"Join Us In Supporting Surfer Bethany Hamilton"

An action by Women's Declaration International USA in support of women and girls

January 19, 2024

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Yesterday I sent a post to paid subscribers about how frustrated I am with the Supreme Court for declining to take the case of Martinsville v. A.C. That post concluded: “I hope my next post contains better news. For now, I’m just profoundly irritated. Sorry!”

Here’s something much more positive for your Friday.

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Photo credit: Newsweek¹

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Earlier this morning, the US chapter of Women’s Declaration International sent the following email message to several thousand US signatories to the Declaration on Women’s Sex-Based Rights (the Declaration):

This is a chance to take concrete action to advance the Declaration on Women’s Sex-Based Rights in support of women and girls by contacting The Women’s Fund, thanking them for hosting Bethany Hamilton, and urging them not to give in to calls for Hamilton’s cancellation. 

Bethany Hamilton was a 13-year-old amateur surfer when a shark ate her arm. After she recovered, she got right back up on the board and went on to become one of the most successful female surfers in the world. 

Last year, the World Surf League announced that it would allow male surfers to compete in the women’s category and Bethany gave the new policy a resounding “NO,” saying that she would boycott the League’s events as long as that rule remained in effect.

The Women’s Fund of Oshkosh recently announced that Hamilton would be its keynote speaker at a May 9 event. According to its website:

'“We are THRILLED to welcome Bethany Hamilton as our 2024 Power of the Purse keynote speaker. Bethany’s message of overcoming obstacles, and living with determination, passion, hope - aligns with so much of our work.

Her resilience, perseverance, and heart has helped her live an Unstoppable life. We’re thrilled for the community to hear her message of courage - in hopes that it will inspire others to live unstoppable.”

But some people don’t want Hamilton to speak. On January 15, a group of “members and allies of Oshkosh’s LGBTQ+ community” issued an open letter to The Women’s Fund to complain. They said: 

“We all look forward to the day we can celebrate, positively amplify, and support this event. Once the Women’s Fund has removed and replaced Bethany Hamilton as keynote speaker for this and any future events and issued a public statement of apology to the LGBTQ+ community, we stand ready to accept that apology, end our objections, and extend our sincere wishes for their and your continued success.”

But this is ridiculous. It's difficult to imagine a woman more qualified to talk about overcoming obstacles and living with determination and resilience than a woman who literally had her arm eaten by a shark and went on to become one of the most successful female surfers in the world. The Women’s Fund has nothing to apologize for (and neither does Hamilton).

We are urging signatories to contact The Women’s Fund to thank them for hosting Hamilton as their keynote speaker and urge the Fund not to back down in the face of this blatant misogyny.

Give them a call at (920) 426-3993. You don’t have to stay on the phone for long. Just tell them you’re a signatory to the Declaration on Women’s Sex-Based Rights, and that you’re calling to thank them for hosting Bethany Hamilton and urge them not to back down in the face of blatant misogyny.

You can also send an email to the executive director of their governing organization, Karlene Grabner: Karlene@oshkoshareacf.org. A script follows that you can copy and paste. Feel free to personalize to make it your own!

“Dear Ms. Grabner,

I am a signatory to the Declaration on Women’s Sex-Based Rights (the Declaration). I am writing to thank you for hosting Bethany Hamilton as your keynote speaker at your upcoming event. It is hard to imagine a woman with more commitment, resilience, and optimism than Ms. Hamilton. I am also a staunch supporter of the sex-based rights of lesbian and bisexual women.

I understand that some people are calling for you to cancel her appearance. I would urge you not to do that. The people calling for Ms. Hamilton’s cancellation simply do not think that women ought to be able to express views that conflict with theirs.

But Article 4 of the Declaration reaffirms women’s rights to freedom of opinion and expression. Ms. Hamilton has every right to speak her mind in defense of women’s sex-based rights.

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]”

If you are a lesbian or bisexual woman, we would also urge you to note that fact (if you’re comfortable doing so) and say that the so-called “LGBTQ+ community” does not speak for you.

We hope that by sending a strong message to The Women’s Fund, we will persuade them to see this blatant misogyny for what it is and keep Hamilton as their keynote speaker.

In solidarity,

The WDI USA Board of Directors

Kara Dansky

Irene Lawrence

Lauren Levey

Lorraine Nowlin

Megan Rose

Katherine Kinney

I called The Women’s Fund when I first heard about this on Wednesday. The woman who answered the phone was happy to hear from me and said she would pass along my message of support.

Board member Lauren Levey made the call and reported back:

FYI I just called. Lovely woman answered immediately. I spoke as requested, urging them to keep Hamilton. She thanked me, sounded quite genuine, and said they are keeping track of the calls pro and con.

Board member Irene Lawrence also made the call and reported back:

I just called the Women's Fund too, and the woman reiterated that they're keeping track of the calls for and against, and thanked me. Nice to know that this might make an impact!

The Women’s Fund is paying attention and these messages are making a difference. Anyone can contact them, thank them for hosting Hamilton as their keynote speaker and urge them not to cancel her. Please consider taking this action, and if you haven’t signed the Declaration, please do so today!

1. This image is of Hamilton competing in the 2019 VANS US Open of Surfing at Huntington State Beach on July 30, 2019, in Huntington Beach, California.