Edited by Ella Smith & Leea Biederman
The Future Is... Creators: Leea Biederman & Ella Smith Everyone involved: Jada Steward Ellie Kuchera Chloe Myhre Dieu Do Emma Harrington Katy Boese Kiira Christopherson Diana Nguyen Elie Mytty Austin Malberg Sabrina Merritt Jen England Thank you to Jen England, Kelly Leddy, and the WRC staff for all of the support and encouragement.
Ella Smith Editor
Leea Biederman Creator, Writer
Index Women’s Resource Center Information About Us Support Becoming Involved
Feminism and Misconceptions WRC Stickers by Ella Smith
Hamline Voices on Self-Inspiration Jada Steward Ellie Kuchera Chloe Myhre Dieu Do Emma Harrington Katy Boese Kiira Christopherson Diana Nguyen Collage by Jen England “Sanctuary” by Ella Smith Zines: Feminism and History by Leea Biederman “Elixir” by Ella Smith Art Gallery featured artists: Elie Mytty Austin Malberg Sabrina Merritt Emma Harrington Ellie Kuchera
Anderson Center, Room 320 Email: wrc@hamline.edu Daytime Phone: 651-523-2042 Website: www.hamline.edu/womens-resource-center/ Find us on Facebook and Instagram under @huwomensresourcecenter
Address: Women’s Resource Center Anderson Center 320 1536 Hewitt Ave MS-1808 St. Paul, MN 55104
If you need immediate assistance, please contact Hamline Public Safety at 651-523-2100 and/or Counseling and Health Services at 651-523-2204
About Us The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) provides a safe, inclusive, and supportive space open to all members of the Hamline community to work toward a more socially just and equitable world for women by: Promoting the equitable treatment and advancement of women on campus, in the community, and in the workplace Facilitating exploration of feminist issues from intentionally intersectional perspectives Providing resources and access to resources that improve the holistic health, safety, and well-being of women and their allies Fostering a safe, collaborative community to develop feminist values and leadership skills Everything we do in the WRC is grounded in five core values: Holistic Health Intersectional Education Commitment to Community Ethical Advocacy Feminist Leadership
If you need immediate assistance, please contact Hamline Public Safety at 651-523-2100 and/or Counseling and Health Services at 651-523-2204
Support The WRC supports the Hamline community in a variety of ways. We invite students, faculty and staff to hang out, discuss women’s issues, and access resources. Services: judgement-free answers to questions about feminist issues support and advocacy feminist leadership development supplies menstrual products sexual health products pregnancy tests educational materials brochures and pamphlets books and zines information on local community organizations programming campus-wide events issue-driven workshops readings and discussions
If you need immediate assistance, please contact Hamline Public Safety at 651-523-2100 and/or Counseling and Health Services at 651-523-2204
Become Involved Want to get involved? Email us at wrc@hamline.edu for more information. Opportunities may include: volunteering interning, including LEAP credit work study class projects
Contact Jen England (and Penny) for more information! wrc@hamline.edu If you need immediate assistance, please contact Hamline Public Safety at 651-523-2100 and/or Counseling and Health Services at 651-523-2204
Feminism
Misconceptions
WRC Stickers Designed by Ella Smith
Email the WRC at wrc@hamline.edu if you want a sticker!
Hamline Voices on Self-Inspiration
Jada Steward she/her/hers “Come celebrate with me that every day something has tried to kill me and has failed.” -Lucille Clifton
Ellie Kuchera she/her/hers
“I am inspired by those around me. My family, friends, and even strangers are always showing me that there is, and can be good in the world. I am inspired by those before us that were strong enough to use their voices to initiate change. I find that through these and other things, I can also inspire myself.”
