Rachel, 23. Boston, MA. My first feminist moment was in the third grade, when Ms. Johnson asked the class if anyone knew what a stereotype was. I raised my hand and said, “It’s when people think things that aren’t true, like that women should stay at home, barefoot and pregnant.” I struggled in my young adulthood to reconcile my fervent belief in gender liberation with my love of all things domestic. It was this anecdote from a life changing professor in the sociology of gender, that gave me permission to be who I am. She said that one birthday, her friend decided to throw her a tea party. She told one of her gender studies classes and a student said, “Tea party? That’s not feminist.” Professor M. said that feminism, to herself, meant that she could do whatever the fuck she wanted. In fact, in a patriarchy, feminized pursuits, qualities, and characteristics are systematically undervalued. So a tea party? Hell yeah. I love cooking, gardening, blogging, reading Kafka, and cleaning. I am a feminist. We’re showcasing the faces and voices of feminism. Why is gender equality important? What was your feminist awakening? What are the issues that matter to you most? How do you define feminism? Submit your “portrait” (in the form of text, images, music, or video) for inclusion in our Feminist Portrait Project at FeministComingOutDay.com and celebrate with us on March 8, 2011! Want to contribute to our campaign and help fund feminist media? Get a limited-edition “This Is What A Feminist Looks Like” tee with your contribution of $20 or more. (Stickers and buttons are also available.) Proceeds support our partner Bitch Magazine.

Rachel, 23. Boston, MA.

My first feminist moment was in the third grade, when Ms. Johnson asked the class if anyone knew what a stereotype was. I raised my hand and said, “It’s when people think things that aren’t true, like that women should stay at home, barefoot and pregnant.”

I struggled in my young adulthood to reconcile my fervent belief in gender liberation with my love of all things domestic. It was this anecdote from a life changing professor in the sociology of gender, that gave me permission to be who I am. She said that one birthday, her friend decided to throw her a tea party. She told one of her gender studies classes and a student said, “Tea party? That’s not feminist.”

Professor M. said that feminism, to herself, meant that she could do whatever the fuck she wanted. In fact, in a patriarchy, feminized pursuits, qualities, and characteristics are systematically undervalued. So a tea party? Hell yeah.

I love cooking, gardening, blogging, reading Kafka, and cleaning. I am a feminist.

We’re showcasing the faces and voices of feminism. Why is gender equality important? What was your feminist awakening? What are the issues that matter to you most? How do you define feminism? Submit your “portrait” (in the form of text, images, music, or video) for inclusion in our Feminist Portrait Project at FeministComingOutDay.com and celebrate with us on March 8, 2011!

Want to contribute to our campaign and help fund feminist media? Get a limited-edition “This Is What A Feminist Looks Like” tee with your contribution of $20 or more. (Stickers and buttons are also available.) Proceeds support our partner Bitch Magazine.