Women's issues

The Wisconsin chapter of the National Organization for Women recognizes Denise Matyka as its 1988 Feminist of the Year, and she is the subject of George Vukelich's Listening In column. "People are beginning to recognize the connections between sexism, racism, ageism, homophobia," she tells him, "and if you work for change in one area, that can benefit the work in all areas.... I know there are some people, including some women, who say they don't want to be identified with what they call 'strident feminists.' I know that there are some people, including some women, who talk about a backlash against feminism, but I don't think we should let these people set our agenda and tell us what women's issues are. The reality is that the women's movement agenda is a human rights agenda." Matyka is now executive director of Project Home.