Interview With Andrea

I interviewed my good friend Andrea. Andrea is 34 years old, a mother of two, and a feminist. Andrea believes that a feminist is someone, male or female, who stands up for women’s rights and gets women involved in today’s issues concerning women. The book, “Women’s Voices, Feminist Visions” states that feminism is equality and justice for all women, and it seeks to eliminate systems of inequality and injustice in all aspects of women’s lives (Shaw & Lee 2012). Andrea stated that she has been a feminist since her junior year of high school, nineteen years ago. Her junior year U.S. history teacher assigned the class to do a research paper on feminism. “To be honest, I didn’t know anything about feminism, but once I started researching, I got more and more interested in the topic” (personal communication, February 11, 2012). Andrea said that doing the assignment opened up her eyes in many ways.

I asked Andrea what she does and does not like about being a feminist. She exclaimed that she did not like the stereotypes that are put on feminist. “Although I personally am openly bisexual, not all feminist are gay and butch” (personal communication, February 11, 2012). Andrea stated that when people usually think of feminist they think they are butch, man hating women, who go around burning bras. “Feminism has been subject to the following associations: Feminist hate men or want to be like men and selfishly want to create a new system of power over men. All feminist are said to be lesbians, women who choose romantic relationships with other women” (Shaw & Lee 2012). These stereotypes are not all true. To start, not all feminist are women. There are male feminist who support ending the exploitation of women.  Andrea is not butch at all. In fact, she is quite feminine. She was also once married and has children. Andrea breaks the stereotype of what feminist are thought to be like. When asked what she liked about being a feminist, she got a big smile on her face. “It feels good being able to stand up for something that you believe. To be able to give a voice to people who are unable, or not strong enough to speak up” (personal communication, February 11, 2012).

My next question for Andrea was if being identified as a feminist has caused her any problems? She stated that it has not necessarily brought her any major problems, but she has been ridiculed for being a feminist. When she is open with her male friends about being a feminist they will mock her and give her a hard time about it. “I’m sure I have not received many problems for being a feminist because I am not a radical feminist who is out making a big scene. I have my beliefs, but I do not shove them down people’s throats” (personal communication, February 11, 2012).

Andrea is very involved in Take Back The Night. Take Back The Night is an organization that works to end sexual assault, abuse, and sexual violence. Together we can Take Back The Night, Shatter The Silence, and Stop The Violence. “Not every woman has a voice, especially after just a traumatic event. It is my job to help them find their voice and strength” (personal communication, February 11, 2012). Andrea is also very passionate about putting an end to the glass ceiling. She believes it is wrong for a man to be paid more than a woman even though they are performing the same job. Although she does not believe that the day will come when men and women make equal pay, she said that does not stop her from fighting. In addition, Andrea has taken many Gender and Women’s Studies classes at Western Michigan University. She also raises her two children, regardless of sex, about women’s rights and how women are equal to men. I am a personal friend of Andrea’s, and I know firsthand how opinionated she is and that she will stand up and fight for whatever she believes in; even if she is standing alone.

I don’t believe that Andrea fits into any one category of feminist. I believe she is kind of a liberal feminist and also a sex-positive feminist. As I stated before, Andrea is openly bisexual and very open minded when it comes to sex. She believes sex is natural and healthy as long as one is being safe. This is why I would consider her to be a sex-positive feminist. Why I believe she would be a liberal feminist is because she is a white, middle class woman.

I am thankful for women like Andrea and the women in the past who have stood up for women’s right and what they believe in. I personally would not consider myself a feminist. I want equal rights just as much as the next women, but I do not have the passion and the drive that I see in Andrea. To be able to stand up for other women and equal rights is very admirable to me.

(A. Lilienstein, personal communication, February 11, 2012).   Andrea.m.olmstead@wmich.edu

Shaw, S.M. & Lee, J. (2012). Women’s Voices, Feminist Vision. New York City: McGraw-Hill.