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29th Sep 2015
Fans of Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner (the brains behind HBO’s hit show Girls) will likely have signed up to Lenny by now. For those that haven’t, it’s a free, ezine based content platform, and we’re already loving it. Introduced by both Lena and Jenni (combining for Lenny), they describe it as “a space where new voices were safe to speak loudly about issues they care about. We want those voices to inspire you, envelop you, and even anger you. Mostly, we want a snark-free place for feminists to get information: on how to vote, eat, dress, f*ck, and live better.”
First up for Lenny is an incredibly engaging insight into one of the most interesting women on the planet: Hilary Rodham Clinton. We won’t spoil the full interview for you – it deserves to be read with a cup of coffee when you’re not rushing off to your next meeting – but we couldn’t help but draw your attention to Hilary’s definition of feminism. Feminism, as Lenny explain, can mean many different things to many different people but for Hilary, it’s a simple matter of equal rights. Try this on for size:
I think the question on every Lenny reader’s lips is: Do you consider yourself a feminist?
Yes. Absolutely. I’m always a little bit puzzled when any woman, of whatever age but particularly a young woman, says something like, ?Well, I believe in equal rights, but I’m not a feminist.? Well, a feminist is by definition someone who believes in equal rights! I’m hoping that people will not be afraid to say – that doesn’t mean you hate men. It doesn’t mean that you want to separate out the world so that you’re not part of ordinary life. That’s not what it means at all! It just means that we believe women have the same rights as men, politically, culturally, socially, economically. That’s what it means. And if you don’t believe that about yourself as a woman, please, go ask yourself: Why? What is holding you back? And it’s not going to be good for you as a woman to be denying the fact that you are entitled to equal rights. And so, yes, I’m a feminist, and I say it whenever I’m asked.”
If you’re interested in reading more, and you’re particularly liberal-minded, head to lennyletter.com and sign up. We’re hooked.?
A photo posted by Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) on