The State of Feminism

I'm of a generation that has less rights than my mother. My grandmother fought for that. And that's a huge component. We're also existing at a time where our very existence in public life is being erased and in some parts of the world is erased. And frankly, none of our work really matters if we don't have a livable planet in the future. We can only have bodily autonomy on a livable planet. So I've been reflecting on the work of Robin Wall Kimmerer, who's an indigenous writer who wrote The Serviceberry [a book that] talks about mutual flourishing. So while our movement must be intergenerational, it must be intersectional, which we know, and definitely international, it actually has to be built off this idea of mutual flourishing and of all of our practices. So I keep thinking about radical inclusivity, like who should be part of every discussion in every room? And if they can't make it to the room, how do you just text them? Even if it's like 3:00 AM, be like, "Hey sister, what are you thinking? I know you're as frustrated as I am right now."

And part of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s thinking is also that the only way we can really fight the system right now and have a livable future is through disruption. So that means change, and that can be very uncomfortable. But the only way we can have this future is if we can be okay with change, be okay with the discomfort, and then use those times to think about what is the world we want. Because when it finally happens, which it will — and I hope we're all there together—we need to welcome her. We need to show her, "We saw you, we saw you coming here." And I guess I'm here to say that I'll do whatever it takes. I'm here to continue the work you've all done and be of service and gratitude.

I also want to shout out you all and give you all your roses, because what makes me hopeful is that I hope I can sit in this room at your age and have these meaningful conversations and look back, look forward, and find optimism and all of it. This actually makes me so hopeful for this movement, honestly.

These remarks have been edited for clarity and length. Portions of these remarks appeared at Women’s Media Center.