Anne of Carversville introduces friends to the three women behind April 28th’s Unite Against the War on Women march for Pennsylvania: Amy Gould Caraballo, Nicole Turman and Lynn Thomas Guidetti.

Anne, along with other Pa citizens, has joined forces with these three busy moms who have strong views about what’s happening to the women of Pennsylvania at the hands of Republican legislators.

Today we introduce our third ‘partner’ in PA, the trio that Anne now calls the T’s: Lynn Thomas Guidetti.

Furious over this nationwide assault on women’s bodies,  we want to humanize the pro-woman voices who support women’s rights. Limbaugh calls us ‘feminazis’. But who are we really? Are what are we doing to each other — woman to woman.

After you’ve finished reading Lynn Thomas Guidetti’s interview with Anne, meet previously published Amy Gould Caraballo, and Anne’s interview with Nicole Turman. Then check in at the Unite Against the War on Women national Facebook page and Unite Women’s new website. Follow on Twitter as @NatlWOW.

In Pennsylvania, link here for April 28th’s Unite Against the War on Women Harrisburg march.

Pa Press | If you are a member of the Pa press, Anne is happy to talk to you in her role as media liaison for the Pennsylvania march. Contact her here.

(Anne) Did you know each other before joining forces to organize the We Are Women March - Pennsylvania?

(Lynn) I knew Amy from a mailing list focused on improving children’s health. I did not know Nicole before she joined our group. Amy and Nicole knew each other. And I think it’s great how well we work together.

Do you have a history of being a women’s rights activist? Was feminism a word in your vocabulary growing up? What is your background and relationship with women’s rights issues?

Not really - I don’t have a background in this at all. I have always been an independent woman, but I was fairly young when the last generation was fighting for abortion rights, and was not a part of the movement. 

I’m constantly told that I can’t possibly be a feminist? I like sex and men. Could you define feminism for yourself?

Anyone who doesn’t get that feminism has nothing to do with the act of sex is an idiot. And I’m not particularly philosophical about feminism. I have my own mind, and I make my own choices. I am not chattel. And I would just love to be respected and taken seriously, without having to get pissed off and fight for that respect. Maybe we need a women are persons, too, amendment.

I have a better question for you, Anne. Have you ever Googled “what does feminism mean to you”? Do it. You will be appalled by some of the answers you read, especially the ones on answers.yahoo.com.

These are just plain scary REAL kids who REALLY think this stuff. They REALLY believe this stuff and are SO uninformed as young women. Frankly, they are clueless that they are losing ALL their rights as American females.

I am more concerned that they understand ‘feminism’ than what ‘I’ think.

Do you have any opinions on why feminism has struggled to achieve legitimacy in America?

More men in power positions than women; men in power have more money than women. The consequences are obvious.

Another thing, we a situation in the rural areas, where people are basically proud to be ignorant. It’s an atittude I’ve never seen anywhere else, and as a matter of fact, Santorum is playing on a form of it in his campaign.

Santorum finds crowds of these people and talks about education — college — being elitist. And ignorant people are generally not feminist because they don’t understand the ideology; and no one’s ever REALLY explained it to them.

Many of these people are just afraid of learning, and get defensive about it, fearing that they might that they will find out they’ve been wrong all the time. It reminds me of Catholics not wanting to face the truth about rogue priests.

Do you have children? Do you work with children or young women?

Both. I have a son. I do work with with kids as a music teacher, both boys and girls as old as high school.

Was there a specific trigger that brought you to the national Unite Against the War on Women campaign?

It wasn’t one thing but rather a pile that broke the camel’s back. Just the idea of a transvaginal probe (TVP) or an ultrasound photo sends chills up my spine. Many young girls already have negative experiences with sex and sexual issues, and the major lack of respect towards women in the media doesn’t help.

What the hell do doctors think something like a TVP is going to do to them? I had a horrible experience with a male gynecologist when I was 16, and I never went to a male gyn again. In addition, I was laid off when I became pregnant. Is it any wonder many women resent men?