exponentI l 4 Vole 2nNe: Summer 1999 ExponentI I EDITORIAL STAFF Editor Jenny Atkinson CONTENTS Design Editor Kate Holbrook Managing Editor Sarah Farmer Database Manager Anne Lantz Gavin From the Editor 3 Jeanne Decker Griffiths Best of Exponent Project Jenny Atkinson Sarah Bush Cheryl Howard Staff: Margaret Atkinson Diane Brown, Sarah Bush, Connie S. Celebrating Exponent II 4 Chow, Nancy T. Dredge, Mikelle Fisher Sue Booth-Forbes Eastley, Kim Egbert, Jennifer Finlayson Fife, Kathryn Kimball, Heather Sundahl Judy Dushku Nancy Dredge Cheryl Howard EXECUTIVE BOARD Kate Holbrook Jeri L. Cardon President Laurel Thatcher Ulrich Karen Call Haglund Karen Haglund Secretary Emma Lou Thayne Robin Zenger Baker Pandora Brewer Treasurer Anna Haglund Mary Ellen Romney MacArthur One Big Group Project 19 Historian Pandora Brewer Jennifer Caylor West Cheryl Howard Members: Sarah Farmer Lynn Matthews Anderson, Linda Andrews, Reflecting on Reflections 21 Jenny Atkinson, Nancy T. Dredge, Suzann Werner Judy Dushku, Sarah Farmer, Anne Lantz Linda Hoffman Kimball Gavin, Kate Holbrook, Eileen Perry Robin Baker Lambert, Sylvia Russell, Carrel Hilton A Family Nursing Sheldon, Barbara Streeper Taylor Claudia Bushman Connection 23 Heather Symmes Cannon Kathleen Kaufman & Dianne Knorr Exponent II (ISSN 1094-7760) is published quarterly by Exponent II Incorporated, a Judith Curtis non-profit corporation with no official Exponent IT: Mormon’s connection with The Church of Jesus Christ Lynda Avery of Latter-day Saints. Articles published Stealth Alternative 29 represent the opinions of authors only and not necessarily those of the editor or staff. Jan Shipps Kris Haglund Letters to Exponent // or its editors are assumed intended for publication in whole Grethe Peterson VOICE Celebrates 10 Years or in part and may therefore be used for such purposes. Lael Littke at BYU 34 Subscriptions USA $15/yr; International Linda Wilkins $23/yr. Send address changes to Exponent II, Carrel Sheldon PO. Box 128, Arlington, MA 02476. Copyright © 1999 by Exponent II, Incorporated. All rights reserved. The purpose of Exponent I/ is to promote sisterhood by providing a forum for Mormon women to share Cover Design by their life experiences in an atmosphere of trust and acceptance. Our common bond is our connection to the Cheryl Howard Mormon Church and our commitment to women in the Church. The courage and spirit of women challenge and inspire us to examine and shape the direction of our lives. We are confident that this open forum will result in positive change. We publish this paper in celebration of the strength and diversity of women. 2 Fall 1998 Exponent || FROM THE EDITOR One of the most common responses we magazine. I wondered why we didn’t share ideas about how to make positive hear from people when they contact expect more. changes in our lives and communities. Exponent II is that they look forward I know that in some ways we do expect In this issue we celebrate twenty-five to the paper because it reminds them more. I also believe that the people who years of Exponent II. What an amazing that there are like-minded people out see Exponent II as a lifeline may not be communal accomplishment! As women there in the world. People often describe settling for such meager consolation. sent me articles—one by one—for this the paper as a “breath of fresh air,” or I know that for some of us, our hopes issue, I was struck by the theme of a “lifeline.” These comments have have been dashed often enough that to letting go of fear and listening to always made me happy. I think, continue hoping takes too much energy. ourselves. These stories also teach me “Hooray for Exponent II for providing I hope that if Exponent II feels like a about expecting more from myself. such a forum.” lifeline, it will give us the courage and Additionally in this issue we hear This month, though, I listened to an the strength to expect more. (And if you from two women who talk about the interview with long-time feminist want Exponent II more than quarterly, connections of women across genera- Germaine Greer, whose new book, visit us any time at: tions. We print Jan Shipp’s speech about The Whole Woman, has just been pub- http://sites.netscape.net/exponent2. Exponent II and its role in Mormon lished. She talked about how she thinks Sign the guest book and join in the history and a speech given by Linda that women have settled for an illusion conversation with Exponent readers Wilkins at another celebration of of liberation —not the real thing, how around the world.) I hope that the longevity — VOICE’s Ten Year our expectations are still too low. It paper can inspire us to have open and Anniversary Commemoration. made me think about those Exponent honest conversations