'Domestic revolt' in Calif.
Senators protest pastor's remarks on women's role
Associated Press
May. 25, 2004 12:00 AM
SACRAMENTO - California state lawmakers staged a "domestic revolt" Monday, some donning kitchen aprons and scarlet "M's" to protest a pastor who characterized as sinners female legislators with young children at home.
Democratic Sen. Debra Bowen went barefoot on the Senate floor, bringing along a toaster and other kitchen accessories to her desk.
"Today, I'll be serving up a billion dollars in savings for PG&E customers, identity-theft legislation ... along with bacon and eggs, getting my shopping list together and preparing to can," she said.
Legislators were offended by what the Rev. Ralph Drollinger, who leads a Bible study class for lawmakers, wrote during a Bible lesson in April.
"It is one thing for a mother to work out of her home while her children are in school," Drollinger wrote. "It is quite another matter to have children in the home and live away in Sacramento for four days a week. Whereas the former could be in keeping with the spirit of Proverbs 31, the latter is sinful."
About a dozen senators joined the protest, including Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, who presided over the Senate wearing a pink flowered apron.
Drollinger said he was not speaking about single mothers who have to work, nor was he saying women should not run for office.
"I'm all for the female legislators serving our great state with all of their giftedness, in due time," Drollinger said.
