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Your favourite feminist icons

81 replies

CardiffUniversityNetballTeam · 15/11/2015 08:32

I am quite in awe of Geena Davis of late. Speaking up about inequality in the U.S. film industry and the work she has done to raise the bar in women's roles in kids TV shows.
I'm not sure she is my all time top feminist icon though.
Who is your feminist hero, and why?

OP posts:
CallaLilli · 13/12/2015 23:01

So who does measure up to your stringent standards then norrean?

Lizawithaz · 13/12/2015 22:58

Norrean i think you should show us the evidence for this. Otherwise one may assume you're full of shit.

norrean · 13/12/2015 22:58

"Not Germaine Greer."

I don't know much about that one, but her comments on trans-women are utterly disgusting.

Cerseirys · 13/12/2015 22:52

What's the evidence that Malala's speeches are written by her father?

Ughnotagain · 13/12/2015 22:48

Not Germaine Greer.

Angela Carter is a big hero of mine.

norrean · 13/12/2015 22:44

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LineyReborn · 13/12/2015 22:43

Susan Faludi's 'Backlash' was awesome.

norrean · 13/12/2015 22:41

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TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 12/12/2015 19:49

I have a few very new feminist icons too.

Glosswitch is one, for her amazing writing and honesty. June Eric-Udorie, for her clarity of thought and dynamism (and blooming heck, she's only 16 or 17). Malala Yousafzai, no need to explain why.

And finally, Louise Pennington, for her utterly consistent and unstinting support of other women, no matter what their situation in life, supposed political positioning, or what other people think of them - she brings an honest appraisal to every situation and asks what the truly feminist thing is to do in each situation, and isn't afraid to stand up and be counted when what she thinks isn't the same as mainstream opinion. I feel very privileged to count her a friend, because she is the person out of everyone I know who most truly lives her feminism. (She's also done amazing things in setting up an effective campaign with absolutely no resources.)

Movingonmymind · 12/12/2015 19:01

Lisa Jardine ( RIP, died way before her time) Helena Kennedy, Geena Davis, Annie !ennox, fahma Mohamed, Clare short, germaine Greer (big apart from her blinkeredness on childbirth & childcare - heard her speak twice on this and she was rather dismissive...)

misskeyboardwarrior · 11/12/2015 19:28

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KarlosKKrinkelbeim · 11/12/2015 19:22

Mrs Thatcher.
I'll get me coat.

almondpudding · 11/12/2015 19:09

I think that Alice Walker has been hugely influential, but for some reason has fallen out of fashion.

AliveAlone · 11/12/2015 18:56

Vi Subversa. She formed a punk band in the 70's when she was a single mother in her 40's. She wrote and sang some really articulate and powerful songs about motherhood, single parenthood, abortion, mental illness and women's oppression. She's 80 now, still a punk and still performing.

sausageeggbacon111 · 11/12/2015 10:19

Vestal I found the fact that they flew bi planes at low speed at night. The sheer bravery of those women I find inspiring, even if I could fly, using a plane that is slow and very vulnerable I don't think I would be brave enough to do it. And it is a true measure of equality that both sexes fought side by side in the Russian army.

annandale · 10/12/2015 22:46

Kate Millett. I found Sexual Politics such an amazing read, much more so than The Female Eunuch which has brilliant moments but which IMo has dated a lot more.

And Martina Navratilova. She was the 80s to me.

thegiddylimit · 10/12/2015 22:40

rogueantimatter I was at school with Kath Mainland Grin. Orkney's not that small, it has a population of 20,000 doncha know!

VestalVirgin · 10/12/2015 22:01

What is feminist about the night witches? Other than fighting the misogynist German government of the time, I mean.

sausageeggbacon111 · 10/12/2015 21:02

If I have to chose an icon or in this case a group of women as an Icon it would be the night witches from the Russian second world war forces. I may not agree with the politics but what they did shows so much of what can be achieved. See here

AnyFucker · 01/12/2015 22:59

I am reminded of Rosa Parks this evening.

my favourite icons change regularly Smile

VashtaNerada · 01/12/2015 22:56

I like a lot of 'up and coming' feminists like Laura Bates, Emma Watson, Yas Necati, Lucy-Anne Holmes. I feel like there's an age limit before you become an icon though!

cromwell44 · 01/12/2015 20:31

Gotta be Germaine, but it may be a generational thing.

glamourousgranny42 · 01/12/2015 20:20

Yes I had forgotten Dale Spender. Man made language was an amazing discovery in my youth

Rosabud · 28/11/2015 22:45

Germaine Greer - because she has simply kept on and on and on over the years, regardless of whether her message has been 'in fashion' or not, and she has never given in.

And Dale Spender, because she introduced to me feminism at a brilliant university workshop many, many years ago.

glamourousgranny42 · 28/11/2015 22:01

Claire Short MP campaigned against page 3 long before it was fashionable to do so