with people in comments a little differently. I felt sad our day-to-day life. I also hope that in that our “lifeline” came only quarterly, addition to Exponent II being a place to that we had to feel good about making commiser—a wthiech I believe is an a connection with someone through a important role—it will also be a place to Submissions to Exponent I! Contribute to Exponent II. We welcome personal essays, articles, poetry, fiction, book reviews and artwork for consideration. To submit an essay, please call, fax, or e-mail: We focus on—but do not print exclusively —m anuscripts Exponent II that are women-related and Mormon-related. We publish P.O. Box 128 the work of experienced as well as beginning writers and Arlington, MA 02476 have editors who are glad to assist authors through the (617) 868-3464 writing process. Please type your submiss—i doounblse - ExponentI]@mit.edu spaced and single-sided, and, if possible, send them on IBM compatible or Mac disks. Include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (when available). Keep a copy of your work because manuscripts will not be returned. Exponent || Summer 1999 3 CELEBRATING EXPONENT II Reflections fretted for months about what we had am going to stay in it or leave. The great said and how it would be received. We shift for me is that now there is no of an Exponent Crone relived each question and answer we trauma at all and no fear of retribution had uttered, worrying about whom we for openly saying what I believe. And Last summer Jenny Atkinson, Karen might have offended or who would Iam neither more “toned down” nor Haglund, and I were interviewed for a agree or disagree with us or if we might more circumspect nor more brief. TV program about Mormons in Boston. lose a temple recommend, as well as It was great fun to talk for well over an Part of this is age, I am sure. But part any number of other deeply feared rejec- hour about the experience of being a of it is Exponent II. Because I have had tions or punishments that we thought Mormon woman and about why there the benefit of these twenty-five years might come down on our heads and needs to be an Exponent II. It was also a of companionship and affirmation from ruin our lives. It was traumatic. And, lovely experience to share with women wonderful Mormon women, I simply indeed, we were criticized by some, who exemplify what this paper has do not care about the opinions of “Salt condemned by others, ostracized and meant to me. Both Jenny and Karen Lake,” or this leader or that one, or a labeled by many. It is appalling now are the kinds of women that Exponent II former visiting teacher or whomever. to remember how many of us were has always attracted. They are safe, I, of course, appreciate loving praise, so battered by the events then. warm, woman-centered and woman- and I am taught by criticism, but I am respecting, honest, non-judgmental, So here I was twenty-some years later not harmed by either. And I honestly lively, and they don’t play games. I discussing Exponent II and the burdens believe this comes in part from all the thought how lucky I was to have had of being a Mormon woman, and we had years of discussing this very issue and friends like these Exponent women similar reactio—n asnd it was fine. from coming to feel more accepted and over the years. Within forty-eight hours of the airing comfortable as a woman in the Church of the show last summer, I had a dozen through being a part of Exponent II. Also significant was the fact that the or so loving calls full of praise and interview was long but only about I am on sabbatical from my teaching support for what I had said, and then I three minutes made it into the TV and for the past five months I have been had the expected calls from this person program. It had been edited to emphasize writing a book about Romania, while and that reporting to me on all the a couple of themes we had discussed, living in Ireland. I have been happily people that had been “deeply disturbed.” particularly the message that there are in residence at the writer’s and artist’s Hurrah, I thought, as I smiled, knowing many conflicts for Mormon women and retreat owned by former Exponent II that it did not matter to me what all editor, Sue Booth-Forbes. As she has that, in the end, it is difficult to be a these critics thought. I said on TV what Mormon and a woman. As I watched been recovering beautifully from her I believed about the challenges the program it crossed my mind to worry difficult marriage and divorce, she has Mormon women live and I did not that some “positive” things I had established this place for people to work feel the least bit battered by the wail where the spirit is based in part on said were edited out, while