Feminist Winter Term: Day 2

Recap of Feminist Press:

We met with Gloria Jacobs, Executive Director of the FP, as well as her extended staff. Among the tales reguiled, we became familiar with some of the specifics of publishing, as well as feminist publishing specifically. The Feminist Press is the oldest feminist publisher in the world.

Some of the intricacies of the publishing process: editing, book design, and book promotions and author publicity, became familiar to us after our visit. It is clear that a lot of work goes into producing books- and making them successful! For the Feminist Press, the task also entails an extra step: "we do books that tell a different story," Jacobs said, noting that a new philosophy of the Press has been to expand their outlook to include social justice pieces not necessarily focused on women, but linked to them through their interests or well-being.

Check out their newest project at: underthemicroscope.com

Recap of WMC:

 The Soapbox Winter Term girls were exposed to a wide array of career advice when they stumbled into the Women's Media Center, snacking on Cosi sandwiches and huddling together for what became a panel discussion between Feministing's Courtney, Susan Dominus, and the WMC's Rebekah. What the activists learned was:

- Feminist work is often varied and multifaceted, and allows you to take on multiple roles

- Many times there are jobs that pay, and jobs that we are passionate about: and sometimes, you can have both.

- Writing is a good outlet for meeting other people, learning more about yourself, and gaining status in the academic world. Learning to interact with media will make you more powerful not only as an activist, but a citizen.

- Most media disparities in representations of women and women's issues could be changed if viewers actively engaged with broadcasters and publishers. Get your voice out there!

Check out the WMC's newest project at notunderthebus.com!

Recap of BUST:

Debbie of BUST does not have much to say about American Spirits, but she has a lot to say about feminism. Debbie, who founded the magazine with her friends and originally saw it as a side 'zine project, wants to use BUST to shift feminism from critics to creators. (Where BITCH will critique pop culture, BUST seeks to help feminists create and support feminist pop culture.)

Debbie wants BUST to be a magazine that gives women a varied perspective on their own lives, and allows them a space to be proud of their gender expression regardless of whether it is seen as butch, femme, feminist, or traditional. By reclaiming the "feminine" areas of magazine writing, like covering beauty and giving women recipes, BUST seeks to re-empower women to embrace the traditionally feminine while also praising women who push the boundaries in pop culture. "A feminist culture can be more than complaining. I see BUST as a celebration," she said.