While women are still struggling to get equal pay for equal work and face many other gender disparities, there’s at least one area where women seem to, at least at the moment, have a serious upper hand: the world of mainstream pop music. Despite my general disdain for conventional Top 40 radio, I find myself somewhat shockingly pleased with what our ladies are doing these days.

First we have the Ke$ha. Sure, she’s embarrassingly outrageous, but more often than not, with that ridiculousness comes an important message about being yourself and not caring what other people think. In a time where high schools look like a robotic Old Navy ad, full of Bump-Its and Beiber hair, I think we can all appreciate someone showing the youth of American that it’s okay to be different (even if it comes with a cash sign and glitter on our eyes).

And then we have Katy Perry, whom — for the most part — I dislike, but with her super overplayed, yet uber catchy tunes, there’s really no escaping her. And while I could certainly do without donut bras shooting whip cream and the bang-my-head-against-a-wall horrible lyrical content of “Firework,” I can’t get enough of her Kanye collabo and happily included it on my “Apocalypse 2011 Mix.” More recent redemption for KP was her recent admission about her extreme Christian fundamentalist upbringing fostering a misguided perception about Planned Parenthood and how she continued to utilize their services anyway.

And of course, there’s Beyonce. Let’s just be honest: Beyonce’s been killin’ it for years now…and she just keeps on a doin’ it. Her new fem-friendly single “Run the World (Girls)” makes me happy. What else makes me happy: having such a solid role model for young women – one that’s shown uniquely serious class throughout her rise to and reign of super fame. And props to Jay-Z for being a rockstar husband who seems a-okay with having a titan of a success by his side — a lot of men couldn’t handle sharing the pants, let alone giving them up entirely.

But this wouldn’t be a conversation about women owning pop music if it didn’t include the Gaga. (Psssssst. If you haven’t already, you can buy her new album for a mere $1 on Amazon today!). I feel like I really don’t even need to explain why Lady Gaga is significant — we all get it. And we know that equality is all the better because of her.

So, even though there’s still a lot of rolling-around-in-our-underwear-and-being-sexy to deal with, I think mainstream pop’s in pretty good hands right now and sending some good messages to our next generation. I’ll go ahead and enjoy that for the two seconds it lasts…

It’s the end of the world as we know it…and here’s what we’ve been talking about this week in DW land…

*  It’s Rapture mania out there. From orgies to lootings, teh internet’s all a flutter with anticipation. Wait. If this is the first step to the world ending in October, does that mean we’ll all be spared of the pain and suffering accompanying the 2012 SD legislative session?

* Dear everyone in the nation,

How’s about you try to do something actually productive to help SD, rather than just criticizing our homeland? Five years — it’s gettin’ old.

Love,

SDans Working Their Faces Off for Choice

* Sorry rural folks. We’re — on purpose — going to put your homes under water. Have a great day!

* Badass SDan of the week: this lady.

* Question: Can we discriminate against people for being giant assholes? Just wondering.

* Roseanne-archy is right…and she does know.

A Blondie salud, Apocalypseians. See you tomorrow?

It’s really the end of an era for lady TV personalities these days. Tonight, Katie Couric signed off as the anchor of the CBS Evening News (though Sarah Palin likely did not sign off in beating that revisionist horse). Tomorrow, it’s South Dakota native Mary Hart’s last night on Entertainment Tonight. For those of you who don’t know, Mary Harum was born in Madison, SD and grew up in Sioux Falls, graduating from Augustana and getting her start in journalism with our friends over at KSFY. (I’ll leave out the part about her competing in the 1970 Miss America Pageant as Miss South Dakota, because I find pageants generally unimpressive.) Apparently South Dakota Mary also holds the Guiness World Record for the “longest serving entertainment news host,” coming in at just under 29 years. South Dakota represent!

And next week…

The Mother Teresa of TV herself…the one, the only, Lady O will say “goodbye” after 25 long years (maybe to get a jump start on the Oprah 2016 exploratory committee?). I shudder to think of how lost many will be without the the O telling them what to buy. True story: I was once a sorry retail associate who fielded product request phone calls before the Oprah’s Favorite Things episode was even over! Suffice it to say, huge changes are going to come with Oprah’s retirement, although we can be certain the O Empire and humanitarian work aren’t going anywhere.

Wait — are we certain there’s no correlation between Oprah’s end and the impending Rapture?