this more of condemnations. controversial message was emphasized. some values we share from Exponent I realize that what has changed for me days. Among them is a commitment It took me back twenty-some years when is that I am clear now that there are all to “no shaming and blaming.” Here, something similar happened with kinds of people, men and women, in the all are encouraged to say what is true Exponent II, and it made me smile Church, and none of us can or should for each of us and never be fearful of inside to know that I had come a long try to please all or even most of them. judgment. It is a healthy place. way with old anxieties about what When I say what I honestly believe, I mattered with the Church and me. Some people from the Mormon network feel fine about it. If someone criticizes have been among her guests while I Back then I, along with Claudia me or my words, that is fine. It gives me have been living here. Most have been Bushman and other Exponent sisters, more information about what he or she women. What a treat it has been to meet was interviewed by L. Tom Perry, and thinks and feels good about saying. It old friends and some new. In this quiet then Claudia was interviewed by The brings no shame on me. And it has and welcoming place, women feel free Boston Globe about our thoughts on nothing to do with whether the Church to tell their stories. Some are surprising, being Mormon women and about is true or good or decent or whether I and some are not, but they are all rich. Exponent II. After the interviews we 4 Summer 1999 Exponent II | Sisters. It has been a fabulous twenty- Once, faced by a shortage of people five years! available to do a mailing (sticking labels on and bundling the papers according Judy Dushku to locale), I coaxed my visiting father Watertown, Massachusetts into helping us. He was somewhat chagrined to find that he was credited as part of the staff when the next paper “Maverick” Pioneers came out. I think he may have feared that his temple recommend might be When I met the staff of Exponent II in jeopardy for associating with a almost twenty years ago, I found that “maverick” church group. the paper was in the hands of very dynamic women who had vision. These To err was human, to forgive was women were homemakers and career mandatory if we were to continue women who dedicated an extraordi- publishing. Even I who pride myself nary amount of time to creating this on being organized had lapses. At the publication. Initially I felt somewhat first Exponent retreat weekend, I was intimidated by the amount of expertise asked by Renee Tietjen, the art editor, and energy focused on this project; later to take photographs of the event for the I realized that the paper was mostly paper. I decided to use my husband’s created by sheer determination and Minolta—a much fancier camera than love. The women behind it were mine. I took great care to set the film Most of Exponent’s founding mothers pose around extraordinary in that they were willing speed and get the proper focus, never a statue of John Harvard circa 1974: from top Carrel to add another responsibility to already realizing until the guest speakers— Sheldon, Judy Dushku, from /eft, row 1, Joyce Campbell, Stephanie Goodson, Claudia Bushman, full lives. It wasn’t surprising that Esther Peterson and Virginia Sorenson— row 2, Heather Symmes Cannon, Susan Kohler, issues were often late; it was amazing had finished and were strolling off that Mary Ann MacMurray, Carolyn Peters (Person), that they came out at all. It was “hands there was no film in the camera. (Check and Bonnie Horne. on” work. There were committees for out the cover for the Winter 1984 issue What I realize is that I was right when typing, proofing, pasting-up, and for a nice picture of their backs.) I said on TV a year ago that being a mailing. Sometimes these “groups” The paper’s production has progressed, Mormon woman is hard. Over and over consisted of one person whose car was thanks to the computer age. Our I hear it in all the same ways I have out of commission, husband was out of organizational flow chart, which Carrel heard it over the past twenty-five years. town, and two kids were coming down Sheldon occasionally feels compelled I also realize that it is even harder when with the flu. Crisis was often the norm. to map out, seems less complicated. The women have to endure their hard life I remember when the “typing pool” “look” of the paper has changed over experiences feeling alone, without was Stephany Houghton. One hot the years as has the “look” of the staff. support and empathy, understanding afternoon she called me, exhausted. Most of us are now in the above 50 or and affirmation. Many of those who Could I please come watch