
Critical Feminist Leadership
#flipthetablefeminism #notyourmamasfeminism @your_feminism
#flipthetablefeminism is a new paradigm for leadership – rooted in critical feminist theories.It prioritizes the following key principles: (1) Authentic relationships, bringing our whole person to work every day; (2) Inclusion: Awareness of, and seeking opportunities for, inclusion—going beyond advocacy for underrepresented and marginalized communities to actively engaging them; (3) Removing barriers to build consensus – creating community in every moment and in every possible way. Building communities in partnership with others, not in isolation where students, teachers, administrators have equal voice in the process of education; and (4) Disrupting oppressive systems of education that give preferential treatment to the wealthy, white middle to upper class members of our society. This includes actively devaluing and contesting hegemonic leadership rooted in white patriarchal supremacy. The most profound moment of the data gathering experience came in a discussion of feminism and what it means to have a seat at the table.
What? A network that supports students, educators and leaders doing the important work of analyzing and applying the leadership principles of critical feminism, i.e. The rejection of past feminist movements that have marginalized and dehumanized women of color, women who are queer, trans or gender non conforming and the advancement of feminism that is dynamic, inclusive and intersectional.
Why flip the table ? Because we want something new, we are #notyourmamasfeminism we are @your_feminsm. We are here to flip the table of patriarchy.
A critical feminist ‘does not ignore cultural discord, they are committed to ‘breaking the silence with action’( Audre Lorde, 1984).
A critical feminist:
1. Recognises the limitations of gender as a social construct.
2. Critiques and challenges the various waves of feminism.
3. Embraces traits that are attributed to folks who identify with marginalised genders.
Critical feminists believe that ALL people should have equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal power. We reject the ideas and societal norms that that people are limited by their gender identity or gender expression. A critical feminist believes that a person does not have to identify as a feminist to be doing feminist work… but it helps.
This is the third year and third cycle of this PAR study and we are seeking a peer reviewed journal to publish our data and findings
What are we working on :
- A book centering the experiences of critical feminists and outlining our research and paradigm
- Presentations of our research at local and national events
- Continued research gathering and connection with women – in particular women of color in leadership roles
- Community events for all those committed to centering the voices of women of color, queer, and differently abled folks