Author Archives: Bridget Crawford

What the United States Postal Service Understands that Michigan Law Review Doesn’t

The United States Postal Service seems to understand — in a way that the Michigan Law Review doesn’t (see here) — that gender balance is important.  In choosing “Civil Rights Pioneers” to honor in its commemorative stamp series above, the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminist Legal History, Feminist Legal Scholarship, Feminists in Academia | 1 Comment

Infanti on “Dismembering Families”

Feminist Law Prof Tony Infanti (Pitt) has posted to SSRN his article Dismembering Families.  Here is the abstract: In this paper, I explore how the deduction for extraordinary medical expenses, codified in I.R.C. section 213, furthers domination in American society. … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminist Legal Scholarship, LGBT Rights, Reproductive Rights, Women and Economics | Comments Off on Infanti on “Dismembering Families”

Women’s Scholarship, SSRN and the”Other”Approach to Law

In a recent post it was observed that SSRN downloads for male authors substantially exceed those for authors who are female. Among the many reasons why this difference should be important is the fact that many female authors almost surely … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Academia | 4 Comments

Call for Participation: National Security and Constitutional Law

From the Law Review at my home institution, this call for participation: Call for Articles, Essays, and Book Reviews:  National Security and Constitutional Law Proposals due May 15, 2009 The editors of Pace Law Review invite proposals from scholars, researchers, … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Call for Papers or Participation | Comments Off on Call for Participation: National Security and Constitutional Law

Genetic Mother May Adopt Child Birthed by Life Partner

Manhattan Surrogate Court Judge Kristin Booth Glen has issued a decision (here) in the case of In re Sebastian.  Surrogate Glen approved the issuance of a certificate of adoption to the genetic mother of a child gestated and delivered by … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Families, LGBT Rights, Reproductive Rights | Comments Off on Genetic Mother May Adopt Child Birthed by Life Partner

Death of Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick

  Duke University Press issued a statement (here) about the death yesterday of Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick.   I think everything we do as critical thinkers about gender and sexuality draws on her work, either directly or indirectly, consciously or unconsciously. … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminists in Academia | Comments Off on Death of Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick

Male Infertility: Let’s See if the Next Study Gets Any Funding

I was looking at back issues of the  American Journal of Human Genetics for my current research project (on surrogacy and taxation – I jest not), and I came across this  article: “Human Male Infertility Caused by Mutations in the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Science, Reproductive Rights | Comments Off on Male Infertility: Let’s See if the Next Study Gets Any Funding

Nadya Suleman’s Art

A few days ago, in”A Pole-Dancing Mother of 14,”my colleague Bridget Crawford took strong issue with the view that”a woman who puts her body on display (in a lingerie contest, as a topless performer or as a mother of 14) … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Academia, Feminism and Law, Women and Economics | Comments Off on Nadya Suleman’s Art

CFP: Gender, Sport, and the Olympics (deadline: May 15, 2009)

From the Feminist Law Profs mailbox, this call for papers: The editors of   thirdspace: a journal of feminist theory and culture (a Canada-based, peer-reviewed journal) invite submissions for our forthcoming issue on gender, sport, and theOlympics. Prompted by the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Call for Papers or Participation, Feminism and Sports | Comments Off on CFP: Gender, Sport, and the Olympics (deadline: May 15, 2009)

Not Your Grandmother’s Library of Congress

The Library of Congress now has its own YouTube Channel (here)! For law profs looking for video clips to supplement teaching materials, this may become a valuable resource in the future.  For now, the channel has clips of discussions by … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Law Teaching | Comments Off on Not Your Grandmother’s Library of Congress

LGBT Families to Roll the Eggs

In response to a “reach out” by President Obama, LGBT families have been encouraged to apply for tickets for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, according to the Family Equality Council.  That organization  previously organized LGBT families to participate … Continue reading

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on LGBT Families to Roll the Eggs

For the Feminist Seder

The kos miriam or “Miriam’s Cup” is a cup placed on the seder table next to Elijah’s.  The cup — filled with water — honors the story of Miriam’s well, given to the Jewish people during 40 years of wandering … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Religion | Comments Off on For the Feminist Seder

Living Well With Lupus: One Woman’s Journey

It began on May 23, 1996. A searing pain shot through my right hip as I stepped into a car. The pain spread into the other hip and my knees by nightfall. The day before I had completed a year … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminists in Academia, Women's Health | 2 Comments

The Vermont State Flag

    The words on the Vermont state flag?  “Freedom and Unity.”  Beautiful. -Bridget Crawford