her tod- below 35 age brackets. It is reassuring to had Exponent-kinds of friends have dler? She had stacks of articles to type me to see younger staff members share weathered the storms with less pain but Sarah had smeared peanut butter the same determination to celebrate and share my enthusiasm for what it into the keyboard. On another occa- the diversity of women and to create means to walk this road with a friend sion, someone had dropped off man- opportunities through the paper for who has those qualities I observe in the uscripts in Stephany’s mailbox. all women to join the discussion. Jennys and Karens of this world. When she went to get them, the mail Being a part of Exponent II, like being Yes, it is hard to be a Mormon woman, was there but the articles were missing. a Mormon, has had an enormous but life is hard, and it is supposed to Suspicious, she walked down the block influence on my life. These women in my be, I believe. The joy is in the living to check out the papers blowing about life have been role models and friends with the struggles prayerfully and in a neighbor’s yard. Apparently the through joys and trials— pioneer sisters peacefully and consciously and in the mailman had been miffed that the box in a new age. company of angels like Exponent had been stuffed with non-stamped women. I love you, My Darling material and had tossed the Exponent II Cheryl Howard articles into the bushes. Arlington, Massachusetts Exponent II Summer 1999 5 In the Beginning I have been receiving Exponent II since the very first issue came off the press. I was living in Chicago near my good friend, Charlotte Johnston. She was sent about one hundred copies of the first issue to help spread the word. She gave me twenty of them to help pass out. When I read the latest issue inviting thoughts about the paper, I felt like the paper had come full circle because there on page four was an article by Mary Johnston, Charlotte’s daughter. What a treat to see the baton move through the generations, from mothers to daughters. My favorite memory of Exponent II was Nai tte ht Exponent |I’s first four editors pose for a picture in 1984: from /eft Claudia Bushman, helping with the “Chicago Issue” years Nancy Dredge, Susan Howe, and Sue Booth-Forbes. ago when different regions of the country were responsible for writing Anna grew up with Exponent II. and knows other women, a woman who most of the articles in a particular issue. Twenty-two years after that first needs and knows the power that My favorite article has always been meeting, we went to the Exponent women have to reach backward and “Mother Killed the Snakes, “ an article Retreat in Hillsboro together. In addition forward and bring each other along. on role reversals in one family. to our annual workshops, talent show, and worship service, that year we Of course I have become aware of this Jeri L. Cardon wanted to pay tribute to Harriet, a grace very gradually. When I was a Piedmont, California member of the family who ran the camp young woman, I wanted my own and who had cared for Exponent since mother to be perfect. Perfect in that she we had started coming in 1983. Harriet would always understand me, always Illuminating Bonds had died of cancer earlier that year. love the things that I loved, always respond in ways that made sense in my On a starry summer night we revived, Twenty five years ago I put my first in her memory, an old Hillsboro tradition world, and most importantly know child in a backpack and headed to an from its days as a girls camp. At the edge and teach me all the enlightened things Exponent II mailing meeting. Anna of Peace Lake sixty of us launched that I wanted to learn. She didn’t hung over the top of her pack in Carrel small wooden blocks, each bearing a always deliver on my expectations, Sheldon’s front hall while I helped sort, lighted candle. As sixty candles floated and I assumed she was useless. bundle, and bag copies of the paper in toward the center of the lake, Anna and When I fell in love with the man who the living room. I don’t remember what I stood together as we all joined in song. would be my husband, I simultaneously was said, but I do remember the talk fell in love with his mother, a woman as was lively, it lasted long past midnight, Karen Haglund opposite from my mother as possible and nobody seemed to be in charge. I Belmont, Massachusetts and, therefore, in my college girl enjoy the thought that both the paper opinion, more credible. She knew what and my daughter have New England beginnings, and that in both are Spiritual shoes to wear with a denim jumper; she knew how to make each person at revived nineteenth century names (Woman’s Exponent for the paper, Offspring a party feel like the center of