In his response to Amy Denholtz's letter, Adam Drake made an argument that feminism is no longer necessary. Though I would first like to thank him for acknowledging the contributions of past feminists, I strongly disagree with his letter.

First, Drake makes a point of some feminists perspectives on marriage and children, namely that feminism considers marriage oppressive and parenting a burden. While any number of those who consider themselves to be feminist may, in fact, feel this way, it is both unfair and inaccurate to say that all feminists feel this way. In much the same way that neither the Democratic nor Republican parties can be wholly representative of their respective party members, so cannot any feminist or feminist organization (for example, the National Organization of Women), speak for all those who claim the word "feminist." Also, in specific defense of NOW's actions regarding Andrea Yates, NOW made a statement that she be medically treated for depression and psychosis and, to my knowledge, does not support the murder of children or anyone else.

That today's feminist movement has little in common with women's rights groups of the past is both true and false. Yes, early feminists fought for the right to vote and won, and it's still barely legal to have an abortion thanks to feminist support of Roe v. Wade. However, the Equal Rights Amendment, first proposed in 1923, has still not been passed. This is a feminist issue nearly as old as the American women's movement itself. Additionally, why must it be that modern feminism progress solely on the ideals of the past? Issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, and a slew of others are addressed by modern feminism.

The world and everything in it is constantly changing, including feminism --and that's not a bad thing.