Panel explores feminism

By Grace Meiners

Published March 11, 2008

Ann Friedman, an MU graduate and an editor on the feministing.com blog, will return to her alma mater Wednesday along with Jessica Valenti, the site’s creator, for the “Blogging Feminism” panel discussion as a part of Women’s History Month.

The discussion, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Mark Twain Ballroom, will feature Valenti, author of “Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman’s Guide to Why Feminism Matters” and creator of the Web site. She said she and Friedman would speak about the changing face of feminism and its role today.

Valenti said she created feministing.com to report on feminist news in a fun and accessible way. She said this accessibility and humor appeals to women who might be tentative to call themselves a feminist.

“I wanted to make it a site where young women who are not necessarily politically active or in a women’s studies class can learn about feminism,” she said.

Valenti said that feministing.com is different from other feminist organizations in that it features writers with different opinions while providing a space for discussion.

“We have a constant conversation,” she said.

Friedman said the blogs are a powerful new arena for feminism.

“We broaden the scope of feminist viewpoints and have an impact on mainstream media,” she said.

MU Women’s Center program coordinator Jenny Dills, a faithful reader of feministing.com and a huge fan of Valenti’s book, said when she took the position at the Women’s Center last summer, she decided to bring “Blogging Feminism” to campus.

Dills said she hopes that people will gain a better understanding of what it means to be a feminist, and how feministing.com is changing the appearance of feminism.

She said it was important to her to have the “Blogging Feminism” discussion panel during Women’s History Month in order to honor the Web site’s work with feminism.

“While Women’s History Month is a look back at how far we’ve come, it’s also a prospective look to the future,” Dills said.

Women’s Center adviser Struby Struble said she hopes those attending can learn from Valenti and Friedman. She said that many women think they have to give up their values and interests for their career.

“They live their principles and ideals through their workplace,” she said.