Feminist Boot Camp

Steinem and Romeo
Photograph courtesy of Carly Romeo

I am elbow-deep in a large black box overflowing with old photos and letters—the documents of the 1960s [U.S.] women’s liberation movement as experienced by Gloria Steinem. After only five minutes of browsing through their impressive contents, I’ve seen countless scenes of energetic marches, protests, and luncheons with other stars of the second wave. However, for some reason I’m more excited by tagging along with Lauren (the one who gave me this box to entertain myself with while she answered a few emails) than by the mementos of my feminist foremother. We’re in Lauren’s small office on the 33rd floor of a building on Wall Street, and although she apologized profusely for leaving me alone while she does a few administrative things, I’m glad to have a break. It’s been a busy week.

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Although my six days at SoapBoxInc’s Feminist Immersion Week (or “Feminist Boot Camp” as I called it) were indeed busy, everything I learned was worth the hustle and bustle.

In fact, even signing up for it was a learning experience! About a year ago, the feminist club on grounds (FIFE: Feminism is for Everyone) co-sponsored a debate for which we booked Amy Richards, a noted feminist author. As the president of the group, I organized a pre-debate meet-and-greet with Ms. Richards and had a chance to talk with her about feminism, activism, and being a writer. In December, I got word that she and Jennifer Baumgardner (another feminist author) were hosting a January Term Program for students from Hollins University, which is coincidentally in my hometown. I was so thrilled by the advertisement for the week of events that I emailed Ms. Richards immediately and asked if non-Hollins students were allowed to participate. I must admit that I hit “send” with a small flood of nervous questions in my mind: Would she remember me? Is this a silly request? Am I too late to sign up? The response I received was warmer and more enthusiastic than I had ever hoped and a few weeks later I was walking through New York City to Amy’s apartment for the welcome dinner.

Here’s how it worked: Amy Richards and Jennifer Baumgardner organized meetings and informational sessions—usually three or four each day—for me and the other Boot Camp attendees (all of whom were from Hollins University). Through their hard work, we got to visit places like the Third Wave Foundation, Planned Parenthood NYC, The Sackler Center for Feminist Art, the Women’s Media Center, the Feminist Press, the Bluestockings Bookstore, BUST Magazine, UNICEF, and more! We were able to meet Lynn Paltrow of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, Stacey Rees, a midwife and activist, and even Gloria Steinem; the week’s events gave myself and the Hollins students an inside look at places and organizations that many of our peers will never see. What I took away from the experience was not only a sense of awe but a deep sense of empowerment, self-confidence, and excitement for the future.

This feeling came to the forefront just a few hours after I had the chance to look through Gloria’s documents. I had branched off from a Hollins-specific activity scheduled for the other Boot Camp attendees and tagged along with Lauren Brannon, Amy’s and Jennifer’s right-hand woman, to her office at the Ms. Foundation on Wall Street I was thrilled to get a chance to look through Gloria’s documents, which Lauren was helping to label and archive. By coincidence, that afternoon Lauren was planning on attending a meeting at the Ford Foundation (the group funding the archiving project) with Gloria to discuss the project’s progress. I nearly fell over when I was asked if I would like to join them, and most of what happened after I agreed is a blur. I remember waiting with Lauren in front of the enormous Ford Foundation building, waiting for Gloria to arrive; even though I had met her the day before at the Boot Camp’s scheduled sit-down, I felt incredibly nervous. I remember having our coats taken, and giddy secretaries addressing “Ms. Steinem” with the utmost respect. I remember being shown to the meeting room with Gloria and noticing the generosity of her smile, which she offered to everyone she met. I remember being seated with Lauren at the vast conference table which was quickly filled with almost forty Ford employees. But I must say that what I remember most was when a Ford employee raised her hand and asked Gloria, “What is the future of feminism? What issues are important to feminists now?” Almost immediately, Gloria pointed to me and Lauren and answered, “Why are you asking me? Ask them! I believe my young colleges are much more qualified to answer that.”

I suddenly felt incredibly important, not because the famous Gloria Steinem had called me her college, but because what she said was true—I am the future of feminism! Myself, the Hollins students, SWAG students, and all young feminists have in our hands the opportunity and privilege to go out into the world and fight for gender equality. Some may scoff at my pre-graduation idealism but I would say to them: I’ve seen it. Each person I met during my time in Feminist Boot Camp is doing his or her part to change the world, even if the change is slow, and even if it’s hard work. And I can’t wait to join them.