Re-Claiming the F-Word: Feminism in the History Classroom Ms. Krystle Merchant Mr. Jared Peet The Madeira School Ms. Krystle Merchant Mr. Jared Peet The Madeira School

Framing the Issue / We believe that graduates of all-girls schools can and should self-identify as feminists.  Feminism: the advocacy of women ’ s social, political, and economic equality / We believe that graduates of all-girls schools can and should self-identify as feminists.  Feminism: the advocacy of women ’ s social, political, and economic equality

Our Goal / To use the history classroom as a vehicle for fostering reflection on the meaning and application of feminism.  “ Education FOR women ” - Jo Ellen Parker, President of Sweet Briar College / To use the history classroom as a vehicle for fostering reflection on the meaning and application of feminism.  “ Education FOR women ” - Jo Ellen Parker, President of Sweet Briar College

A School of Feminists? / 58% of Madeira girls consider themselves feminists / 63% think, in general, women are equal to men / 82% think Madeira provides a feminist education / 58% of Madeira girls consider themselves feminists / 63% think, in general, women are equal to men / 82% think Madeira provides a feminist education

Not so fast... / Only 30% could offer an accurate definition of “feminism.”

Is this Feminism? / The feeling of preference towards women.  The over exaggerated support of women ’ s rights, and in some cases, the suppression of anyone else ’ s rights. / A state of mind in which the female is idolized and becomes greater than the male according to the viewer. / When women believe in the power of themselves and other females, and that women can accomplish and succeed more than men. / The radical support of women's rights in the means of a higher pay and equal opportunities for women over men. / The feeling of preference towards women.  The over exaggerated support of women ’ s rights, and in some cases, the suppression of anyone else ’ s rights. / A state of mind in which the female is idolized and becomes greater than the male according to the viewer. / When women believe in the power of themselves and other females, and that women can accomplish and succeed more than men. / The radical support of women's rights in the means of a higher pay and equal opportunities for women over men.

Placing Women in History / Gerda Lerner, 1979 / “Compensatory” history / “Contribution” history / Reconstructing familiar generalizations / Gerda Lerner, 1979 / “Compensatory” history / “Contribution” history / Reconstructing familiar generalizations

From Girl Power to Feminism / Role of the teacher / Introduce women’s voices into the History curriculum / Challenge girls to think of themselves as members of a gendered community / Discuss the impact of a lack of equality for women / Role of the teacher / Introduce women’s voices into the History curriculum / Challenge girls to think of themselves as members of a gendered community / Discuss the impact of a lack of equality for women

Global Feminism Project / Objectives: / Identify the major challenges, goals and actions of feminist groups around the globe / Analyze how these challenges and goals compare with those of feminists in the U.S. and Western Europe. / Objectives: / Identify the major challenges, goals and actions of feminist groups around the globe / Analyze how these challenges and goals compare with those of feminists in the U.S. and Western Europe.

Contact Information / Krystle Merchant / / Jared Peet / / Krystle Merchant / / Jared Peet /