Want to learn more about feminism? We’re with you!
We are also learning more every day about feminism and the movement’s leaders and history.
First, since feminism is such a big movement, spanning generations and including many people with all kinds of beliefs and goals, let’s define what *we* mean when we talk about “feminism.”
What we mean by “Feminism”
We adapt our definition of feminism from that of feminist theorist bell hooks:
“Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression” [from Feminism is for Everybody] and “to want for all people, female and male [and all genders], liberation from sexist role patterns, domination and oppression.” [from Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism]
Based on the theory of intersectionality, a framework created by Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw:
Intersectional feminism recognizes that experiences under systemic oppression differ for people who belong to multiple marginalized groups across spectrums including race, ability, sexuality, gender, gender identity and economic status.
We believe that feminism is not an achievement or an identity, but an ongoing commitment.
The feminism we are committed to is not one that seeks to reverse roles of oppression, but rather to dismantle oppression in service of a more equitable community for all.
An Introduction to Our Work
Why we care about (and use) inclusive language
Feminist resources and events (including ours) can sometimes use words that may be unfamiliar to those outside the movement. While we try to simplify our language to be welcoming to folks in all places on their feminist learning journey, there are terms we use for inclusivity or accessibility reasons that may still be new to you.
To help, we compiled this (ever-evolving) guide to inclusive language:
Why feminism needs “intersectionality”
The need for intersectional feminism arose from less inclusive feminist movements which centered white women, excluded trans women and nonbinary folks, largely ignored racism and were primarily interested in middle-class and upper-class career mobility.
Founder Crystal Paradis wrote about what intersectional feminism is and why it’s needed:
Why we need everyone in this movement with us
We hope that someday feminist values will be the norm, but until then, we need everyone in this movement with us. Oppressive structures like patriarchy are harmful to all genders, which is why we advocate not to reverse these unhealthy power structures but to dismantle them altogether and build equitable alternatives.
To get you started, here are notes (with links) from a 2018 workshop we led:
Learn more about our mission, values and approach
Additional feminist publications, media outlets and modern leaders to learn from — follow their work:
- bitch media
- Call Your Girlfriend podcast
- The Guilty Feminist podcast
- adrienne maree brown
- The Ann Friedman Weekly
- Queery podcast
- Rebecca Traister
- Aminatou Sow
- Jessica Valenti
For deeper learning, buy, check out or borrow these books (we’ve got some of them in our Feminist Oasis Library):
- Feminism is for Everybody by bell hooks
- Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
- On Intersectionality by Kimberlé Crenshaw
- My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem
- Women, Race, & Class by Angela Davis
- Redefining Realness by Janet Mock
- Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth
- Emergent Strategy & Pleasure Activism by adrienne maree brown