Written by Online therapist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

ARE YOU A FEMINIST?

Reflecting on Identity, Purpose, and the Power of Women’s Voices

Feminism means different things to different people, but at its core, it’s about equality, dignity, and purpose. For individuals in Maryland and DC, exploring what feminism means personally and historically can be a powerful step toward self-awareness and social connection. This post reflects on one woman’s journey from confusion to clarity, and the enduring impact of feminist voices like Robin Morgan.

When I was a little girl, my sister remarked that I was going to grow up to be a feminist. At the time, I had no idea what that word meant. I felt like the little girl coming back into the second-grade class after being out for weeks with appendicitis and surgery to find this new word on the blackboard: EUROPE. My second-grade brain immediately decide that it was pronounced: EEEE U ROPE. As I proceeded to show off my expertise, the class bubbled with laughter. My sister’s prediction about feminism was equally foreign to me.

My formative years covered the Vietnam Era when flags were burning, and bras were burning in the same flames. In 1968, the year I started my Ph.D. work, the Miss America pageant was disrupted by a group of feminists protesting the sexualization of women. Led by Robin Morgan, these women came together to protest the sexist programming that had influenced them growing up. The pageant symbolized sexism and racism as there had never been a Black contestant and women were chosen for their looks and hourglass shape, ignoring their intellect and emotional strength.

Robin Morgan has been active in the Women’s Movement ever since that Miss America protest and is a published author, still working and advocating for women’s issues. She is a FEMINIST! You might want to check out her podcast: Women’s Media Center Live with Robin Morgan.

How many of us have had a passion like Robin? How often do we find someone who has pursued that passion for decades from protest, to publishing to presenting? We all need a purpose. We all need that thing that brings us to alert in the morning, sometimes keeps us up late into the night, and gives our lives meaning. This does not have to be a national movement. It can be as simple as caring for those around us or being enthusiastic about our garden. It can be as complex as wrestling with the meaning of feminism and how to relate to that. The need is there in all of us. What is yours?

I hope you will share this post with friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to invite them to sign up for their own copy at www.drvanderhorst.com.

If you’re exploring your identity, values, or purpose, therapy can offer a space for reflection and growth. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support self-discovery and empowerment.