During Women’s History Month, we should not only reflect on the past but also think about what we can do moving forward. Though women’s rights have advanced far beyond what they were 100 years ago, there is a lot of work to be done. Women’s advancement in the workplace, right to access healthcare, and opportunity to obtain an education are all issues that are important to the modern feminist movement. It’s also crucial that we consider the disparity of experiences of women living in different countries.
In order to understand where the feminist movement is going, the perspective of experts in the field and advocates can be helpful to guide us in the right direction. TEDx talks are an on-demand and accessible resource with readily available translation services. Within less than an hour, you can learn something new, like: What does it mean to be a feminist, why you should be a feminist, what we can learn from the history of feminism, what is intersectionality, and how can you be an ally?
If you’re interested in learning the answers to these questions, read below about America House’s compilation of Women’s History Month TEDx talks and hear from the diverse voices of the modern feminism movement.
What does it mean to be a feminist?
With 4.5 million views, this may be one of the most famous English TEDx talks. Adichie is a Nigeran writer who uses her TEDx talk to discuss the double standards for women and what the feminist movement can do to empower young girls. Her words from this speech are featured in Beyoncé’s 2014 song Flawless: “We say to girls, ‘You can have ambition but not too much, You should aim to be successful but not too successful. Otherwise, you will threaten the man’”.
Why are feminism and equality a good thing for everyone?
Michael Kimmel is an expert on masculinity and how masculinity is viewed in society. As both an author and a sociologist, Kimmel’s TEDx talk does an excellent job explaining why feminist theory and the promotion of equal rights are good for everyone. He makes the case that high rates of gender equality create higher levels of happiness, healthy children, and productivity. It’s a convincing argument that appeals to people of all different backgrounds and opinions.
What we can learn from our predecessors in the feminist movement, and how can we learn from their work and outlook?
In the 1960s and 1970s, Gloria Steinem was one of the most influential people involved with the second-wave feminist movement. She founded Ms. magazine and the Women's Media Center. During this TEDx interview, Steinem contributes to the dialogue about the recent surge of women in office and what continued action she hopes to see. Her main goal is to help young women feel inspired to reach their full potential because, “Because right now, when kids look at leaders, they don't necessarily see themselves”.
What is intersectionality, and what does it mean to the feminist movement?
The feminist movement in the United States that gained traction and gave women the right to vote was led by white women. Though it is remembered in history quite fondly, it was not an inclusive movement. Women of diverse backgrounds, like BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), did not gain the right to vote and legal protections until much later. Professor of Law Kimberlé Crenshaw explores the experiences of BIPOC women to help us think about how the feminist movement and legal system can encompass intersectionality.
How can I be an ally?
In this video, Elizabeth Nyamayaro talks about her remarkable activism campaign with the United Nations. Over the past few years, it is clear that Nyamayaro and the UN Women's HeForShe campaign have been quite successful. You have very likely seen the hashtag on Instagram with the photos of many celebrities, like Emma Watson. Using her advice, maybe you can brainstorm some ways to mobilize your community and involve diverse groups in feminism.
Vocabulary list:
disparity (n.) – a dissimilarity or difference of experiences
perspective (n.) – an outlook or point of view on an issue
on-demand (phrase) – available at any moment
intersectionality (n.) – the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage
ally (n.) – a person who supports and uplifts another person or group
double standard (n.) – a rule or principle which is unfairly applied in different ways to different people or groups
empower (v.) – make someone or something stronger or more confident
dialogue (n.) – an ongoing conversation between two people
surge (n.) – a fast growing increase
fondly (adv.) – with affection or liking
mobilize (v.) – to bring together for a common purpose
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bridgette Lang is an undergraduate student studying International Relations at Boston University. On campus, she helps run a collegiate Model United Nations Conference and manages finances for BU College Democrats. In her free time, Bridgette enjoys traveling, trying to learn Spanish, and visiting with her friends and family back home in Pennsylvania.