attention; she was elegant, organized, and utterly Anna Eliza for my daughter’s great- Iam a daughter of Exponent II. I listen rational in the most gracious way. She great-grandmother). and am grateful beyond words I could was a woman who had raised four sons write or speak about this association. I and was eager for daughters. have grown into a woman who needs 6 Summer 1999 Exponent || As we grew closer, an interesting and I felt as though I was being small children in an isolated Southern thing happened. The more I objectively enveloped by God—God suddenly as California neighborhood, I was starving and lovingly recognized my mother-in- Mother. for sisterhood when my first lifeline | law’s many gifts and inevitable limita- arrived: the new Mormon journal, I have seemingly hovered on the tions, the more I turned and looked at Dialogue. Through it I made wonderful periphery of this group ever since. I my own mother with dawning maturity. new LDS friends (including Mary show up at this or that, read the paper I saw her spontaneity, her passion and Bradford, the future co-grandmother of and the e-mails, and have gone on other strength, how good her spaghetti sauce my daughter’s children), and I shed retreats. But whatever my physical was, the way she threw a ball hard and much of my embarrassment about attendance, my spiritual involvement straight. I realized that I had absorbed belonging to a “peculiar people.” has been anything but tangential. What goodness and wonder never attributed I realized that first weekend was that Then Exponent II appeared, like a to my mother’s influence. Finally, I felt what I had been discovering in my wonderful aunt you never had a chance in awe of both women and thought family life—the admiration for my to know, full of family lore, good stories, myself particularly charmed to have mother-in-law, the newfound apprecia- and comforting words. And it belonged such a pair mothering me. tion for my mother—was the beginning to us, the sisters who needed it —I, my About this time, I went to my first of a much more profound wisdom. mother, my best friends in Pasadena— Exponent retreat. I was eight months At Exponent, I have mothers all we all took our turns sharing our pregnant, missing both of my moms around me, women with experiences feelings and ideas with our sisters of terribly and consumed with a sense of and capabilities unique and essential. Exponent. It was a pre e-mail virtual isolation. What good was all this Women teaching women was what I support group! insight and connection if they were was ready for back then and what I When Exponent II turned ten, my 2400 miles away? I was talked into continue to long for. The perfection I writer/sister-in-spirit Lael Littke and I going for the weekend by friends, had expected from my mother as a traveled across the country to sleep in enticed with tales of green trees and child is present in each paper and at cold beds and feast on warm feelings writing time. I was depressed enough each retreat in the collective stories together at the Exponent IJ Reunion in to go on the promise of fried chicken waiting to be told and heard, each New Hampshire. Could that have alone. I ended up on long walks voice speaking a particular truth, each been 15 years ago? divulging secrets, listening with rapt piece part of the whole embrace. Exponent has made me proud to be a recognition to seminars and testimonies, Woman and a Sister. I thank you with taking endless showers with the sun Pandora Brewer shining on my hair. Cambridge, Massachusetts love and gratitude for carrying our banner into the 21st century. I remember a blue butterfly tattoo, sun dresses with bare shoulders Beauty with Age Mary Ellen Romney MacArthur showing, women hunched over the Eugene, Oregon fire with low voices. “Grow old along with me-—the best is yet to be...” I remember a doctor’s story about a A Haven for patient who scrubbed herself so hard What hogwash that couplet is, at least before an appointment that she was in my short-lived family. But in All Voices sore, just to be clean enough. The doctor Exponent’s case, it seems to be the truth! cried for this woman who did not Here I thought the old dear was dodder- My fondest memories of Exponent II understand that she was worthy of care ing to her end along with me, but she are the friendships I made in the early in any condition. I remember a widow’s has a great new lease on life. Perhaps I days of working on the paper —when grief at the loss of intimacy, a woman’s too need a new editor. we had to do everything by hand. pain at feeling too big, another’s sense How could our daughters know of the Everything meant licking the mailing of alienation and ultimate joy in loving spiritual and intellectual