The sister of Republican U.S. Senator J.D. Vance has broken her silence after facing backlash for her comments about women who don’t have children or own cats. Courtney Vance, a lawyer and author, took to Twitter last week to express her frustration with people making assumptions about her based on her personal life choices.

Courtney Vance’s tweetstorm came after she responded to a tweet by journalist and activist, Amanda Marcotte, who had shared an article highlighting the ‘toxic masculinity’ of some men. In her response, Courtney Vance wrote that she was tired of being judged for not having children or owning cats, saying it was unfair to assume someone’s worth based on their personal life choices.

Her comments sparked a heated debate online, with many people defending her and others criticizing her for making generalizations about women who make different choices. Some even accused her of being ‘anti-feminist’ for speaking out against the notion that women should prioritize motherhood over other aspects of their lives.

In an exclusive interview with Newsweek, Courtney Vance spoke out further on the controversy, saying she was taken aback by the backlash and didn’t intend to offend anyone. ‘I’m a firm believer in a woman’s right to choose what’s best for her life,’ she said. ‘I think it’s important to respect people’s choices, whether that means having kids or not having kids, whether that means being childless or not being childless.’

Courtney Vance also emphasized the importance of challenging societal norms and expectations around gender roles.

‘What I’m trying to say is that we should be celebrating the diversity of women’s experiences,’ she said. ‘We shouldn’t be judging people based on what they do with their bodies or who they choose to spend time with. We should be supporting each other and celebrating our differences.’

The controversy surrounding Courtney Vance’s comments has sparked a wider debate about gender roles, feminism, and the societal expectations placed upon women.

As news of her comments spread, many took to social media to share their own stories about being judged or criticized for their personal life choices. Others defended Courtney Vance’s right to speak out against these expectations.

The incident serves as a reminder that women are still fighting for control over their bodies and lives in the face of societal pressure and gendered norms.