Here’s why we still need your feminism, and how you can get involved.
This month-- March-- is Women’s Month. I'm sure by now you've even seen enough posts on Women's Month to last a lifetime. Maybe you've read comments or heard people ask, “why is feminism even relevant anymore?” Although society may seem equal when we look at the surface value of things, there are many disparities that women still face today. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will understand the need for feminism and how you can get involved.
For one, feminism is necessary because women still earn less than men. According to data from the Census Bureau in 2018, women of all races earn, on average, 82 cents to every $1 a man earns. This is even worse for Latinx women, who earn 54 cents, and Black women who earn 62 cents, to every dollar a man makes. This is often caused by external factors -- women often need to stay home with their children. In September of 2020, 80% of those who left the workforce were women, often because of COVID and a lack of childcare.
Women are also underrepresented in government -- even in a congress that has the most diverse electorates in history, only 25% of the Senate and 23% of the House are women. Plus, according to Business Insider, although women make up almost 50% of the workforce, “women account for just 17% of board members, 15% of C-Suite executives, and 5% of CEOs.”
You've just read the facts, and hopefully you want to change society and advance equality for women. But there’s still the lingering issue -- too many women, when asked if they are feminists, grimace and say no. This is (most likely) because of the perception that all feminists are “radical,” “bra-burning,” or “don't like men.” However, feminism is simply the idea that women should be treated equally to men, in every aspect of life. There’s no “one way” to be a feminist. In fact, we should all be “feminists,” simply because we all (hopefully) agree that women deserve equality. Feminism means whatever you want it to, and the way you act on your feminism can look many different ways.
So how can you act on your feminism? In my time as an activist, I've learned a couple of things. For one, look around and ask your friends! Find out when protests are going on near you, and if you feel comfortable, join them! Or if that's not your thing, look for organizations online (I will link a few at the bottom). Plus, there are probably people you know who do amazing volunteer work you knew nothing about. So ask around!
Another thing: shape your activism around your passions. Don't get involved in an organization where you do work that won't interest you. If you're an artist but care about the wage gap, look for an art-based organization to join. If you like social media, look for a place where you can run their social media pages.
Activism doesn’t always have to be a big event -- hosting small get-togethers to educate people in your community is super important. Even a one-on-one conversation that educates and inspires someone plays a part in changing the world, so don't be discouraged if you feel your activism is “small.” Another important thing is to get educated. You may think you know everything, but you most likely don't. If you're going to go into the world and fight for your cause, make sure you can defend your point of view with facts. Plus, the more you know, the better, especially in activism!
By now, you should understand that feminism is super important, and hopefully you're inspired to get to work to make society equal. Use these tips to find the right organization for you, and get to work changing the world!
This project began because of the Jewish, feminist fellowship program Kol Koleinu!