Cultivating

feminism

introduction

I came up with my version of "Cultivating Feminism" about two years ago. I knew I wanted to share my feminist journey with others. I don't have a specific reason, other than I feel like it has been a long journey. One that has not been linear, has been beautiful but is not complete.

Fast forward two years and I have the opportunity to be a part of Rural Catalyst Cohort 58 (whoop whoop!). With that comes the opportunity for an Independent Development Plan. Funding is provided for you to push your growth edge and learn something or do something that will impact a community. I tried to think of any way for it not to be personal. Anyway for me not to be vulnerable. To do good without the feelings. To impact without being seen.

Then I had a Thai yoga session with my friend Alisha. I thought it was amazing, felt way better than any yoga or massage I have had in the passed. I could feel the release of tension and energy flowing. Afterward, she looked me in the eye and said "Jenny, you were blocking me from helping you. You would not accept my energy and I couldn't read yours either." Ouch. Side note: An essential part of Thai Yoga is that the practitioner can feel your energy and move it through pathways to allow your body to heal.

We then had a brief, but meaningful conversation about why, what, and how is it that she could help. The theme….vulnerability. It was then I decided I needed a project that would put me out there, scare me (in a good way), and allow me to let energy move to and from me. So I took this idea I had tucked away and looked at it again.

My project is called Exploring Feminism. It is a way to push me to share my journey with feminism and experience new things to share. All while getting me back to writing, which I enjoy!

This journey is two parts. The first is a spiritual part and the second is a historical part. And this blog is my open journal to my project Exploring Feminism and the start of my sharing my feminist story.

Now there are a few things I ask if you want to follow or come along with.

1. Be kind. I don’t mind if you disagree, correct, debate, etc. But you have to be kind to others and me. As I will promise the same.
   
2. Be open. Some of the things I will touch on didn’t sit with me well at first. Some were rather confusing or maybe I thought irrelevant. Just read and interact with an open mind and curiosity. Take what I say and go research and learn on your own. I promise you will not be disappointed.
   
3. Correct me if I am wrong. This comes in particular when I talk about the intersectionality of feminism with other -isms. If I say something or reference and experiences of individuals from another group and I get it wrong, please tell me. And feel free to correct or fact-check references to history, because I was a science nerd not a history buff in high school and college.
   
4. Finally, grow with me. This is a journey. While I have been on this for a while, I am not done. And you have had your own too. Let's challenge and grow together. We are in this same time and space not by chance, so let's make it better!