What do you think about the all-male group that runs the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, one of the city’s signature events, prohibiting women from participating in the decision making? Multimedia reporter Eleonora Bianchi asked, and you answered.
Seven women are accusing the men that oversee the Feast of gender discrimination because club bylaws prohibit women from serving as “festeiras,” or committee members.
“That’s messed up and I won’t go … if they don’t fix that,” said resident Mary Torraco. “That’s terrible. I did not know that.”
Do you have an opinion yourself? Comment on this article or send us your thoughts at voices@newbedfordlight.org.
It’s a horrid situation and neither the city nor the event’s corporate sponsors should continue to prop up an organization and event if it continues to act in a discriminatory manner. New Bedford has enough of a reputation as a backwards and old-fashioned-thinking community. The last thing it needs to do is double down on that.
What’s wrong with traditions? If you don’t like something, don’t support it – it’s that simple!! As a female, I completely support this club and others that are sticking to it’s by-laws and traditions.
Tradition means that the same policies are followed in perpetuity. That’s great; however, times are changing which I welcome. Many, many organizations are updating their policies and practices to adapt.
As a senior woman of Madeiran ancestry, I believe that it is time to welcome women into positions of responsibility. The feast will be better for it.