You know, if Jewishfeminist would have called it library, it would not have bothered me at all. I have no issues with women learning. It’s the term Beis Medrash that doesn’t sit well with me. It sounds like the women are trying to be like the men, and that’s not what Hashem wants. Do you think girls who read from the Torah on their Bat Mitzvah are doing something good? I bet their “yiras shamayim” is being strengthened. (that’s sarcasm for those who missed it)
Ames, I think she just called is a Beis Medrash because thats what they are generally called. I don’t think it was a “feminist” line. As for reading the Torah at a Bat Mitzvah – its not something I did (nor want to), but as long as your Rav says its allowed (I think women use a different bracha?) and its something you feel will help your yiras shamayim, then yes, I do think its a good thing.
Feivel, another reason I think a womens Beis Medrash (or library if you prefer) is more likely to get respect is that the people in there are only really serious learners. With men, lots of men go because they feel compelled to or forced or whatever and its not JUST the serious learners.
Interstingly (and somewhat similiar), my rav told me that today there is no real thing as a real shul anymore – he said if they were to classify themselves that way, no one would be able to utter a word (including the Rabbi himself to give a shiur). I don’t know all the details (if anyone else does feel free to fill it in), but thats one reason I was leaning towards a real Beis Medrash doesnt exist anymore.