Laurel A. Rockefeller's Blog, page 12

The War on Women Erodes Women’s Rights and Identity

Women’s rights are in the news. Two years after Roe verses Wade’s overturn by the United States Supreme Court, the attack on women, women’s body, identity, and basic legal rights has not stopped with the moving of abortion regulations to the individual states.

My recent micro-history, “American Patriarchy” explores many of the laws and progress of legal rights for women in the 19th and 20th century, finding most laws focused on women specifically to address property, employment, and financia...

Patriarchy and Money. Sex-based income disparities. Excerpt from “American Patriarchy”

As the 2024 campaign for president heats up, it’s time to take a look at “American Patriarchy” from the Life in America series. Here is topic six from the book entitled “Patriarchy and Money.”

Topic Six: Patriarchy and Money

Money makes the world go round – the song from the musical “Cabaret” remains infectious. Money is a vital tool for our lives, allowing us to convert our professional labors into the tangible products and services of life. From basic needs like food and shelter to ...

“Patriarchy and Money.” Excerpt from “American Patriarchy”

As the 2024 campaign for president heats up, it’s time to take a look at “American Patriarchy” from the Life in America series. Here is topic six from the book entitled “Patriarchy and Money.”

Topic Six: Patriarchy and Money

Money makes the world go round – the song from the musical “Cabaret” remains infectious. Money is a vital tool for our lives, allowing us to convert our professional labors into the tangible products and services of life. From basic needs like food and shelter to ...

Women and Money. Excerpt from “American Patriarchy”

As the 2024 campaign for president heats up, it’s time to take a look at “American Patriarchy” from the Life in America series. Here is topic six from the book entitled “Patriarchy and Money.”

Topic Six: Patriarchy and Money

Money makes the world go round – the song from the musical “Cabaret” remains infectious. Money is a vital tool for our lives, allowing us to convert our professional labors into the tangible products and services of life. From basic needs like food and shelter to ...

Changes to Walmart Delivery, Walmart + Take Away Key Benefits from Customers

Four years ago I joined Walmart + and started using Walmart Delivery as a practical matter. In my area we had just one grocery store, a place so small it was barely more than a convenience store. Just as you expect from a convenience store, the prices were high – a problem in rural and semi-rural areas. With delivery service, I could get Walmart selection and prices and save money. The subscription + service offered a reduced rate on delivery fees. I’m sure I’m not alone in taking on Walmar...

A place for music: Johnstown’s Locust Park

Downtown Johnstown Pennsylvania is undergoing a badly needed renaissance. After decades moldering from the decline of the area steel mills and coal mining (which still leaves our water barely safe to drink), the town center is finally starting a period of renewal and regrowth. In 2023 plans to renovate “Central Park” were approved to transform the town square from a memorial focused park to a much more family friendly space with play areas for children, a better fountain, and other improveme...

Living for Another: the Problem of Patriarchy

Women are human beings. We hold value as people because we are people. We are not objects to be used by others. We are not toys for the amusement of others. We exist. We have inalienable rights, the same inalienable rights as men, regardless of our family backgrounds or where we were born or what languages we speak, and so forth. Our value rests independently of anyone else.

Recently I’ve considered the life of my kinswoman Anne Rochefeuille, especially in her relationship with the ...

First Lines: Novels by Laurel A. Rockefeller

Good morning! I hope you are have a great day so far. Earlier this year a twitter discussion about how to end a book inspired me to write two blog posts featuring the last lines of my books. After continuing the discussion I realized that it would be good to offer each book’s opening lines, starting with the biographies. Today would like to post the first lines for my fiction work. Most of these are from the Peers of Beinan series, but not all of them. I start with the books not in the Peers of ...

The Apostle Paul: Views on Women

Women are human beings. We are equals to men. Yet the Bible doesn’t see women this way. In the New Testament in particular, Paul expresses a particular disdain for women I briefly mentioned while writing “Hypatia of Alexandria.” As I think about Patriarchy and in particular how my life, along with the women I’ve written about, are shaped by the effects of patriarchy in our daily life, I am reminded specifically about how Paul has influenced views towards women and the historical consequences...

Excerpt: Prologue to Show Me the Pretty Bird

Cockatiels are the love of my life. When I feel down they give me joy. Their antics also keep me grounded, something every creative person needs. This winter I decided to take my experiences over the last few years and put them into a comedy play. It’s a glimpse into my world as a bird person and is completely autobiographical. I hope you will enjoy it and if you want to produce this play as a show at your school or community theater, by all means email at the address provided in the front m...