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on The Vermont State Flag

Moss and Huang on “How the New Economics Can Improve Discrimination Law, and How Economics Can Survive the Demise of the ‘Rational Actor'”

Feminist Law Professor Scott Moss (Colorado) and Peter H. Huang (Temple) have posted to SSRN their article, “How the New Economics Can Improve Discrimination Law, and How Economics Can Survive the Demise of the ‘Rational Actor.’” Here is a portion … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminist Legal Scholarship | Comments Off on Moss and Huang on “How the New Economics Can Improve Discrimination Law, and How Economics Can Survive the Demise of the ‘Rational Actor'”

A Pole-Dancing Mother of 14: Performing Gender (Topless)

The Boston Herald reports here that Nadya Suleman, the California mother of octuplets, performed once in a topless club: Back when she was 18, Suleman was in an”investigative”stage of her life and thought she’d try out exotic dancing. “I had … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Culture, Feminism and Science, Reproductive Rights | Comments Off on A Pole-Dancing Mother of 14: Performing Gender (Topless)

Ricks Appointed to Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations

Via the Legal Writing Prof Blog (here), good news about Feminist Law Prof Sarah Ricks: Professor Sarah Ricks of Rutgers School of Law-Camden has been appointed by the mayor of Philadelphia to serve on the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Academia | Comments Off on Ricks Appointed to Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations

Ricks and Litman Elected to ALI

Feminist Law Profs Sarah Ricks (Rutgers-Camden) and Jessica Litman (Michigan) have been elected to the American Law Institute.  Sarah and Jessica join several other Feminist Law Profs who were elected earlier this academic year (blogged  here). Here’s a bit of … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Chutes and Ladders | Comments Off on Ricks and Litman Elected to ALI

Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law Firms

Representatives from 30+ law firms in Chicago have formed the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law Firms: The Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law Firms is a non-profit membership association bringing together women’s initiatives in law firms of all sizes … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legal Profession | Comments Off on Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law Firms

Elizabeth Bartholet Critiques Save the Children

Harvard Law Professor Elizabeth Bartholet has spoken against the decision of a court in Malawi denying Madonna’s request to adopt a child there: Spokesman for Save the Children, UK, Dominic Nutt, says that Mercy and other children in her position … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Families, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on Elizabeth Bartholet Critiques Save the Children

Robson on Iowa Ruling

Feminist Law Prof Ruthann Robson (CUNY) has an excellent analysis of the Iowa same-sex marriage case here at Constitutional Law Prof blog. -Bridget Crawford

Share
Posted in LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Robson on Iowa Ruling

Afghan Law Legalizing Marital Rape

The BBC covers it here.   This is a major human rights violation. -Bridget Crawford

Share
Posted in Coerced Sex, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on Afghan Law Legalizing Marital Rape

‘Cause Women Aren’t Good at Math

From today’s Boston Globe, this story about a firing at Harvard: In the letter, dated May 12 of that year [2002], [a new employee of the Harvard endowment management team, Iris] Mack told Summers that she was “deeply troubled and … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Women and Economics | Comments Off on ‘Cause Women Aren’t Good at Math

In Flagrante Depicto: Film In/On Trial

That’s the name of this conference to be held in New York City on May 7-8, 2009.  Presenters include Feminist Law Profs Regina Austin (Penn) speaking about “Documentation, Documentary, and the Law: What Should Be Made of Video Victim Impact … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Upcoming Conferences | 1 Comment

Sexting and the Magdalene Factor

The news in recent weeks has reported a spate of child-porn prosecutions against teens accused of”sexting”:sending nude or semi-nude pictures of themselves to friends and classmates:typically using their cell phones. According to a study by the National Campaign to Prevent … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Culture, Feminism and Technology | 1 Comment

Feminist Law Prof “Teachers of the Year”

The AALS quarterly newsletter arrived today, with its list of the “Teachers of the Year” from each member school.   Congratulations to the Feminist Law Profs who received that honor (L-R): Julia Belian (Detroit-Mercy); Mary Clark (American); Susan Kuo (South … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Chutes and Ladders | Comments Off on Feminist Law Prof “Teachers of the Year”

Reach Out and Touch Some Public Art

There are many wonderful public artworks in New York.  My favorite pieces of permanent public art include the Jean Dubuffet sculpture at One Chase Manhattan Plaza and the Dante sculpture across from Lincoln Center.  In 1993, there was a temporary installation … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Bloggenpheffer | 1 Comment

Red Tide Rising: Online Erotica in Conservative America

People in red states are significantly more likely to subscribe to internet pornography. At least this seems to be the upshot of a recent study by Harvard economist Benjamin Edelman (here) [and blogged by Professor Ann Bartow here].   According … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Coerced Sex, Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, Feminism and Technology | 5 Comments

Gender Law Journals vs. Women’s Law Journals: What’s In a Name?

