by Jessica Lauredan, Outreach Intern
National Women’s Law Center
This post is the first in a weekly series profiling our blog authors.
Jill Morrison, Senior Counsel at NWLC, works with the Health and Reproductive Rights team to secure full access to adequate health care for women and girls.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your work?
Jill: I would say working with a community of people who ultimately all want to see a better world for women. It never fails to astound me that I have the privilege to contribute in some small way and to work with such bright, smart, talented women. I thrive on this environment of social justice for women. This is my dream job.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish?
Jill: Making this world a place where women can go as far as their talents and desires will take them. Giving women equal opportunities. But this can’t happen without a just society that promotes women to do so.
Q: What are the most common misconceptions about feminism you encounter?
Jill: That feminists are all man-hating, angry, reactionary, bitter women. That’s not true — only some of us are.
No, I would have to say the most common misconception is that feminism is dead. So many women advance feminist ideals but don’t necessarily describe them that way. Feminism is alive and well.
Q: Much of your work focuses is on the impact of religious restrictions on health care. What would be the ideal balance between an individual’s religious beliefs and adequate, fair health care?
Jill: Well, I could write a book on that! I think Title VII strikes a pretty fair balance between religion and health care. It basically states that you can observe your religion and its practices so long as they do not interfere with your work. So if your religion prohibits you from dispensing birth control, you should not be the only pharmacist on hand at any given pharmacy. It’s a patient’s right to receive that medication. On the other hand, if you wear a long, draping head covering which would make it dangerous to operate heavy machinery, it should be your employer’s right to ask you to remove it. Title VII is reasonable medium for both parties.
Q: What is one thing that all women can do to help foster social equality for women?
Jill: Two things: Pay attention — and challenge inequality whenever and wherever you see it. It can be hard to be the one who is always raising the issues that everyone wants to deny or ignore, but ultimately it is worth it. Someone took those risks so you could have the opportunities you have today. It’s our duty to make sure women in the generations to come have even better opportunities to access health care, education, and economic opportunities.
Q: What do you do in your spare time?
Jill: I love traveling. I try to travel internationally at least twice a year. I also love sports. All kinds of sports — but my first love is basketball.
Q: Describe yourself in three words.
Jill: Creative. Concerned. Hopeful.
Yes, Anna I was joking. Glad to see someone in cyberspace is attuned to my slightly offensive sense of humor.
Posted by: Jill | February 15, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Thanks for doing this interview. I linked to it at Ms. JD. Jill, when you were asked what are some "common misconceptions" about feminism, and answered, "That feminists are all man-hating, angry, reactionary, bitter women. That’s not true--only some of us are." I hope that was tongue-in-cheek (even if also true)... anyway, I read it as a joke, and it cracked me up. Thanks again!
Posted by: Anna | February 15, 2008 at 02:33 PM