We’ve all come a long way from Kansas! Feminism in The Wizard of Oz

We’ve all watched the MGM film The Wizard of Oz from 1939. But did you know that the original novel, written fully 39 years earlier, contained ideas about femininity that were quite progressive at that time and still are today? The feminist tendencies of his novels do not come as such a big surprise if… Read More

We’ve Got To AC-CENT-uate the Positive

Photo by hotblack If you aren’t familiar with the #NotBuyingIt campaign you simply MUST go and check it out. The campaign has shamed companies into withdrawing products and spurred national discussion during the Super Bowl. I even donated $50 to their IndieGoGo Campaign for building a #NotBuyingIt App (which I recommend as well!) The success… Read More

How to Pierce the Veil of Patriarchy

So you’ve opened your eyes and mind to the reality that our world is dominated by a culture of patriarchy – now what? The journey doesn’t end there. As a long time feminist, I have seen my own worldview and feminist identity go through many iterations. I have learned that as a straight, white, middle… Read More

SFF + Feminism + Happiness = WISCON

WisCon is the world’s leading Feminist Science Fiction Convention – and now I know why! The schedule was packed with events ranging from “How to Ally“, to “Female Sexuality in Rhoda Broughton’s Twilight Stories”, to getting your face painted and watching episodes of Jem until 3 in the morning. But don’t take my word for… Read More

Humanism and Egalitarianism: are they Feminist Umbrellas?

Today I want to discuss feminism and how it relates to humanism and egalitarianism. The argument I have heard, and subsequently dwelled upon, can be summed up with the following questions: Aren’t you for equality for everyone? Then why are you a feminist? Why aren’t you egalitarian? Or a humanist? Have you ever been confronted… Read More

Three Minutes in 5th Grade

“You look like winter.” a man’s voice said. We pressed our ears against the thin wallpapered sheet rock separating the hotel rooms, trying to imagine the unimaginable. The sound of sheets moving and the squeak of mattress springs made us look at one another with wide eyes. Jackpot! Jimmy started snickering, but a shoulder punch… Read More