These changes are leaving quite the hole in TV lady land. Who’s going to be the next generation of women to step forward in their place? Please tell me Elizabeth Hasselbeck’s not on the shortlist…

It’s pretty rare the portrayal of abortion in mainstream film or television doesn’t disappoint me and suck hard for the pro-choice movement. There’s the terrible use of anti-choice language, story lines that reinforce false claims about women’s irresponsibility or incapability, all kinds of misinformation, the usually awful depiction of clinics, including doctors and clinic staff…and the list goes on. Sometimes even the allegedly hip and progressive shows do the pro-choice movement a disservice in how they handle the issue (Juno, Sex and the City – I’m talkin’ to you!) and ‘family’ shows – well, you can imagine how that goes: like this disgruntled One Tree Hill fan wrote, they’re full of anti-choice rhetoric and explode with stigma. So, imagine my surprise when last week’s episode of Private Practice — of all sucktastic shows —  impressed the hell out of me with its all-around diplomatic depiction of the A word. Maybe Kate Walsh, who’s long been an active Planned Parenthood supporter, has influence over the show’s writers? Regardless of the reason – kudos. The pro-choice movement thanks you.

When you’re stuck inside because of the rain, give it a watch. And for an enhanced experience, make sure to read all the angry comments, too.

We’re proud to announce that DW contributor and SD State Senator extraordinaire, Angie Buhl, will be representing DakotaWomen blog and South Dakotans everywhere (especially our women), by speaking at the upcoming Netroots Nation 2011 conference held this June in Minneapolis.

Angie will be part of the panel addressing “Protecting Reproductive Rights in Your State,” a session that “aims to prepare local and online activists to fight back by providing analysis, strategies and success stories for countering harmful policies close to home.”

The convention promises to be an excellent chance for technologically savvy progressive activists to mix and plan and we’re glad SD not only has a seat at that table, but will also be so finely represented. And who knows — the event might be extra special and Angie might have the opportunity to meet leaders of the Official Beer Party there.

We look forward to sharing Angie’s feedback about the event with DakotaReaders in later June. For information on attending the convention, click here.

Aside from making Argus Leader staff voodoo dolls and enjoying that momentary pre-summer sun, here’s what we’ve been talking about in DW land this week…

* Things that are creepy: the Cruises. Things that are creepier: their parenting.

* With liberty and justice for all…excluding victims of abuse. Sad.

* More of the same: anti-choice shenanigans around indecision over registering with the DOH following the passage of HB 1217 = SD makes Fark and Maddow.

* Turns out raising children is expensive. Who knew?

* President Obama on 2012: don’t be a drag, just be a queen.

* Using celebrity for good, Christy Turlington  makes her directorial debut with No Woman, No Cry. Hey, Hollywood! What have the rest of you done lately?

* Google Alert double take: Steve Hickey has an internet twin…and he’s got a lot of opinions on beaded prom dresses.

* Surprisingly not from the Onion: Charlie Sheen’s uncle and Jane Roe to appear in film Doonby, out this September.

* Grandmas the world over will appreciate that junk food might be okay for kids…in moderation.

* “I’m not sure how to say this not to sound like a darn racist, but…”

In light of the Class of 2011′s graduation this weekend, enjoy this oldie, but great-ie.

Today on the Argus Leader’s political talk show “100 Eyes on S.D. Politics,” Jonathan Ellis and Patrick Lalley made the bold assertion that South Dakota political blogging is, essentially, dead (and has perhaps been supplanted by social media). See for yourself:

Obviously, despite having been around since 2007, DW didn’t get a shout out from the Argus boys. Then again, they freely admitted they don’t read blogs. What do you think, dear readers? I don’t feel like we’re just shouting out into the nothingness here, but maybe I’m as deluded as a couple of dead tree newspaper guys declaring the end of an electronic medium…

As I sit here with an ice pack on my forearm, I reflect on the hard lesson Ms. Buhl and I learned while sitting outside Saturday afternoon: the sun will burn you. And burns hurt. Not only do they hurt like hell, but they’re also dangerous. As a super fair skinned, blue-eyed, thin haired gal, I’m usually really on top of sunscreen and skin protection, but as I was recently reminded, the sun can strike when you least expect it…and on exposed areas of your body that you don’t even consider are vulnerable. And ’tis the season. So, as you’re kickin’ back with that Corona, prioritize your skin health and get yourself covered with some SPF 30 or more (30′s the new 15, folks). Or if nothing else, make sure your regular facial moisturizer has some sun protection in it. In addition to shaving years off your future facial age, maybe — just maybe — you won’t get cancer. Well, skin cancer anyway. Think skin cancer’s not that common or lethal? Think again.