isolation so labels, stacking the bundles by zip another woman. Divorce was experi- many of us young mothers of the 50s codes, and tying them up with string. enced as financial ruin, new names, There was always at least one article and 60s felt in our scattered wards and midriff tops, and unwieldy freedom. I that sparked our interest and kept us branches? I never lived or went to heard singing voices nearly professional going as we licked, stacked, and school in Utah. Married to a non- and others mostly lip-synched. One bagged. What was our Mother in member, tied down at home with woman wrapped her arms around me, Exponent || Summer 1999 7 Heaven really like? Nobody doubted we had one. Or what would we do when we had the priesthood? Some thought women never would have the priesthood while others felt they already had it. Although some concerns have changed and the paper has become updated and easier to publish, the real meaning of Exponent II has stayed the same. It is a paper by women for women of independent speech and thought, a place where everyone is welcome and all voices are free to be heard. Sylvia Russell Medford, Massachusetts Exponent Retreat celebrating the paper’s tenth birthday. Exponent on my belly-dancing free-spirited mother of assume our church has need of her Mind three who took me under her wing. voice, and then to make it so. To discover When I hit my twenties and decided that one can be both a feminist and a I grew up thinking Exponent II was as to buy my own subscription to woman who loves the Church. To know natural a staple in good Mormon homes Exponent II, it became my quest to that “God” includes a very real mother. as the Ensign. The paper was always on someday get a letter to the editor To know that being a woman is a our coffee table, and I used to delight in published —to see my name in print, marvelous adventure into joy. seeing my “Mommy’s” name in print to be like mom, to assert to the world As soon as Lilly learns English, I plan whenever she had an article published. that I belonged to this amazing group to get her a subscription to the paper— I assumed everyone read the paper, so of women whose minds soared in I naturally assumed she was famous. fascinating directions. I sent in my letter, after all, wouldn’t Exponent II make a terrific sixth birthday present?! Perhaps Famous mommies are very cool, even hoping to soon see my name in type, in another 25 years my daughter can if the fame is self-created. but it never happened. Alas, I reasoned write her own Exponent II memories in I started out as a little girl who skimmed that hundreds of letters must be celebration of its 50th year. the pages of Exponent II looking for received, so there simply wasn’t space familiar names and interesting pictures. for mine. But I never gave up hope! Thank you, Exponent II, for giving me hope and a safe place to come home As a teen I advanced to reading the When I moved to Boston and discovered to. And thank you Founding Mothers articles, excited that there was a place that many Exponent staffers belonged for having the courage and chutzpah where women discussed the issues | to my ward, I felt ’d entered Zion. They to reignite a flame that never should pondered but couldn’t bring up in intimidated me more than a little, but have been extinguished. To life! Young Women’s without confusing after an open invitation —and a year and irking my poor Laurels teacher. later—I’m now on the staff and Board. Sarah Farmer Then again, perhaps it was my purple Is it possible I’ve attained Nirvana?! hair and affinity for wearing chains that Brookline, Massachusetts I believe my favorite memories of scared her... Ah, the misunderstood. Exponent II are the ones I’m now creating. Confessions Somehow I lost touch with Exponent I can’t wait for the daughter I’m during my college years, though I adopting (Lilly) to get to an age where I of an Anti-Molly certainly could have used the affirmation can take her to an Exponent retreat and that there were women who shared my share with her the strength and hope I Twenty-two years ago when I was deep voice as there didn’t seem to be any in gain from living aloud with my in the midst of raising four busy small my Los Angeles ward other than the Exponent sisters. I want her, too, to children, my sister-in-law brought her sister’s Exponent II to my home for me 8 Summer 1999 Exponent || S—— to read some articles on infertility and seventh issue of Exponent II ever printed. What does the future hold? Your adoption. Because two of my children I had saved it for 25 years! grandmother looks into her crystal ball are adopted, Saara knew that I would and sees many good years to come. I The first time I discovered Exponent II, be interested in the candid