Table of Contents

AcknowledgmentsPreface: How I Became a Teenage Activist The F-Word:An Introduction 1. Fight Like a Girl 2. Catch a Wave 3. A Movement for Everyone 4. At the Table 5. Good Enough 6. Knock 'Em Up ...Knock 'Em Down 7. Fighting Back 8... Like a Girl Appendix A:Timeline and Checklist for Action Appendix B: Building an Activist Kit Appendix C: How to Write a Press Release Appendix D: Guidelines to a Good Media InterviewAppendix E:Guidelines to Creating and Earning Effective Media Appendix F: Feminist Shopping Guide Appendix G:Where to Donate Stuff Notes Bibliography Index About the Author

About the Author

Megan Seely is Professor and Chair, Department of Sociology at Sierra College in Rocklin, California. She is a prominent feminist activist and was California NOW’s youngest-ever president, serving from 2001–2005.

Reviews

"An accessible overview of the women's movement, including timelines, suggested reading and numerous ways for young people to get active and make a difference." -Newsday, "Read-worthy How-to Book of the Week"With her guide addressed to a generation of girls who have grown up "denying feminism but embracing its rewards," the youngest woman ever elected president of the California chapter of NOW seeks to make feminism palatable for a generation put off by outmoded images of unshaven legs and burning bras... This is a thorough, thought-provoking introduction." -Publishers Weekly "...Seely dispels the notion that there are secrets to successful organizing by creating a step by step, compelling manual that challenges even the cynical." --Feminist Review "The so-called 'third wave' -- the newest generation involved in the women's movement -- faces an uphill battle in getting people to listen up, partly because of knee-jerk negative reactions to the f-word: 'feminist.' In fact, says Seely, 'I'm not a feminist, but ... ' has become a common qualifier among young people who support the principles of equality but don't want to be associated with words like 'militant' or 'butch.' Seely addresses this stumbling block and many others, including discord within the movement due to racial and generational differences. She provides an accessible overview of the women's movement, including timelines, suggested reading and numerous ways for young people to get active and make a difference." -Newsday (How-To Book of the Week) "A primer on the women's movement that brims with reading and film lists, web resources, and worthy reminders... Textbook-y in the best way... Several appendices give practical advice... It's the perfect gift for the burgeoning activist in your life." --Bitch "A useful antidote to the widespread attitude of the many young women that passivity and resignation are the only rational responses to the enormous cultural, religious, political and media forces arrayed against feminism...This book could be a useful supplement to Women's Studies courses." - Susan B. Hansen, University of Pittsburgh "Megan Seely is a feminist force of nature. Her book is an intelligent, volcanic eruption of facts and analysis on the status of women and girls today. It's a compelling call to take action for equality that made me feel exactly as I did thirty years ago when I first became a feminist. -Helen Grieco, Executive Director, California National Organization for Women "Fight Like a Girl is a much-needed primer and call to action for the next generation of feminist activists. In this regressive cultural climate, it's more important than ever to speak loudly and proudly about the work we're doing and what still needs to be done." -Lisa Jervis, co-founder and publisher of Bitch "An amazing and comprehensive resource... Serving as both an introduction to feminism and a blueprint for what's next for the movement, Fight Like a Girl is simply invaluable." -Bay Windows "Seely, the youngest elected president of California's chapter of the National Organization for Women, combines her own story of third-wave feminism with an overview of the feminist movement and words to guide others. Third-wave feminists are aware of both the victories won by earlier feminists and the problems of class, race, sexual orientation, and internationalism that must still be overcome. This book weaves a deep respect for the foremothers with commonsense discussion of current obstacles and suggestions for direct action, resulting in a work that reminds us of what too many activists forget-every progressive movement has a long history, few organizing tricks are new, and problems must be understood before they can be solved. Seely includes booklists, time lines, web sites, and how-to tips that will help readers over the bridge from her insights to real world activism. For midsize to larger public libraries, academic libraries, and all feminist collections." -Library Journal "Want to know what it means to be a feminist of the third wave? Megan Seely's Fight Like a Girl is the answer; there's enough information here to make you angry and enough resources to make you an effective activist." -Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards, co-authors of Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism and the Future "Always engaging, interesting, and insightful. Fascinating and sure to engage many young women!" -Sherrie A. Inness, editor of Action Chicks "The resources, helpful hints about organizing and working with the press, the short bios of companies and fabulous feminists are great!" --Caryn Aviv, co-editor of American Queer, Then and Now "Fight Like a Girl is packed with both information and inspiration for young women by a young woman who knows her stuff. It's a terrific practical feminist resource book with an optimistic attitude that says in clear language, "You're in charge of your life and here's how to stay that way". --Gloria Feldt, former president, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and author of The War on Choice: The Right-Wing Attack on Women's Rights and How to Fight Back

