Small feminist acts

This thread is joyful

I decided on the spur of the moment to drop into one of our town councillor's surgeries this morning in a local cafe. We had a good discussion around being gender critical, he has asked me to send him more information, and I felt quite pleased that I had 'outed' myself IRL for the first time
Even better though, a table of women nearby were listening in and nodding in agreement with me. They all left with leaflets

My y3 son has chosen knitting and sewing as optional tasks - completely self-directed. I'm so pleased that he has this option and that he chose it.

Not really a small act of feminism but hopefully a sign that things are improving in that sense.

I think that posting on MN can be a feminist act a lot of the time

Recently I have tried to draw attention to how traditionally "feminine" pursuits and fields have value and can be of interest to everyone. I don't know why some of this stuff isn't still taught to girls but also boys too (e.g. needlecraft) as it is useful and impressive. I'm not religious but I also go out of my way to support the local mothers union group as the women behind it are incredibly dedicated and run playgroups etc that benefit the whole community. It really annoys me when they're efforts aren't properly appreciated even by their own church.

I think you need to go and lay down in a dark room for a long time.
What a ridiculous sexiest misandric posting.

@KarBB
Yes that pissed me off to...I suspect that's why my safety shoes don't fit! Especially round the ankle they are probably smaller versions of mens and I'm big for a woman 5ft 8" weirdly I have bigger/longer hands than my hubby.
I work in an manufacturing were I will be able to bring in considering women when developing our next products.

I stuck my head cautiously above the parapet at work today. They linked to our new equalities at work web page, with a discussion thread. And I pointed out that the list of protected characteristics should include "sex." One colleague has liked my post so far.

I just read this article which is so infuriating I felt I had to share. I'd live so ideas for SFA that can help tackle some of these inequalities. https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/feb/23/truth-world-built-for-men-car-crashes?CMP=ShareiOSApppOther&twitterrimpression=true

I've been trying to do this,

So will switch around between male and female when reading to the kids.

With my older 2 who are girls I'll point out the sexism/ abuse of women in the tale...would sleeping beauty really fall in love with the person who threatened her father and kidnapped her?? Led to me explaining what Stockholm syndrome is.

Whenever I hire I ask the agency to ensure there's female candidates.

Ready for the right opportunity I have the phrase "oh is it operated by your penis? "... haven't used it yet but sadly think I will need to in my very male dominated industry.

I share women's triumphs and am trying to stick to books by women.

www.heraldscotland.com/news/17454134.dolly-the-sheep-pioneer-on-brink-of-cancer-treatment-breakthrough/

Oh I love this thread.

I decided around the time of the Ched Evans case to always believe women. It's a quiet act but I've found it immensely powerful.

I retweet women, try to talk about my feminism, talk to DS about it all the time as well as talking and role modelling consent. There's also a brilliant twitter feed about women's art which I try to find time to look at and share.

A peak transed an old friend today, does that count?

Oh, I didn't mean to shout pants there...

We've just added the Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls podcast to our car rotation. Another one we listen to a lot is PANTS on Fire which is hosted by one woman and one man robot and always has one male and one female contributor. And the show's stated aim is to teach critical thinking.

I spend all my spare cash on buying work from female artists, I've got a steadily growing collection now and I love having a wall of the female gaze. Also buying tshirts from artgirlsrising on Instagram, wearing them has prompted some really interesting conversations with strangers about female artists and they donate money to women's charities. I also have all of the 'little people big dreams' books for DD, they are a fantastic resource for showing the outstanding things women have done, they've even taught me things I didn't know.

Another child-related one, and all in age appropriate language and from a young age:
That you are equally happy if they want to be with a woman or with a man when they grow up.
That nobody can really change sex but anyone can wear whatever they like or look however they want.
That there’s no such thing as stuff ‘just for girls’ or ‘just for boys’, and that people that insist on that being true are being a little bit silly.
That their body belongs to them (and to learn the NSPCC pants rule).
That it’s fine to say no to something to do with your own body unless it’s for necessary for your health - like visiting the doctor or dentist- or keeping yourself healthy like brushing teeth and eating veg.

I attempted to put a man right on our local FB Page when he was moaning about our “Top Women of xxx Town award” being sexist and how the prize of a bunch of flowers diminishes women. I thanked him and told him we’d decide what diminishes us.

That's the one sashh

beeyourself

Would that be the one I was tweeting about yesterday? Offers a female gym but was proposing no female changing.

Good for you @Franberry!

I work with 3-4 year olds and sadly find I need to have this topic in mind every day. I change the sex of characters in books and soft toys to ensure we have a smattering of females at least. I have even had to point out to a colleague that cows are always female!! I try really hard to challenge stereotypes about toys and clothes all the time, although it is a lonely uphill struggle at times.

I've made a big fuss (along with many others) when a leisure centre announced they were replacing the female changerooms for family changerooms. Between us all making a fuss, they've agreed to not remove female single sex changerooms

Doesn't bother Women's hour - most topics on a tight replay loop.

This is a small feminist act; they know that a large proportion of their listeners are regularly being interrupted by children.

Chattylion yes to female characters good and bad. And also female characters who are morally OK but gobby. Jacqueline Wilson does this well.

Re not using gendered nick names like princess, I have also stopped using names like poppet & pickle unless I would also use them for a boy. It’s interesting how many of these that aren’t perhaps overtly sexist actually are when you stop and think about them.