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Schlafly, president of the Eagle Forum and an author, discussed the “Curtain Falling on Feminist Follies” with about 150 students in an hourlong speech sponsored by College Republicans, Young Americans Foundation and the Associated Student Government.
Schlafly said feminists have “fallen on hard times,” referring to the recently married Gloria Steinem and Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), whom Schlafly said made her career “the old-fashioned way – she married it.”
“Feminism really is a disease. You should avoid it,” she said. “It is contagious. You might catch it.”
James Strong, president of College Republicans, said the group invited Schlafly because of her ardently conservative views.
“You infrequently get a socially conservative view on college campuses,” said Strong, a Weinberg junior. “Schlafly represents that.”
Schlafly said men and women are different in ways that prevent them from doing the same types of work, especially in occupations requiring manual labor and physical strength. Such differences, she said, cannot be reconciled through feminism.
“There are a lot of differences that changes in the times haven’t changed,” she said.
During a question-and-answer session following the speech, many students challenged Schlafly’s conservative views.
Lexi Smith, a Weinberg junior, garnered applause when she asked Schlafly if she discounted the benefits feminism had brought in her professional life, such as the ability to have a career while raising a family.
“I didn’t benefit from the feminist view at all,” Schlafly answered, to more applause. She said her role as a wife and mother did not prevent her from pursuing a career.
“It’s not like I was chained to my stove,” she said. “I was allowed to make phone calls. I was allowed to write.”
She also said she is now reaping the benefits of having a family.
“Children and grandchildren still offer the best fulfillment,” Schlafly said. “I’m right now experiencing the joy of 14 grandchildren, and let me tell you, it’s like being born again.”
Led by the Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Alliance, about 20 students from campus organizations protested Schlafly’s speech. Protesters demonstrated outside Norris, holding placards and circulating a petition affirming their “outrage and indignation” that someone with Schlafly’s views would be brought to campus.
Matthew Barbour, president of BGALA, said Schlafly is an enemy of many minorities.
“She was utterly flippant and dismissive about issues such as rape and violence,” said Barbour, a Weinberg junior. “I’m horrified by that.”
Adele Nicholas, who considers herself both a Republican and a feminist, agreed with Schlafly that men and women are different but disagreed with her general views on feminism.
“She was right, but that doesn’t mean that feminism is evil,” said Nicholas, a Medill freshman. “It doesn’t have to be a man-hating bitterness.”
Schlafly said she enjoyed her evening at Northwestern despite the vociferous protesters.
“That’s what makes it lively,” she said.