"An accessible overview of the women's movement, including timelines, suggested reading and numerous ways for young people to get active and make a difference." -Newsday, "Read-worthy How-to Book of the Week"With her guide addressed to a generation of girls who have grown up "denying feminism but embracing its rewards," the youngest woman ever elected president of the California chapter of NOW seeks to make feminism palatable for a generation put off by outmoded images of unshaven legs and burning bras... This is a thorough, thought-provoking introduction." -Publishers Weekly "...Seely dispels the notion that there are secrets to successful organizing by creating a step by step, compelling manual that challenges even the cynical." --Feminist Review "The so-called 'third wave' -- the newest generation involved in the women's movement -- faces an uphill battle in getting people to listen up, partly because of knee-jerk negative reactions to the f-word: 'feminist.' In fact, says Seely, 'I'm not a feminist, but ... ' has become a common qualifier among young people who support the principles of equality but don't want to be associated with words like 'militant' or 'butch.' Seely addresses this stumbling block and many others, including discord within the movement due to racial and generational differences. She provides an accessible overview of the women's movement, including timelines, suggested reading and numerous ways for young people to get active and make a difference." -Newsday (How-To Book of the Week) "A primer on the women's movement that brims with reading and film lists, web resources, and worthy reminders... Textbook-y in the best way... Several appendices give practical advice... It's the perfect gift for the burgeoning activist in your life." --Bitch "A useful antidote to the widespread attitude of the many young women that passivity and resignation are the only rational responses to the enormous cultural, religious, political and media forces arrayed against feminism...This book could be a useful supplement to Women's Studies courses." - Susan B. Hansen, University of Pittsburgh "Megan Seely is a feminist force of nature. Her book is an intelligent, volcanic eruption of facts and analysis on the status of women and girls today. It's a compelling call to take action for equality that made me feel exactly as I did thirty years ago when I first became a feminist. -Helen Grieco, Executive Director, California National Organization for Women "Fight Like a Girl is a much-needed primer and call to action for the next generation of feminist activists. In this regressive cultural climate, it's more important than ever to speak loudly and proudly about the work we're doing and what still needs to be done." -Lisa Jervis, co-founder and publisher of Bitch "An amazing and comprehensive resource... Serving as both an introduction to feminism and a blueprint for what's next for the movement, Fight Like a Girl is simply invaluable." -Bay Windows "Seely, the youngest elected president of California's chapter of the National Organization for Women, combines her own story of third-wave feminism with an overview of the feminist movement and words to guide others. Third-wave feminists are aware of both the victories won by earlier feminists and the problems of class, race, sexual orientation, and internationalism that must still be overcome. This book weaves a deep respect for the foremothers with commonsense discussion of current obstacles and suggestions for direct action, resulting in a work that reminds us of what too many activists forget-every progressive movement has a long history, few organizing tricks are new, and problems must be understood before they can be solved. Seely includes booklists, time lines, web sites, and how-to tips that will help readers over the bridge from her insights to real world activism. For midsize to larger public libraries, academic libraries, and all feminist collections." -Library Journal "Want to know what it means to be a feminist of the third wave? Megan Seely's Fight Like a Girl is the answer; there's enough information here to make you angry and enough resources to make you an effective activist." -Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards, co-authors of Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism and the Future "Always engaging, interesting, and insightful. Fascinating and sure to engage many young women!" -Sherrie A. Inness, editor of Action Chicks "The resources, helpful hints about organizing and working with the press, the short bios of companies and fabulous feminists are great!" --Caryn Aviv, co-editor of American Queer, Then and Now "Fight Like a Girl is packed with both information and inspiration for young women by a young woman who knows her stuff. It's a terrific practical feminist resource book with an optimistic attitude that says in clear language, "You're in charge of your life and here's how to stay that way". --Gloria Feldt, former president, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and author of The War on Choice: The Right-Wing Attack on Women's Rights and How to Fight Back

With her guide addressed to a generation of girls who have grown up "denying feminism but embracing its rewards," the youngest woman ever elected president of the California chapter of NOW seeks to make feminism palatable for a generation put off by outmoded images of unshaven legs and burning bras. Echoing Robin Morgan's phrase "sisterhood is global," Seely takes a holistic approach, touching on everything from the exploitation of sweatshop workers (90% of whom are women) and the importance of easing racial tensions within the feminist community to her own struggle against bulimia-she presents herself as living proof of the depth and prevalence of body hatred among women-along with more familiar subjects like Title IX and the politics of abortion. Each chapter in this beginner's guide is punctuated by boxes containing definitions of terms (patriarchy, glass ceiling), brief descriptions of relevant court cases and suggestions for further reading. Seely also includes examples of grassroots activism and ways of getting involved in the movement. Eschewing the exclamation points of today's "Girl Power" in favor of question marks, this is a thorough, thought-provoking introduction, but more informative than inspiring. (Jan.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.