Palin Issues Call For Antiabortion 'Feminist Identity' At Fundraiser

In a speech at a fundraising breakfast for the antiabortion group Susan B. Anthony List, former Alaska Gov. and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin told the organization's supporters that they are part of "an emerging, conservative, feminist identity," the Washington Post reports.

SBAL supports the campaigns of politicians who oppose abortion rights, with a focus on female candidates. The group has been working to raise its national profile since the passage of the health reform law (PL 111-148), which many antiabortion advocates hoped would include heavier restrictions on abortion coverage (Gardner, Washington Post, 5/14).

In her speech, Palin gave credit to "feminist foremothers" who "could push a plow and shoot a gun and raise chilren all at the same time," which she said laid the groundwork for the "Western feminism" she supports. Palin added, "For a long time when people thought of feminists, they thought of some faculty lounge at an East Coast women's college."

Palin also discussed her daughter Bristol's unintended pregnancy, saying, "Bristol, being so strong and independent, knew to choose life." She said there is a "pro-woman sisterhood ... telling young women that they are strong enough to handle an unplanned pregnancy and give their children life in addition to pursuing a career and pursing [an] education" (Barr, Politico, 5/14). She also said, "These feminist groups want to tell these women, that, 'No, you're not capable of doing both.' ... It's very hypocritical."

Palin told the group that during her own pregnancy, she questioned her faith after learning that the fetus had Down syndrome. She said the pregnancy was "God whispering in my ear, saying, 'Are you going to trust me? Are you going to walk the walk or are you going to talk the talk?'" (Washington Post, 5/14).


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