Women’s Movement Seen As Revolutionary (Press, 2 June 1977)

Helen Marieskind, a prominent figure in the women’s movement, expresses contrasting feelings about society's state. At times she is disheartened, while at others she feels hopeful about the potential for social change driven by women. Marieskind views the women’s movement as a powerful tool for revolution, noting that it can provoke fear in both men and some women accustomed to dependency. Drawing from her own experiences, she believes the movement has been a lifeline for her. Marieskind, originally Helen Free from Christchurch, New Zealand, had a privileged upbringing. She married an American and enjoyed a glamorous life in Portugal and the United States before her marriage ended. This prompted her to pursue her identity further through education. She attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology and subsequently a Master of Arts in public health, focusing on maternal and child health and family planning. In 1976, she completed her doctorate, with research on gynaecological services linked to the women's movement. Her academic journey paralleled her activism, which included work with Planned Parenthood and feminist women's health clinics. Before relocating to Seattle, she served as an assistant professor of health sciences at the State University of New York. Currently, she is working on a book about women’s health service delivery in America. Marieskind emphasises that despite her expertise, she doesn’t have all the answers. She encourages New Zealand women to learn from the divisions present in the American feminist movement, which is fragmented along lines of sexual orientation and social class. She insists on the importance of unity among women and believes that discussions on subjects such as abortion should serve as opportunities for solidarity, even among those who may disagree on such issues. She acknowledges the influence of religious beliefs but advocates for a broader perspective that includes compassion for women facing difficult choices, such as unintended pregnancies. In her view, while men ideally should have a role in decisions around abortion, practical realities often leave women alone to manage such situations. Marieskind addresses the ideological divides in the women’s movement, particularly between heterosexual and homosexual women, urging that one's sexual preference should not define their entire identity. She criticises the media for perpetuating divides by focusing on extreme views, which reinforces public antagonism towards the feminist movement. She believes that the media’s portrayal of activism often trivialises women’s issues and creates unnecessary conflict. As an upcoming guest speaker at the 1977 United Women’s Convention in Christchurch, Marieskind is conscious of the nuances in media representation and the discussions around the event, including calls for women-only media coverage, which some perceive as controversial. Despite acknowledging the risks of adopting male roles within the movement, she maintains a focus on challenging the existing hierarchical and patriarchal systems.

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