RHRC's Third Annual Gift Guide!

For the third year in a row, we present a holiday gift guide for those who want to bestow seasonal joy and support reproductive justice and positive progressive values, all at the same time. Some of these gifts you'll recognize from last year; some are very much specific to 2009, a year of ups and downs for women.

But before you indulge, the absolute best gift you can give yourself and other women this year is to join in the struggle for decent health care. See this page at the new "Not Under the Bus" site for a comprehensive list of actions to take--none of which involve money--to keep the momentum going and make sure that women don't lose out in the health care fight, either in this round or the next.

Books

Here are some light and less light reads from 2009: whether you choose a gripping woman-penned novel or a stirring political treatise, book-buying will both edify your loved ones and help keep the publishing industry afloat this year.

·      Earlier this year, we did a roundup of some fabulous feminist books that took the bookshelves by storm this spring: Jessica Valenti's The Purity Myth, which tackles the sexual double standard from virgin to slut, Kathryn Joyce's Quiverfull which goes deep into the heart of a new ultra-right fertility trend, and Michelle Goldberg's  The Means of Reproduction, which demonstrates the way women's bodies have been fought over in foreign policy battles for decades. The anthology of women's political playwriting, Front Lines, edited by Alexis Greene, and Shirley Lauro would also make an amazing gifts for the damatic feminist intellectual.

·      Gail Collin's When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1950 to the Present may be a mainstream title, but it's a perfect gift: but you can't lose with a fun, witty and positive history of 20th century feminism.

·      Courtney Martin, who writes the "Not Oprah's Book Club" feature at feministing has a few holiday book suggestions at feministing.

·      I compiled a longer list of 2009 women-penned literary feats here at Women's eNews including all the  major female prize-winners.

·      Looking for children and young adult books that won't send young women running into the arms of the patriarchy? Check out the Bloomer awards, which honor kids' books with feminist heroines and messages.

Thought-Provoking Magazines and Women's Media

New Moon Media, a fantastic and empowering publication aimed at young girls, need your help! Check out their site here and donate or get a gift subscription for a young woman in your  life.

·       Want a quicker read? Send your favorite friend a subscription to one or more fun, feminist magazines. Anna Clark at Isak has a compilation of  magazines of the thought-provoking essays and literary variety to give as gift subscriptions.

·       At the top of the list are the uber-feminist trio of Bitch; a feminist look at pop-culture; Bust the quirky women's magazine; and Ms the stalwart feminist publication; they are all always looking for new readers. But don't forget other indy pubs like Hip Mama, East Village Inky, Make/Shift, or arts magazine Venus Zine.

·       Give money to women's media! Any of the above magazines, plus websites like Women's eNews and a host of other progressive publications always need help from readers, and they all sell gear like mugs and t-shirts, too.

With no signs of an improvement in the economy, non-profits are a particularly worthy place to focus your year-end attention

• Planned Parenthood. They provide low-cost health care to women who wouldn't otherwise get it and are on the front-lines in every state.
• SisterSong - Women of color uniting for reproductive justice.
• The Birth Attendants - Doulas in Washington who provide free services for incarcerated, pregnant women. 
• Lydia's House works to end domestic violence by providing a place of healing and a voice of hope for abused women and their children. Lydia's House is Missouri's largest provider of confidentially-located, furnished apartments for abused women and children for up to 24 months, and is one of the largest programs of its type in the United States. 
• The National Network of Abortion Funds provides funds for women seeking abortions who cannot afford them.
• Backline - A hotline for women considering how to respond to pregnancy.
• One by One - prevents and treats obstetrical fistula in women in developing nations.
• Katrina Women's Response Fund - Helping women of color affected by Hurricane Katrina.
• National Advocates for Pregnant Women - Advocates for health and civil rights of vulnerable pregnant and parenting women.
• Organizations that empower young women like: Bella Abzug Leadership Initiative, Girls Initiative Network,  Teen Voices, Sadie Nash Leadership Project, The Young Women's Project and more!

Fun Gifts and Clothing

Indulge yourself with gifts that won't prick at your conscience.

·       Global Exchange offers "fair trade and socially-conscious" gifts, including some beautiful holiday-specific crafts.

·       Get sweatshop-free, union-made clothes embossed with a totally awesome punk-rock Rosie the Riveter design at No Sweat.

·       The Union Shop has still more union made clothing, including eco-friendly and organic lines.

·       A DVD box set of our favorite TV show, Mad Men--will lead to feminist discussion galore and a lot of addicted viewers. Another great show that's a timeless gift: The Wire.

·       This is what a feminist looks like gear. You can't lose.

·       Two "American Masters" DVDS: "How Sweet the Sound" DVD about awesome singer and activist Joan Baez, and a new documentary and book pair about Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind "Little Women".

·       New CDs from feminist or feminist-enough/feminist-friendly artists:  Ani DiFranco, St. Vincent,  Sonic Youth and Lady Gaga--or an IOU for tickets to next year's Lilith Fair.