by Emily Alpert
'To me, feminism always just meant being a mean woman,' said Jasmine White, a freshman at the Young Women's Leadership Charter School. 'When I came here tonight, I thought, uh oh, here's a whole bunch of angry women. But now I'm a feminist!'
On Jan. 18, White was among the 50-plus attendees of 'Defining the F-Word,' the kick-off to the Chicago Foundation for Women's monthly 'Women of Color and Feminism' discussion series. Moderator Evette Cardona, co-founder of the LBQ women's group Amigas Latinas, posed questions to representatives from the foundation's Leadership Councils, which represent the concerns of African-American, Asian-American, Latina and LBT women.
'Being a woman of color, it's hard for me to really own the word 'feminist,'' said Takeesha Hart-Holmes, a Field Museum program developer and member of the African American Leadership Council. Historically, explained Holmes, Black women and other women of color were excluded from the feminist movement.
Women of color have different concerns than white women, added Latina Leadership Council member Tania Sanchez. 'We have to overcome certain things before we start talking about gender alone,' she said, citing immigration issues as a personal example.
Six years ago, in response to such concerns, the Chicago Foundation for Women formed the Leadership Councils to address the specific issues facing women from under-represented communities. Last September, the councils conceived the discussion series as 'a way to have this conversation with our constituency,' said Mary Morten, Director of Leadership Development. Noting the event's large turnout, Morten added, 'We couldn't be happier.'
During the discussion, audience members shared their own feelings about the word 'feminism' and its place in their lives.
''Feminism' is that 800-pound gorilla in the room,' said Eulalia House. Though her father encouraged her to follow her dreams, she said, 'you never would have heard him say, 'We're raising you to be a feminist.'' Many people of color are more comfortable with the term 'independent' than 'feminist,' said House.
Other attendees raised the issue of class. 'There are women who don't have the privilege of being here [ tonight ] ,' said Tereska Haman, co-chair of the African American Leadership Council. 'There are women who don't even have the time to think about feminism.'
Panelists also discussed instances of sexism within their communities, from Bollywood to Spanish-language TV, and the potential threat to Roe v. Wade.
'What brought me to groups like NOW, with women who didn't look like me, was Roe v. Wade,' said Vernis Likes of the African American Leadership Council. 'Regardless of how I felt about choice, or not-choice, I had to have control of my own body.'
Recalling White's remarks, foundation director Hannah Rosenthal concluded, 'I stand before you a feminist, but I'm also an angry woman. ... There is a five-to-four vote currently on the Supreme Court that has guaranteed us the right [ to an abortion ] , and it is at risk.'
The event was held at 1 E. Wacker, where the Chicago Foundation for Women is housed. Subsequent events in the series will be held at Columbia College's Ludington Building. 'Defining the F-Word' is co-sponsored by Columbia College's Institute for the Study of Gender and Women in Arts and Media.