Chloe Mhyre she/her/hers
“Even when we can’t control the situation around us, we can always choose where we’re directing our attention.” -Liz Stanley
Dieu Do she/her/hers “There is a Vietnamese proverb that reads, “Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây,” which means, “When eating a fruit, remember the person who planted the tree.” This proverb implies that no matter where you go in life to never forget those who have made sacrifices for you to be where you are today. I would not be the woman I am today without those who have empowered me, supported me, and, most importantly, believed in me when I did not. There are so many people to thank, but I am especially grateful for my parents who risked their lives to immigrate to the U.S. with empty hands, but hearts full of ambition to create a better life for my sister and I. They are the physical embodiment of strength, resilience, and hope. Ba and Ma, I love you with my whole heart and thank you for inspiring me everyday to continue fighting for womxn around the world to achieve their dreams just like how you did for me.
Emma Harrington she/her/hers
“I find the most joy in noticing the small moments of the world around us, especially the natural world. After all, do we truly have something if we are not grateful for it? In my writing and in my life, I really hope to connect with people and emphasize the strength and grace of humanity – with compassion, kindness, and love.”
Katy Boese she/her/hers
“I’m inspired by other people and the amazing things they do, other women and LGBT+ folks specifically. Helping people also empowers me. I love educating people and helping them become better or learn more about themselves. In this age of social media, it can be hard to get inspired and even harder to value yourself if you don’t fit a terrifyingly specific standard. To that, I just want to say: you don’t owe anyone a follow anywhere. Even if they’re the star of your favorite show or a celebrity you really like, if following them makes you fell bad, unfollow! I’m giving you permission. Follow people who make you happy. Follow fat women, and trans people, and gay couples. Follow inclusive artists and smart activists and politicians who value the same things you do. Curate your social media experience so it makes you feel good. Surround yourself with people who inspire you!
Kiira Chirstopherson they/them/theirs “I am inspired by all those around me. Being a non-binary human, I allow myself the space to do whatever I want with myself. Seeing others love and appreciate themselves in areas like fashion, interests, and their actions, inspires me further to keep my mind open. They inspire me to move past my comfort zone and try something new.”
Diana Nguyen she/her/hers
“What empowers me is the women in my family. Each one has their own unique story, but they all share the same resilient and strong-willed quality. Being raised surrounded by women who don’t quit and are proud of their own vietnamese women identities, has been instilled in me. It is from them that I can move fearlessly, and for that, I am forever grateful.”
“Sanctuary” by Ella Smith
Zines: Feminism and History By: Leea Biederman
An Overview Zines, the name coming from “fanzines” typically come in the form “do it yourself,” or DIY. This can be collaging with different images, art, and messages, but can also include visual art such as drawing or painting to create a mixed media art piece for the zine. Digitized art and images, and full electronic zines (e-zines) have come into the picture of zine-making as well, and graphic design and visuals can be a staple aspect. Zines however, take the form of what the author/s want to convey. This may come in the form of collages as mentioned above, or could come in the form of full articles, poems, newsletter, and many other possible formats. Self Publication Self publication and creation is an important process in zine-making. Creation being done individually, or with a small group of people, provides users to channel what their art is intended to express in an authentic, DIY form. Oftentimes, it is referred to as underground because it has specific audiences, and is usually only circulated in small amounts. Sources suggest that this form of self publication and zine-making could go as far back as the 16th century when the printing press first started circulating and when the Protestant Reformation began, guiding us with an assumption that zines were initiated in a political movement.
From Fiction To Feminism Because the first concepts of a zine arguably came into history during the Protestant Reformation, zines continue to hold this internal and external theme of activism and voice. The concepts and messages of zines are not meant to be limiting, and it is an opportunity for an author or a small group of people to gather and create with fluidity and passion. In the 1930’s, zines in the collage/comic genre were circulating in science fiction. This included more networking and collaborative movements for fans.
Presence, a collaborative poetry magazine with various contributors from the Beat generation.
