#WHATSYOURFEMINISM
THE WOMEN BEHIND
#WHATSYOURFEMINISM
16 WOMEN FROM THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY
SAMANTHA ALTMAN
My name is Samantha Altman and I found feminism by growing up alongside my mother's marketing company, The Altman Group. As I noticed the approaches my mother had to take in approaching her business as a woman's business owner in a male-dominated field, I also saw the ways in which my dad offered insight and ideas that were otherwise blurred because of my mom's gender. Today I work, advocate and train those hoping to teach individuals with disabilities, including but not limited to women and girls. My feminism has helped me understand that each element of our lives piece together to generate the bigger picture known as intersectionality, which ceases to be complete without the inclusion of all individuals.
NATALIA ZAK
My name is Natalia Zak and I came to feminism in college after taking my first Women and Gender Studies Course. I interned with the Working Group on Girls and was able to attend the Commission on the Status of Women 58 at the UN and presented presented research I did with girls attending the conference at NWSA in Puerto Rico. My experiences with WGS classes and faculty at TCNJ has shaped my feminism in more ways than I ever could have imagined!
TAYLOR IODICE
I became a feminist as early as fourth grade when I began to learn and read more about the feminist movement and realize how closely it aligned with my values. I furthered my passion for social justice, informed by my feminist beliefs, when I entered into TCNJ as a freshman Women and Gender Studies major. I believe that feminism is truly meaningful for all people and EVERYONE should be a feminist!!!
SAM DOOLEY
My name is Sam Dooley and I came to feminism in high school however these ideals were reinforced through my work in gendered violence. I work for the TCNJ anti-violence office and seeing the power differentials between men and women in sexual assault and domestic violence made me want to change the way women are valued in our society. Being a WGS student at TCNJ has helped me to understand the importance of inclusion in feminism and see how feminist ideals can help many different kinds of people.
SUSAN VANDINE
My name is Susan Vandine and I claimed myself as a feminist during my first WGS class at TCNJ. As an education and WGS major, feminism plays an extremely important role in my life. My education has allowed me to realize the importance of gender equality and how far we still have to go to achieve it fully. Feminism has also helped me to adopt a gender friendly teaching style that will ensure my classroom is a safe and comfortable learning environment for all of my students. My feminism is knowing that all my students, regardless of their gender, will be able to grow up and become whatever they want to be.
LAURA ALSHAMIE
My name is Laura Alshamie. I came into feminism freshman year of my undergraduate career. Prior to coming to The College of New Jersey, I never understood feminism. I held the negative perception that feminism meant a bunch of radical bra-burning hairy women who want power over men. Through various experience at TCNJ, including working with the Anti-Violence Initiatives for two years and majoring in Women and Gender Studies, I now understand the way women and marginalized groups are viewed and discriminated against by our society and various other societies globally. It is now my goal to serve in various different roles in promote and advocate for global equality among all, regardless of race, class, gender, sex, and sexual orientation. Learning about feminism and adopting a feminist ideal shaped the way I view the world and the future person I aspire to become.
MICHELLE GUARNIZO
My name is Michelle Guarnizo and I came to feminism in high school. Back then feminism to me was just gender equality, but now its definition has expanded. Today, intersectionality is the foundation of my definition of feminism. Feminism has opened my eyes to the injustices that are prevalent in society, and how they influence the health disparities amongst vulnerable populations, which is important as a nurse to understand.
TIFFANY PIATT
My name is Tiffany Piatt and feminism was not a term or movement I was familiar with until college. I was always aware of the inequalities women faced due to the discrimination and lack of safety I felt just due to my gender. Upon being heavily involved in Women in Learning and Leadership (WILL) at TCNJ did I see that I could be involved in the movement of feminism. Through WILL and the education and awareness I gained, I was able to strongly claim myself as a feminist and be a part of so many events geared to ending and raising awareness of the many realms of gender inequality.
ALEX WASERSTEIN
I came to my understanding of feminism because of the injustices that I have faced throughout my life when expressing my identity as a female. I did not consider myself a feminist all my life because I really was not educated about feminism or the feminist movement until entering college at TCNJ and taking some WGS classes. Feminism is hard for me to define because I think it can mean so many different things to different people. Of course it means addressing the needs of equality for all, especially women. Because I am an educator, I value the importance of history and teaching history in the hope of it not repeating itself. Because of this I think I personally define feminism as being aware of these injustices and problems and addressing the need for change and education about past, present, and future issues. I think in the definition of feminism it is important to educate the public about these gender injustices in order to makes changes that reflect what we have learned from the past and will affect the future.
KATHERINE LOOR
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DANIELLE BLACKMORE
I came to feminism the spring of my freshman year when I took my first women's and gender studies class. About halfway through, I began to realize that not only were these issues important- but that they affected me personally as well as other people close to me. For instance, one issue that continues to make me see the importance of feminism is films like 50 Shades of Grey. The movie normalizes dominance and submissiveness in romantic relationships, and reinforces harmful stereotypes and misconceptions people have about men, women, and relationships. It is my hope that in the future, and with the help of feminism, that younger generations will have more realistic representations of men and women as equals rather than as objects and masters.
BRITTANY SAXTON
In high school, I was not exposed to feminism beyond its pejorative connotations . Due to this lack of public and self education, I was quick to denote feminism with adverse radical thoughts. The WILL program has provided me with an educated lens on the gendered world we live in, which has quickly changed my perspective on the need for feminism in quotidian life. Through my four years, my feminist beliefs have instilled in me confidence, self-appreciation, and the desire to impact the world. Through my feminist affiliations, I have created amazing friendships and I have experienced the amazing impact advocating for feminism can have at TCNJ, Washington, D.C. and even Nicaragua! Because of feminism, I have felt inspired to be the best version of myself. To me, this means being an active member of my college campus community as a responsible student leader, and going to Villanova Law next year to pursue my dream of becoming an attorney. I am proud to be associated with a cause that advocates for the importance of the individual and aims to to have a world that is aware of the importance of gender equity, among other important societal issues.
MEAGAN LOO
My name is Meagan Loo and I had always been afraid of the feminist title until college. Unfortunately I once held the stereotypical perspective on feminism and feminists. Within the last four years I changed from not being a self-labeled feminist, to becoming a psychology/WGS double major and a proud feminist. I am now proud to use the f-word: feminism!
TATIANA CAMPOS
My name is Tatiana Campos and I came to feminism in college when I took my first WGS course. After taking my first WGS course I became a WGS major and realized what feminism actually means to me. As a future teacher I think that it's important for my students to realize that they all have a voice and they are all important.
ALYSSA MANGEL
I have been a proud feminist since my senior year of high school. I am passionate about the rights of women and girls throughout the world and look forward to encouraging support and equality in my career as a future teacher and in my work as an activist! My feminism fights for equality for all humanity, and I am is excited to see the day when all women and girls have agency over their own bodies and choices. I challenges YOU to proudly claim YOUR feminism!
ALEXA LOGUSH
My name is Alexa and I came to feminism in high school through my girl scout troop and, as a college freshmen, I became more knowledgeable in my Women's and Gender Studies courses. I am also a part of a group of friends who are outspoken feminists who share some of the same ideals I have for human equality. Being a part of a supportive group of strong women has encouraged me to think more about feminism and how it applies to my daily life.