There are few writing situations that can't be handled to allow for two genders. I figure that if you know the gender, use it (the chairman/woman thing I posted above). If ya don't, the go to an all-encompassing construction.

Language can be used as a tool to keep people 'down'. We see that in things like the Bible, Koran, etc. They come from a time when women were seen foremost as property and not people. Thus, God is a male in the literature, and He is masculine. As to being PC, there are limits to that. Some words enjoy a utility because they are good words. The term 'bastard' can be used denotatively, but connotatively it has other meanings and they are quite opposite. A friend wrote to me recently and called me a rotten ol' bastard. I agreed. Someone who's not a friend calling me a rotten old bastard might would have some problems, because I really am a rotten old bastard. It is parenthetically interesting that the term bastard is not used connotatively with females.

The word awful--about 400 years ago--was complimentary. "Your hair is awful." That was meant to say that "Wow, your hair inspires awe because of its beauty". Languages change.

As to the retelling of the WC story, I have no idea if it's true or not. However, it sure sounds like something Winnie would have said/done, so even if it isn't true, it's OK.

BM