What is Feminismnot?

Good Question. Before the grand

unveiling we should clear up a few
rumors by explaining what feminism
is not.
1. Feminism is not man hating. As
long as Ryan Gosling is on this
planet how could anyone hate
men? Am I right?
2. There is no holy feminist
scripture prohibiting the act of
leg shaving.
3. Feminists do not think women
are superior to men. (I think
Im superior to
EVERYONEbut thats a
different thing.)
4. Feminism is not a cult that
encourages women to be like
men.
5. Just get all those witchcraft
ideas out of your head right
now!
6. Being a feminist does not
indicate anything about your
sexuality.
Lets get to the good stuff!

A feminist is anyone who recognizes

the equality and full humanity of
women and men. Gloria Steinem

We need to reclaim the word

'feminism'. We need the word
'feminism' back real bad.
When statistics come in
saying that only 29% of
American women would
describe themselves as
feminist - and only 42% of
British women - I used to
think, What do you think
feminism IS, ladies? What
part of 'liberation for women'
is not for you? Is it freedom to
vote? The right not to be
owned by the man you marry?
The campaign for equal pay?
'Vogue' by Madonna? Jeans?
Did all that good shit GET ON
YOUR NERVES? Or were you
just DRUNK AT THE TIME
OF THE SURVEY?
Caitlin Moran, How to Be a
Woman

Feminism is:
1. The movement for social,
political, and economic equality
for women and men
2. A movement seeking the end of
inequality and injustice.
Some other noteworthy definitions:
Feminism is the radical notion that
women are human beings.
Cheris Kramarae

The History of Feminism in Waves

Wave One: (1850s-1920s) Centered
on womens suffrage, which became a
reality in 1920 with approval of the
19th amendment. Also, concerned with
access to institutions women were
previously excluded from (higher
education, workplace etc)

Wave Two: (1960s-early 1980s)

Concerned with equal pay for equal
work and rights regarding abortion
and contraception. This movement
sought the creation of a nonpatriarchal institution for women.
Wave Three: (1980s-Present)
Feminists hold up a mirror to
themselves and recognize
contradictions within the movement.
A multi-cultural perspective is
encouraged.
Remind me, why do we need
feminism?
Uhcongress passed the 19th
amendment, so shouldnt feminism be,
like, done? NOPE. Although, womens
rights have truly come along way
since the 20th century we still have a
long way to go. Heres why,
-

Women still get paid 77 cents

to a mans dollar.
Health insurance companies do
not cover birth control but
cover Viagra.
78 females fall victim to rape
every hour.
Battering is the number one
cause of injury to women each
year.
Women are often still denied
paid maternity leave, causing
them to fall behind the
promotional latter which
further increases the gender
wage gap.
16% of movies feature female
protagonists.
Women take up 50.8 % of the
US but only 16.8% of congress.

A study in 2008 showed 65%

of American women between
the ages 25-25 had discovered
eating disorders.
1 in 4 women will be sexually
assaulted in her lifetime.

You sold me. How do I become a

Feminist?
CONGRATS! You already are a
feminist! Now with just THREE easy
payments of Just kidding! Feminists
are simply those who seek equal
opportunity for everyone. Whatever
your politics or religious beliefs, you
can the fit the feminist mantra into
your lifestyle.4
Babys First Feminist Dictionary!
Patriarchy: A male dominated society;
The most powerful positions are held
by men while the lowest are mostly
for women.
Misogyny: Institutionalized hatred of
women (i.e. giving things determined
as male a higher status)
Andocentric: A point of view that
classifies male practice as the norm
and female views a deviation from the
norm or as an unsuccessful
aspirations. Male aspects of society
apply to everyone, but things labeled
female are only for women.
Essentialism: The myth that certain
groups are born with certain innate
qualities.
Gender Binary: The two social
categories for men and women that
make up

The Beauty Myth- Naomi Wolfe coined

the phenomenon that sets woman
back no matter how many gains they
make. The myth of beauty keeps
women under constant patriarchal
control.
Wage Gap: the difference in average
pay between varying socio-economic
groups within society.
Social Construct Theory: The theory of
learned behavior based on the gender
assignment given at birth. Ones
identity is not inherent but built by
society.
Five Sexes: Ann Fausto-Sterling
named five genders in order to
encompass the full spectrum of human
sexuality. Fausto-Sterling came to this
conclusion by studying the
ambiguities in genitalia.

MAKE STATEMENTS also applies to us

women: Speak in statements instead of
apologetic questions. No one wants to go to a
doctor who says, Im going to be your
surgeon? Im here to talk to you about your
procedure? I was first in my class at Johns
Hopkins, so? Make statements, with your
actions and your voice.
Tina Fey