2019 - My 'Feministitch' Bag Project

Virginia Woolf (1882 – 1941)

Writer, Publisher, Visionary.

One of the first writers, who created a literature for women in a feminist sense. Her brilliant mind went beyond conventions and the distinctions between the genders.

“I would venture to guess that Anon, who wrote so many poems without signing them, was often a woman.”

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 – 1962)

First Lady, Diplomat, Freethinker

Referred to as the “First Lady of the World” in tribute to her work on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Roosevelt had known sadness in her youth and disappointment in her married life. She found a personal fulfilment in funding a public life of her own, and was not afraid to disagree with some of her husband’s policies.

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.”

Simone de Beauvoir (1908 – 1986)

Philosopher, Author, Thinker

An intellectual, who had a significant influence on feminist theory presented in her 1949 treatise ‘The Second Sex’. De Beauvoir showed women that they did not have to look or act a certain way, because it was expected. They could assert themselves against a patriarchy that tried to keep them powerless.

“To lose confidence in one’s body is to lose confidence in oneself.”

Marie Curie (1867 – 1934)

Scientist, Nobel Prize Winner, Innovator.

The first woman to win a Nobel Prize, whose work revolutionized science. Curie believed scientific research was a public good. She championed x-rays and radiation treatment of diseased cells.

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”

Billie Jean King (1943 - )

Athlete, Equal Rights Advocate, Champion.

An American former World No.1 professional tennis player and advocate for gender equality. King was one of the first well known openly gay athletes, coming out in 1981. She founded the Women’s Tennis Association and the Women’s Sports Foundation.

“Don’t let anyone define you. You define yourself.”

Malala Yousafzai (1997 - )

Nobel Prize Writer, Advocate, Inspiration.

A Pakistani activist for female education, and the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. Following her miraculous recovery from being shot in the head, neck and shoulder, Malala became a prominent activist for the right to education. She set up the Malala Fund to raise money to open schools and empower girls to speak up and demand change.

“The extremists are afraid of books and pens, the power of education frightens them. They are afraid of women.”

Gloria Steinem (1934 - )

Journalist, Feminist, Rebel

Gloria Steinem is recognised as a leader and a spokeswoman for the American feminist movement of the 1960s and’70s. She co-founded the Ms magazine and actively campaigned for the Equal Rights Amendment. Steinem’s childhood exposed her to her mother’s devastating psychiatric breakdown, from which she was never to fully recover. Much of this experience shaped Steinem’s future understandings of social injustice.

“A feminist is anyone who recognises the equality and full humanity of women and men.”