I have been fairly outspoken on these pages about feminism and my wholehearted support of it as a movement. I’ve got no qualms defining myself a feminist, and I’ve taken issue with those who thinks it’s an outdated concept–you know, because women have like, jobs and all so we don’t really need it any more, right? I wish I could credit the person who wrote that the day journalists stop discussing Hillary’s hair is the day there will be no need for feminism
But I also feel like I have to call ’em like I see ’em and I don’t think that women are inherently disadvantaged everywhere. And I think blogging is one of those places that women get a pretty fair shot.

So when I’m asked to consider whether blogging empowers women, my answer is sure. But not just women.

I think this medium empowers anyone with a strong voice that might not otherwise be heard, particularly by the mainstream media: 16 year olds and 97 year olds. Blacks, Asians, and half-Latinas with a wicked sense of humor. Short people. Bald people. Lawng Islandahs. Conspiracy theorists. Cancer survivors. People with acne. People with buck teeth. College dropouts. Housewives–and not the desperate, ready-for-prime time, size 0 kind either.

It doesn’t matter what your bust size is, how white your teeth are, or what kind of car you drive, and it certainly doesn’t matter whether you’ve got those double-X chromosomes if you want to journal online. Anyone with access to an internet connection can have a soapbox. And that’s exactly what I love about blogging, even if it does at times lump me in with the crazies and the grammatically deficient.

Here, a woman can write about football. A man can write about crock pot recipes. And a mother can write about her experiences without an editor saying Momlit? Oh, that’s so played. Pass.

The potential is limitless. For women. For anyone.

Gotta love that.

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What do you think? Does blogging empower women? If you’ve got an opinion, post it and link back to Motherblogs Toronto for a chance to win a free pass to BlogHerCon 07. You don’t even have to be a woman to enter. You certainly don’t have to be from Toronto. Or if you don’t want the $200 pass (although who wouldn’t?) you can win a prize pack that I know nothing about except includes candy.

I feel empowered enough to tell you that I love candy.