During the 70’s and 80’s, political themes and messages began to emerge more and more that enevitably kickstarted zines within feminist movements. It first
however, began to make waves within the punk music scene, therefore bringing DIY to style, music, and aesthetic. The Riot Grrrl movement provides us with a strong feminist threshold. It was started around the 1990’s in and within the Pacific Northwest, and later spread internationally. The movement highlights numerous topics and genres including: sexuality, abuse, patriarchy, and empowerment. This additionally includes music, DIY, and of course, zines! As stated within a “Brief History of Zines”, Laura Van Leuven states, “. . .the riot grrrl movement grew out of the punk subculture and developed a zine culture of its own, focusing on feminism, sex, and chaos.” Van Leuven quotes from The Sallie Bingham collection at Duke University’s Rubenstein Library: “In the 1990s, with the combination of the riot grrrl movement’s reaction against sexism in punk culture, the rise of third wave feminism and girl culture, and an increased interest in the do-it-yourself lifestyle, the women’s and grrrls’ zine culture began to thrive. Feminist practice emphasizes the sharing of personal experience as a community-building tool, and zines proved to be the perfect medium for reaching out to young women across the country in order to form the ‘revolution, girl style.’”
In The End Zines do more than just offer a pleasing yet abstract art piece to look at, or a few articles to read. Though these are aspects of a zine, the message zines uphold is a strong stance to readers and viewers on topics such as pop culture, sexuality, identity, current events, empowerment, inclusivity, awareness, style, activism, and political movements. Zines are for everyone! Here is a QR code that will link you to a website that highlights the Riot Grrrl Movement with an archived zine as well as several links to outside sources to view zines– and much more!
Scan this QR code below, and sign into your Hamline Gmail for additional zine reading.
“Elixir” by Ella Smith
Art Gallery Elie Mytty she/her/hers
Elie is a third year at Hamline studying Elementary Education and English.
Austin Malberg she/her/hers
Austin is a first year at Hamline studying Creative Writing and Psychology.
Sabrina Merritt she/her/hers
Sabrina Merritt is currently a junior studying for an English degree with a concentration in professional writing and rhetoric and a minor in communications studies. Along with being an Associated Collegiate Press award-winning photographer, her work has appeared in multiple student publications including Untold and the Oracle. Feminism is at the core of all of her work. Her highest passions are tabletop role-playing and learning how to be an environmentally-friendly consumer.
Emma Harrington
Emma is finishing up her sophomore year at Hamline studying English, Creative Writing, Nonprofit Management, and Gender and Women’s Studies.
she/her/hers
Still Life with Anemones
for Mothers
I struggle carving a mother from a wife & I’ve swallowed dull years of sacrificing my instrument until I am endless circles. Yes, I do find my heart weeping for my child’s bruises & sunlit laughter but I do not find myself. I drink messages from all past mothers, & even women without babies. We marvel at how we all cry in the shower & on the kitchen floor, in the hardware store through our teeth. & yet we all keep hiding in these moments of drowning, keep convincing ourselves we must somehow balance the creation of survival & our own apetite for beauty on a single soft pointer finger. As if we were each a piece of god.
Lesson I saw your mother today. She was walking down the road that circles town like a rib bone, the white bird of her ponytail beating its wings again & again against her back. We are all trying to free ourselves of something. I wanted to stand in front of her, make her watch the prairie around us rise up in the reflection of my weeping eyes. I wanted to ask her why she never taught you how to not break girls. Why didn’t she show you all the gentleness my skin should be? That even if I love you, the pink tunnels of my body are not your bowls to lick clean? I am not pears sitting by the window above the kitchen sink. I will not rot if I am not devoured in one night. Why didn’t she teach you that my mouth’s absence of yes turns your hands into a violence of all their own? You cannot dredge my body with buckets until you come up with what you desire. I know that invisibility was delicious to you. More delicious than my body’s own quiet apetite? Your mother circled the corner like a closing hymn. No, I do not blame her. But I have learned now. When my children bloom open I will teach them bedroom tenderness.
Ellie Kuchera she/her/hers
Ellie is a third year at Hamline studying Chemistry and Forensic Science.