experiences see a long line of crisp issues as steady I was a new student at BYU, browsing shared by the women in this little as Duncan’s regal progeny. I see the shelves for something wonderful, paper. Saara was right. I identified with additional publications: the anthology, enlightening, and of course, educational the articles, but more importantly I a collection of new longer essays, a to read. I recall my excitement over discovered that I was not a solo Anti- collection of poetry, how-to-do-it books finding this unique paper that focused Molly Mormon. Others were willing on several subjects, a directory of X2ers. not only on women’s issues but Mormon to tell of their unorthodoxy, admit I see activities binding the group closer women’s issues. I was thrilled to read mistakes, desires, and unfilled expec- together: a speakers’ bureau, a road women’s voices speaking honestly and tations. Other women were sounding show in which X2ers take a program to articulately about topics I cared about. assertive and vocal, and were taking My 1976 issue included a forum address several sites, the annual presentation of control of their own lives. Others were awards —I even see the medal presented by Eloise Bell entitled: “Feminism at nauseated by the mention of with the tree of the knowledge of good BYU.” Where else would I have found Homemaking Meeting and, wonder of and evil and the enameled red apple of such an article? wonders, some women in Mormondom experience on a red ribbon. I see the were admitting that they were not even As a freshman, I must have held a adoption of a special insignia marking secret hope that someday I could be baking bread! More were identifying the initiated. What is it? A new costume part of such an exciting and history- inequalities in the Church, challenging like the bloomer dress? A tatoo? A henna making adventure as Exponent II. When old traditions and myths, and claiming bracelet? No, I guess I don’t see that. my husband’s job brought us to Boston a tie to the feminist movement. I hung I see an effort to articulate and list a “must not be disturbed” sign with the in 1990, it was only a matter of weeks our desires, some codification of the before I had found my way to this arrival of all new Exponent II’s, read- conditions and events we would like group. Since then, I have been ing every issue straight through to see happen. Some individual and while savoring the delicious taste of enriched over and over by working, group master plans. What do Mormon playing, struggling, and dreaming the unregulated and uncorrelated women want? If we could write out our with my Exponent sisters. female stories. Exponent II has helped wishes, debate them, and work toward me see a way to remain active in the I now own a box of Exponent II’s dating a consensus, we could forge a document Church without relinquishing my own back to its origins. I feel fortunate to that would make a difference. identity and power. My favorite be part of its history. friends are found on the pages of In the meantime, ladies, Carry on! That Exponent I. Thank you. Thank you. Robin Zenger Baker contradictory mantra encourages self- less dedication while it also legitimizes Belmont, Massachusetts raising a fuss. Suzann Werner Gilbert, Arizona Looking to the Future Claudia Bushman New York City, New York A Place in Happy Birthday, X2, now grown into Exponent I| a lovely young lady, no longer easily An Exponent !/ shaken and embarrassed, but wise and strong. These coming years of your Memory and Legacy Recently, old copies of Exponent II were maturity will continue to bring forth offered for sale to anyone interested in coming to collect them from Jenny accomplishments and products no one I remember one day over 20 years ago Atkinson’s attic. I hurried over to get as would have dared imagine at your birth. sitting on a stone bench in the little complete a set of old issues as possible. Carefully nurtured and taught by a garden by Arlington’s public library I brought them home and got out the succession of mothers and governesses, reading the Exponent II mail. It was an you have tried out many styles of old copies of Exponent II 1 had saved interlude of solitude in the hectic, busy and began sorting each stack chrono- behavior, and you are still learning and life of a young mother, and I was struck logically. One issue caught my eye. It experimenting today. Your recent make- by the contrast to the lives of many of was addressed to my freshman dorm at over gives you a svelter, cleaner look— the writers. There were women who BYU and was dated 1976. It was the stripped for action, one might say. felt isolated in their wards because Exponent || Summer 1999 9 they were single or working moms or several younger