The Pittsburgh Press (January 5, 1943)
Ferguson: The Squaw ideal
By Mrs. Walter Ferguson
Katharine Hepburn, living exponent of the butterfly female, whose screen fame has made her an example for millions of molting juveniles, says American women are lacking in love for their government.
We don’t stack up so well alongside the Russians who, according to the fiery actress, are truly emancipated and passionately in love with the system which freed them – meaning communism, of course.
Honestly, aren’t you just a wee bit tired of our exotic element going off the deep end for the USSR? It seems to me we can admire the Russians and their defense of their country, without wanting to copy their habits or ideals, or advocating a return to the Dark Ages.
For that’s about what some of our ladies who haven’t lifted a potholder in their lives are doing.
After centuries of struggle, women are emerging from barbarism. Little children are released from hard labor; and one of the objectives of the Soviet plan was to lift the peasant to a more comfortable economic level. Which makes it all the more ironic to hear Americans lauding the Squaw ideal.
Russian women do love their system, but not because it has put guns into their hands and given them a chance to work. The common women of Russia have worked like galley slaves since the dawn of history. What they’re in love with in their system is now the pay they are given for their work.
Labor and initiative are materially rewarded, regardless of sex, which has been a custom in our country for some time, not perfected as yet, of course, but steadily improving. According to her theory, Miss Hepburn should burn with a passionate devotion to our system since she has earned a fortune at her career.
Let’s go back to first base, girls. We’re living in the United States of America, where women are treated better than anywhere else on earth. May the Soviets successfully work out their destiny, but for Heaven’s sake, let’s stick to our own.