Inside HigherEd carried this interview  under the heading, “The Evolution of American Women’s Studies.”  In it, Alice E. Ginsberg, the editor of    The Evolution of American Women’s Studies: Reflections on Triumphs, Controversies and Change  (Palgrave Macmillan), talks about how … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Academia, Feminist Legal Scholarship, Feminists in Academia, Law Schools | Comments Off on Gender Law Journals vs. Women’s Law Journals: What’s In a Name?

John A. Humbach on “Pornography in the Cockpit: Did Common Sense Take Flight?”

Sexual harassment is a serious matter, and ought to be treated as such. Women (and men) who need to go out into the workplace for a living are legally entitled to do so without rude reactions to make them deeply … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and the Workplace | 5 Comments

Follow Feminist Law Professors on Twitter

You can subscribe to our Twitter feed  here. We Feminist Law Profs can tweet ourselves. We don’t need someone else to do it for us.  (See today’s NY Times on “ghost twitterers” here.) -Bridget Crawford

Share
Posted in Blog Administration | Comments Off on Follow Feminist Law Professors on Twitter

Burger Pornography Starring a Former Vegetarian

In a new commercial for Hardee’s “Western Bacon Thickburger,” Padma Lakshmi, former vegetarian and current host of reality TV show Top Chef, strolls through a farmer’s market and takes up residence on an urban stoop.  She takes a burger out … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Baconpheffer, Feminism and Animal Law, Feminism and Culture | Comments Off on Burger Pornography Starring a Former Vegetarian

Breast is Best?

Hannah Rosin expresses her doubts here in The Atlantic.   Here’s the intro: In certain overachieving circles, breast-feeding is no longer a choice:it’s a no-exceptions requirement, the ultimate badge of responsible parenting. Yet the actual health benefits of breast-feeding are … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Women's Health | Comments Off on Breast is Best?

These Pictures Tell Thousands of Words

  Hanne Dahl, Denmark’s representative to the European Parliament, brought her child to work yesterday (photos by Vincent Kessler, Reuters). Dahl’s EU Parliament page is here.  According to the website maintained by the Alliance for a Europe of Democracies (here): … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Sisters In Other Nations | 2 Comments

Nine Children, Nine Mothers, One Father: Why Isn’t He the Novem-Dad?

The  media dubbed Nadya Suleman the “octo-mom,” but noone calls Travis Henry  the “novem-dad.”   The former NFL running back has fathered nine children with nine different women in six years (see NY Times story here). He is engaged to … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Race and Racism, Sexism in the Media | 9 Comments

Financial Scandals Hit the Surrogacy Market

Slate has more details here about funds missing from trust accounts that a California surrogacy agency recommended its clients establish to facilitate payments to surrogates. The Slate article, entitled “Fetal Foreclosure,” asks in its subtitle, “If You Stop Paying a … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Families, Reproductive Rights, Women and Economics | 2 Comments

Octomom: Social Factoring the Numbers (Or, LCD meets OCD)

In recent weeks the airwaves have sizzled with stories about Nadya Suleman, the California woman who gave birth to octuplets conceived via assisted reproductive technology. In doing so, Suleman breached numerous mainstream social norms of motherhood. First and foremost, in … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Families, Feminist Legal Scholarship, Race and Racism, Reproductive Rights | Comments Off on Octomom: Social Factoring the Numbers (Or, LCD meets OCD)

Hoarding Babies, Hoarding Animals

I previously blogged (here) about my essay, co-authored with  Lolita Buckner Inniss,  Multiple Anxieties: Breaching Race, Class and Gender Norms With Assisted Reproduction.  Multiple Anxieties is about is about misplaced attention on women’s bodies.   Focusing on Nadya Suleman, the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Animal Law, Feminism and Culture, Feminism and Families | 1 Comment

Murray on “Criminal Law, Family Law, and the Legal Construction of Intimate Life”

Feminist Law Prof Melissa Murray (Berkeley) has posted to SSRN her article, “Strange Bedfellows: Criminal Law, Family Law, and the Legal Construction of Intimate Life” (forthcoming, Iowa L. Rev.).  Here is the abstract:   This Article focuses on the relationship … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Families, Feminist Legal Scholarship | Comments Off on Murray on “Criminal Law, Family Law, and the Legal Construction of Intimate Life”