friends. I think that is such moments over the years and older or more educated. There were something we all need to do—spread introduced me to many friends. And women who felt smothered by the the word so a third generation will be what friends! Warm, bright, funny, kind conservatism in their wards. There able to help celebrate when the 50th women who love God and yet feel were some women who felt thwarted anniversary comes around. places where Mormonism pinches their in their ambitions by the pressure to souls in one way or another. How stay home with young children. There Judith Curtis often I’ve been relieved to discover were women who were afraid to speak Phoenix, Arizona that at least one person somewhere has their minds if they had doubts or had the same experience I’m having questions. All these women found a and survived to tell the tale—and tell it A Gift From a sympathetic voice in Exponent II, and I well. Exponent friends have comforted, Friend felt overwhelmed by the need that our enlightened, provoked, and sustained little paper addressed. me in my growing up as a Mormon The friend who introduced me to and as a feminist and as a woman. In the intervening years, I’ve experienced Exponent II will be forever special to What a relief and a delight it has been the loneliness of the single parent and, me, just for that one act. It came at a to discover how wrong I was when “I more recently, of the older single time when I needed to know that I thought that only 1...” woman. I’ve experienced a ward didn’t have to be a “Molly Mormon,” where I didn’t fit in and another where I and I have welcomed each issue with Kris Haglund learned to hold back my more liberal great joy. When we moved to New Ardmore, Pennsylvania opinions. My experience in the Arlington York, my subscription got “lost,” and I library garden comes back to me when went for some time without an issue. I’m feeling especially isolated and I Remembering Exponent I] When we got it straightened out and I know I’m not alone. This memory gives received that first issue, I literally 25 Years Later me the comfort I need to persevere and danced for joy all over the house. My appreciate the richness of my life even The year Exponent II was born was one biggest dilemma is whether to drop though it doesn’t fit the pattern of the of many conflicts. I remember the voic- everything and just sit down and read “Proclamation on the Family.” es of students protesting the Vietnam the whole thing, or savor an article a War in Harvard Yard and on the day. Exponent II has taught me that I Heather Symmes Cannon Cambridge Commons. I remember when can have an opinion that doesn’t Lancaster, Pennsylvania the SDS (Students for a Democratic necessarily match all the others in Society) closed down Harvard. I my ward or LDS community. I have remember the trashing of Harvard Spreading the Word learned to be more empathetic with Square, and my husband’s call others who have problems that I am encouraging me to leave our home at I have observed with interest as blessed not to have. I believe I have 95 Irving Street and take the children Exponent II has shifted generations learned to be less judgmental. And of during the last few years. Not only the course, the great joy of being “pub- to my aunt’s home in Brookline. format but the tone is different as lished” a couple times has certainly This was the world swirling around younger women write about issues that boosted my ego. Thanks to all who our lives when Exponent II came to life. have resulted from changes in our society make this great publication possible. Many of us (LDS stay-at-home moms) since the publication was born out of the were often asked rather condesendingly, desperation, frustation, and anger of Lynda Avery “Don’t you do anything other than stay the time. Recent issues seem to speak Massena, New York at home with your kids? ““ Many women with a sense of entitlement as though felt a high level of discomfort about the changes we fought for in the early Onlysleeeee the direction of the women’s movement years have all happened. Some of them which seemed to exclude the value of have, but there is still much to be done. home and family. Yes, that was where C.S. Lewis wrote that “friendship Iam delighted that Exponent II has lasted I was, but time wasted, never. Dull, begins at the moment one person says long enough for new blood to take over, never. Exhausting, always. to another, ‘What, you too? I thought but I regret that there are still so few that only I.. .’.” My “conversation” Claudia Bushman mobilized us to who have heard of it or read it. This with Exponent II has brought many come together and talk about our last Christmas I sent subscriptions to 10 Summer 1999 Exponent || |