Well Wishes From the Seniors

We wanted to take a moment in this issue to talk to the seniors of What The F. It’s been a crazy four years, but What The F has kept pushing through it all. In the next two pages you’ll learn all about our wishes for you, our readers, and for the world, who we think belongs on a coin, and so much more. We hope you enjoy our little moment of reflection!

Best wishes,

The Seniors

B.S in Economics Minors in Mathematics, Art & Design Graduating: Fall 2022

Sociology; Creative Writing & Literature Minors in Asian Languages & Cultures Graduating: Winter 2022

Psychology & Women’s and Gender Studies Graduating: Fall 2022

Creative Writing & Literature Minor in Spanish Graduating: Winter 2022

Communications and Media Minor in Creative Writing Graduating: Winter 2022

Earth and Environmental Science Minors in Writing and German Graduating: Winter 2022

Chemistry Minor in Gender and Health Graduating: Fall 2021

Hayleigh:

For someone to be featured on a coin in my opinion, they must have done something that made the world better. RBG fought her entire career to right multiple injustices and was a lifelong advocate for women’s rights and for women in leadership positions. One of my favorite quotes by her is “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”

Elizabeth:

that word, but she is. She is an immigrant from the Philippines who grew up relatively poor, but she earned scholarships to pay for tuition at private schools, ultimately working her way towards a PhD. She’s lived a pretty adventurous life, with experiences like working as an English instructor in refugee camps and working as a language teacher for U.S. Peace Corps volunteers assigned to the Philippines. Long before me, she protested the military dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos and taught people how to protect their ballots during his corrupt and repressive regime. Oh, and did I mention how she beat cancer? Or how she is a senior research scientist? There is too much to say and too little space, but my mom is simply the smartest, kindest, most amazing person I know.

Ariana:

Audre Lorde is a self-described “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet” and a leader in intersectional feminism! She is one of the most renowned intersectional feminist leaders of the 20th century, and her writing truly dives in and interrogates social injustices across race, ability, class and sexual orientation. Her most notable works include “Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches”, “Zami: A New Spelling Of My Name”, and “The Cancer Journals”. Her contributions to feminist theory and social justice more generally would be spread further if she was

Hanna:

To remind us that intersectional feminism must include environmental justice and vice versa. These are not mutually exclusive movements—they are necessary to sustain each other and to collectively enact changes on a structural level.

Cielle:

In the ‘60s and ‘70s, she was one of the most outspoken feminists in the US, along with her partners such as Dorothy Pitman Hughes. She fought in support of making birth control widely accessible and against the “traditional” marriage ideal. She was also one of the founders of Ms. Magazine, a publication that aimed to teach women how to live feminist lifestyles (sound familiar?). And actually, I heard her speak at the original Women’s March in D.C. in 2017. Admittedly, I don’t remember what she said, but I was in awe to see a prominent figure from my history textbook standing in front of me, still leading the fight at age 82. As a writer and someone who needs birth control to function, I owe a lot to those who came before me (and are still here!) who paved the way for me to live and work as I do.

Phoebe:

Growing up in a big family, I was shy (still am sometimes!), but my godmother Lindsey always encouraged me to stop holding back, and she always left a wave of perfect chaos in her wake. After switching degrees and career paths to pursue art and design, Lindsey started her own successful graphic design firm. She became a mentor for me as I wanted to learn about graphic design, and she showed me the ropes by taking me on as an intern. I wasn’t confident and felt under-qualified, but her mentorship reminded me not to let imposter syndrome sit in the way of gaining new experiences or developing new skill sets. This February, Lindsey passed away after a difficult battle with adrenal cancer, and she deserves to be on a coin as a constant reminder to be silly on your own terms, and to lean into your interests despite self-doubt.

Livvy:

Rachel Carson was an environmental scientist and author who changed the world through her book, Silent Spring. She exposed the environmental impact of fertilizers and pesticides, which resulted in a nationwide ban on DDT and other manmade chemicals. Her grassroots environmentalism and powerful activism through writing is what inspired me to choose the environmental field, and continues to inspire my activism for both the planet and human rights.

Kendall:

Toni Morrison was an incredible author and orator who spent her life writing about the experience of being a Black woman in America. Since she wrote so much about American history I think it would be especially fitting for her likeness to be put on a coin, as currency is such a recognizable symbol for a nation. While she didn’t publicly identify as a feminist her work has long been considered revolutionary, which is why preserving her memory for future generations should be important to all of us. I first read one of her novels, Beloved, in a high school English class, and it was certainly the only reading-as-homework book I have ever enjoyed and appreciated so thoroughly.

Hayleigh: I wish for an end to all forms of bigotry and hatred (maybe a tad too ambitious but a girl can dream, right ?)

Elizabeth: I wish for good health, happiness, and good fortune for myself and for my loved ones. They deserve the world. <3

Ariana: My wish is that our readers and our wider feminist community can continue to find a safe space in What The F for years to come!

Hanna: For us all to show ourselves and each other grace, because these are hard times <3

Cielle: Did you know that the first anatomically complete model of the vulva was made in 1995? People have written and speculated about the clitoris for millennia, but we’ve known for less than 30 years that it’s about four inches long and shaped like a wishbone. I wish that bodily structures weren’t considered shameful but normal and natural. We deserve to know how our fleshmobiles operate! How can we expect to make any real progress if we don’t even understand our own bodies? “Vagina” is a funny word but never a dirty word.

Phoebe: My wish is that our readers stay curious, never settle for less than what they deserve, and find peace with who they are. Livvy: I wish that regardless of the inevitable impacts of the climate crisis, I can continue to find peace and stability and love in nature for the rest of my life. I wish the same for others. I also wish that those in power recognize the importance of the environment and take the progressive measures needed to protect it <3

Kendall: I think the last time I wished via well was when I played the Webkinz minigame as a kid, so I’ve got a lot of time to make up for! While there are a million and one important things I could wish for, at this moment I’d wish that my dog’s hurt leg heals well. As she gets older it’s harder and harder for her to play so much frisbee!

Ariana: It has been an honor and a joy to serve as a leader in this organization this year! I am so excited to see what you all accomplish when we’re gone! You have all of my love WTF! <3

Phoebe: I’m moving to New York City in July!

Livvy: I want to shout out The Dot Org for their incredible accomplishments with advancing menstrual product accessibility in Ann Arbor. After four years of fighting for free access to period products, especially on campus, we finally can say we did it. And now we can replicate our activism elsewhere!

Kendall: Hi to my lovely WTF family! I’m looking forward to starting grad school in the fall, although I’ll miss you all! Make sure to give your layout staff friends some love today <3