The Nation: The Feminist Mystique

The Hefnerian pinup calendar, cave art of barracks and filling stations, has brought a feminist riposte of sorts—the second annual edition of “The Liberated Woman’s Appointment Calendar and Field Manual 1972.” Compiled by two New York women journalists, the spiral-bound booklet is a compendium of feminist history, humor, sayings and survival lore.

For the week of Leap Year day, the calendar has tips on feminist wedding ceremonies—omit the word “obey” from the traditional vows, write your own marriage ritual: “We promise to love, cherish, and groove on each other and all living things. We promise to smash the alienated family unit . . . We promise these things until choice do us part.” For the second week in April, there is a self-defense karate lesson: “To use this right-foot snap-kick . . .” Nature hints: “Some fish reverse more than just sex roles—they actually consume the other gender.” Nonviolent put-off for a masher: “You can have my body when I’m through with it.”