Check out this powerful video on malignant melanoma.

Scary, right? This isn’t just a women’s issue; it’s an everybody issue. When was the last time you did a skin self-examination? In addition to the breast self-exams we ladies should all be administering once a month, add this check to the list, especially in these months where your skin is seeing a lot of those rays. And read up! This article is one of many that covers the everything you need to know about protecting yourself against skin cancer. And DakotaMamas: screen up your little ones. The majority of skin damage occurs before the age of 18 and let’s face it: it’s much more dangerous to be a pool rat today than when we were growing up.

Here are my favorite reminders:

* Clouds don’t matter.
* Often forgotten: ears, lips, scalp (especially along the part), and tops of feet and hands.
* Sunglasses. 99% UVA blockage. Check it.
* You can get burned while driving or riding in a car.

Alright. Go forth an enjoy that soon-to-be summer sun. But just remember to use your brain and take care while doing it.

It’s officially my second Mother’s Day as a mom and I’m sitting here typing to you, dear DW readers, and watching my little girl sleep soundly next to me. Pretty sweet.

There is a fairly substantial amount of debate about what constitutes a ‘women’s issue’ or a ‘feminist issue.’ What should women’s organization be focusing on? Are we excluding people by labeling something a ‘women’s issue’? Obviously, reproductive matters have long been a pillar of feminist activism, but there’s also been substantial criticism that we too often focus on preventing and terminating pregnancy as opposed to the issues that come with carrying a pregnancy to term and raising children.

Now, I would argue that feminist organizations have long been fighting for causes like affordable childcare, recognition of unpaid domestic work, and reproductive freedom in birth choices and part of the reason it seems like we’re always talking about birth control and abortion is that there is a loud and zealous opposition that is constantly taking the dialogue there. On the other hand, it’s not like the battles for affordable childcare, education, balance of domestic duties, access to pre-natal care, the maternal and infant mortality rate, etc. are going significantly better than those ‘abortion wars’ that are making headlines. And when over 80% of women will become mothers in their lifetimes, motherhood is definitely something feminism should be concerned about.

But here’s another way to look at it: while motherhood is a feminist issue, feminism should be a mothers’ issue. With bringing new life into the world comes a certain amount of responsibility. If moms can take on drunk driving and create a teen vampire phenomenon, maybe we can take a little of that energy and put it toward getting a few of these feminist agenda items checked off. Obviously, it would make our lives easier, but more importantly, we might be able to create a world where our children can focus on other concerns (like figuring out where to get water when the planet goes all Beyond Thunderdome).

Happy Mother’s Day, fellow moms. Enjoy your flowers and your brunch – then on Monday, let’s get back to the feminist battlefield!

What we’ve been talking about in DW-land this week:

*Joey Lawrence manages to make me feel even worse about watching Celebrity Apprentice and Melissa & Joey.

*Lack of adequate housing has forced some tribes to use FEMA trailers meant for disasters as living quarters for Native families.

*An update on a story we covered a while back: Rapists: 2. Cheerleaders: 0.

*Not many political husbands write about their experiences. It’s not as “manhood-defeating” as some might think.

*What legislator in their right mind publishes a column admitting she didn’t read bills? And what is a “lame mammogram”? To borrow from the AL comment section, they should have probably added a disclaimer, like “Not intended to be a factual statement” to the whole thing.

*This post about funding the pro-choice movement is right on point.

*Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am thinks women who buy condoms are ‘tacky.’ what.a.dick

*Who are the women who obtain abortions in the United States and why do they decide to end a pregnancy? This video from the Guttmacher Institute provides some answers:

*Is South Dakota defunding education as a scheme to make our universities so bad that they’re unappealing to illegal immigrants?

*The Slut Walk is the new Take Back the Night. What do you think? Good way to respond to victim blaming?

*You’ll be surprised to find out that there’s not a lot of support among the DakotaWomen for dressing little girls like adults, and especially putting them in high heals.

*Newsflash: everything kills you.

*When your parenting seems like it was inspired by an episode of Strangers With Candy, Social Services is probably going to get involved.

Doesn’t this weather make you want to listen to some bluegrass? Me too! Enjoy some Jami Lynn!