Staben’s support for women’s rights sets good standard for UI
In a red state like Idaho, University of Idaho President Chuck Staben’s recent public endorsement of feminism is both refreshing and welcomed.
Donning a black T-shirt with pink lettering that read, “This is what a feminist looks like,” Staben spoke at a Women’s Studies class before attending a staff event.
As a state leader, it is a political and social statement, one that should be noticed by many on campus and throughout the state.
Public support like Staben displayed is unusual for university presidents and is just the message both UI and the state need to move forward in reducing the gender gap and promoting equality among the sexes.
Staben was given the shirt after he addressed issues of sexual assault in his weekly Friday Letter Sept. 12.
“This is a topic of particular importance to me,” Staben wrote. “Last year, I was challenged and inspired by educator Jackson Katz’ TED Talk, which frames violence against women, children and other men as a men’s issue — something all men must address, but particularly those in leadership positions. Katz specifically called out university presidents as people who can set priorities at their institutions and educate the young people they influence.”
Staben’s outward expression and support for feminism is rare in people of his professional standing — particularly males. To do so is to risk alienating a portion of the population that is vocally opposed to the feminist movement. But Staben did it without a second thought.
The average female worker in Idaho makes 75.2 cents to every dollar earned by their male counterparts, according to a 2013 study by the National Women’s Law Center.
Women also make up a mere 26.7 percent of the Idaho Legislature.
UI has its own problems with closing its gender gap. Women are underrepresented in STEM fields, there is a wage gap among employees and there are few female officials in the upper ranks of UI administration.
Although Staben’s outward support is welcomed, his real support will be shown through his actions. Using the power of his office, it will be up to him to step up when the opportunity to close the gender gap presents itself.
Hopefully, his support will be a sign to others on campus to move forward on this issue and remove much of the stigma that has come to be associated with the word.
Many were surprised by Staben’s outward support of feminism, but it’s clear he doesn’t view it as anything out of the ordinary — a sign his position on the issue is authentic, rather than a public relations move or an effort to please. The real Chuck Staben is a feminist and the University of Idaho president. In an era where feminists are categorized as bitter man-haters, it’s refreshing to see a prominent white male express his support for the movement.
“‘Of course I’m a feminist,’ and that sums up my own attitude about it,” Staben said. “Of course you should respect women and women’s rights — it’s just a given, and it seems to me that more people should be saying, ‘Of course I’m a feminist, aren’t you?'”
–RT