Amplifying Our Voices: Feminist Scholars Writing for the Public

Carrie N. Baker, Smith College
Aviva Dove-Viebahn
Michele Tracy Berger
Carmen Rios
Karon Jolna

Abstract

The current moment is a critical time for feminist scholars to engage in the public sphere. Feminist scholars can play a vital role in bringing to light marginalized perspectives and an interdisciplinary, intersectional analysis of current events. This essay focuses on public engagement through writing for the popular press. As feminist scholars, writers, and editors, we employ our work with Ms. magazine as a case study in order to discuss the challenges and rewards of writing for the public. We argue that developing and amplifying one's public voice through writing for the popular press is an important form of activism for feminist scholars.