“Frontiers in Social Justice Lawyering: Critical Race Revisited,” April 16-17, 2009

This free program will be held at Yale, April 16-17, 2009: In 1997, Yale Law School held a conference on Critical Race Theory (CRT) with some of the founding members of that discipline. Twelve years later, this conference on Critical … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Upcoming Conferences | Comments Off on “Frontiers in Social Justice Lawyering: Critical Race Revisited,” April 16-17, 2009

Trim and Transform? Not That Again…

 This network television ad for the Schick Quattro TrimStyle for Women razor proclaims, “Now it’s easy to shave, trim and transform with just a flip of a handle, whatever your style.”  A female runner passes three small bushes that go … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Culture | 2 Comments

Multiple Anxieties: Breaching Race, Class & Gender Norms With Assisted Reproduction

Lolita Buckner Inniss (Cleveland-Marshall, Ain’t I a Feminist Legal Scholar, Too?, Visiting Prof at Pace Law School) and I have posted to SSRN our working paper, Multiple Anxieties: Breaching Race, Class and Gender Norms With Assisted Reproduction.  Here is the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Culture, Feminism and Families, Feminist Legal Scholarship, Race and Racism, Reproductive Rights, The Overrepresentation of Women, Women and Economics, Women's Health | Comments Off on Multiple Anxieties: Breaching Race, Class & Gender Norms With Assisted Reproduction

Is Women’s History Month History?

Did you know that each year the National Women’s History Project establishes a theme for Women’s History month?  I didn’t.  This year’s theme is “Women taking the lead to save our planet.”   I don’t know if it is me, … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminist Legal History | Comments Off on Is Women’s History Month History?

Report on Global Arc of Justice Conference

Last week the Williams Institute and the International Lesbian and Gay Law Association convened the Global Arc of Justice Conference in Los Angeles.   With participants from forty countries, the conference seems to be the most nationally-diverse gathering of LGBT … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Legal Profession, LGBT Rights, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on Report on Global Arc of Justice Conference

Suzanne Kim on “Marital Naming/Naming Marriage”

Feminist Law Prof Suzanne A. Kim (Rutgers-Newark) has posted to SSRN her article, “Marital Naming/Naming Marriage: Language and Status in Family Law.”  Here is the abstract: What’s in a name? Based on current family law and policy debates, the answer … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminist Legal Scholarship | Comments Off on Suzanne Kim on “Marital Naming/Naming Marriage”

Krawiec on “Price and Pretense in the Baby Market”

Feminist Law Prof Kim  Krawiec has posted to SSRN her essay  “Price and Pretense in the Baby Market,”to be published in  Baby Markets: Money, Morals, and the Neopolitics of Choice (forthcoming Cambridge University Press 2009).  Here’s the abstract of the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminist Legal Scholarship, Reproductive Rights | Comments Off on Krawiec on “Price and Pretense in the Baby Market”

What Third-Wave Feminism Brings to Animal Law

Third-wave feminists reject what they perceive as a perennial”victim”stance in feminist thinking.   (For more on third-wave wave feminism, see here).   More colloquially, third-wave feminists might say that (some) subordination is in the eyes of the beholder, not the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Animal Law | 1 Comment

Robson Reviews Robert L. Tsai’s “Eloquence and Reason”

Over at the Law and Politics Book Review, Feminist Law Prof Ruthann Robson reviews Robert Tsai’s book Eloquence and Reason, Creating a First Amendment Culture.  Robson points out a noticeable absence from Tsai’s work:   My most serious misgiving about … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law | Comments Off on Robson Reviews Robert L. Tsai’s “Eloquence and Reason”

Billie Jean King, “No person should be discounted by their sexuality”

Tennis.com features this interview with Billie Jean King, who was “outed” in 1981 by a former lover.  Here are some highlights/soundbites from the interview: “No person should be discounted by their sexuality or any other reason. You just don’t do … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Culture, LGBT Rights, Sexism in the Media | Comments Off on Billie Jean King, “No person should be discounted by their sexuality”

Columbia J. Gender & Law Symposium, “Gender on the Frontiers”

Don’t forget about the “Gender on the Frontiers” Symposium, upcoming on April 10 at Columbia Law School.   Feminist Law Prof speakers include Linda Fentiman (Pace), Tony Varona (American) and Rebecca Tushnet (Georgetown).  A more readable version of the program … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Upcoming Conferences | Comments Off on Columbia J. Gender & Law Symposium, “Gender on the Frontiers”