| Standing at the front of feminism |
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| Written by Anne-Marije Rook - Argonaut | ||||||
| Monday, 06 April 2009 | ||||||
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When Lysa Salsbury first joined the Women’s Center, she was handed the book “Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism, and the Future.”
The book explores the legacy of feminism and how political goals of today are not that different from those of preceding feminist generations. “I zipped through it,” she said. “It totally aligns with my ideology of feminism.” Thanks to Salsbury’s efforts, the co-authors of the book, Amy Richards and Jennifer Baumgardner, will be at the University of Idaho until Wednesday. Richards and Baumgardner are well known for their activism and books. The two have worked together on various projects since they met in 1993 at Ms. magazine. In addition to their collaborative work, Richards is the co-founder of the Third Wave Foundation, the voice behind the project director of Anna Deveare Smith’s “Twilight Los Angeles” theater piece and the author of “Opting In: Having a Child Without Losing Yourself.” Baumgardner writes for various magazines, including Glamour, The Nation, Real Simple and Harper’s. She is the creator of the “I Had an Abortion Project,” the author of “Look Both Ways: Bisexual Politics” and “Abortion and Life” and is currently working on an awareness project called “I Was Raped.” Last year at the National Women’s Studies Associate Conference, Salsbury attended a lecture on one’s individual privilege inherently given by society and how to use it for activism. The lecture was given by Richards and Baumgardner who both wrote extensively on the topic for their co-authored book “Grassroots: A Field Guide for Feminist Activism.” “They were phenomenal,” Salsbury said. “They blew me away.” When she spotted the authors signing books, Salsbury took the opportunity to talk to them. “We talked about parenting,” Salsbury said, a topic of Richards’ book “Opting In.” “I stayed at home for my kids, and I felt a great dissatisfaction with our reproductive roles,” Salsbury said. “I hated it. I missed having an identity outside of motherhood. I felt like the world’s biggest failure.” After talking for an hour and a half, Salsbury decided she was going to bring them to UI. “Feminism is such a scary word for young people today,” Salsbury said. “Amy and Jennifer bring it in an accessible way.” Last semester, Salsbury started to pound the pavement to raise funds, and the authors agreed to come to the 2009 Virginia Wolf Distinguished Service Awards on Wednesday. They also agreed to do a special lecture: “Bra-less Banshees vs. Brainless Barbies: Finding A Feminism that Calls My Name” tonight. “Usually people of their stature come, do their hour and then leave,” Salsbury said, “but they’re here doing things for two days before taking the red-eye back to New York.” During those two days, the women have a crammed itinerary. In addition to their two lectures, they will be visiting some Core classes and be part of the Fireside chat Wednesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Clearwater Room of the Idaho Commons hosted by the UI chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. “I’m going to the lecture because I think it’s hard for a woman to find where she stands in society,” UI history student Marriah Banghart said. “Like, are you a bad mother if you want to have a career? And if you do want to take your career further, you’re suddenly a raging feminist.” The Women’s Center is doing everything they can to give students a chance to get to know these well-known writers and activists. Salsbury said feminism is an issue that affects everybody, and today’s students have grown up in a world where they take it for granted. “There’s a disconnect with the word “feminism” and young people have mistaken notions of what feminism is,” Salsbury said. “This is a great opportunity to learn where the movement is going.” The “Bra-less Banshees vs. Brainless Barbies” lecture will take place at 6:00 p.m. tonight in the Whitewater Room of the Idaho Commons. The authors will be signing their books following the talk.  Add as favorites (43) | Views: 843
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