Speaking of Feminism

July 19, 2019

Seidman (director, Southern Oral History Program, Ctr. for the Study of the American South, Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) explores 21st-century feminism through the lenses of 25 activists from around the country. Each history is summarized into a cohesive story detailing the interviewee's experiences in their respective cities, from their feminist foundations to their current activist work. These histories are divided into three categories based on age: activists in their 40s, 30s, and 20s. This allows readers to see where these individuals may have been influenced by the feminism of their youth or the circumstances of their time. Each subject discusses the impact their past experiences continue to have on their work, as well as what they see as the future of the movement. A limiting factor to this resource is that the interviewees are all located in urbans area, so activism being done in places less receptive to the concept of feminism is not addressed. Nevertheless, this is a good introductory look into how feminism is perceived in the 21st century, and the work that is yet to be done. VERDICT While focused exclusively on urban areas, this collection provides a unique and significant perspective into the feminist canon.--Ahliah Bratzler, Indianapolis P.L.

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