We’re three!

Today is our third birthday and we are thrilled at how far we’ve come since Feminist Current launched on July 1, 2012. In a few days we’ll be launching our redesigned site! IT WILL BE SO FANCY YOU GUYS.

So, what’s happened in three years…

Well, our readership has grown in leaps and bounds. That first month we got 12,600 hits — now we’re averaging between 150,000-200,000 hits a month! Not bad for an independent feminist website, running on fumes (plus passion, dedication, and the generosity of feminists and allies, of course).

In December, Susan Cox initiated What’s Current, which not only summarizes news stories about feminism, sexism, and violence against women, but highlights the work of feminist writers from around the world — all in a convenient, radicalized, witty package, delivered daily to your internet. We are so thrilled at this addition to the site. Susan has also contributed reviews of Mad Max and House of Cards, critiqued #HowToSpotAFeminist, helpfully explained why kids and marriage benefit men far more than women, Valentine’s Day “lingerie,” and so much more. Thanks Susan!

On March 30th, Jess Martin became Feminist Current’s first intern and has produced some invaluable content over the past few months. Her genius-idea, Feminist Theory Fridays, runs every other Friday — so far Jess has helped us wade through the work of Sally Haslanger, Susan Bordo, Mari Matsuda, and Catharine MacKinnon, an immense gift, in my opinion, because this kind of stuff isn’t always the most accessible. Jess manages to make complex theory interesting and easy-to-understand. She also reported on the CBC’s investigation into the Jian Ghomeshi affair, the cross-Canada protests for justice for Cindy Gladue, created a bingo card for those times you happen to be losing an argument with a feminist, criticized the idea that it’s ok for disabled men to buy sex, and more! I’m so looking forward to more from Jess here at Feminist Current!

We’ve also featured work from SO MANY other amazing women (and a few men) from all around the world this year, including Cherry Smiley, C.K. Egbert, Michael Laxer, Gail Dines, Kathleen Barry, Leah Harwood, Jemma Nicoll, Alexandra Pelletier, Ernesto Aguilar, Jessica Megarry, Jonah Mix, Meagan Tyler, Lori Day, Laura McNally, Samantha Berg, Michael Stewart, Kate McInturff, Charlene Sayo, Julie Bindel, Paula Graham, Melinda Tankard Reist, Natalie Jovanovski, Emily Monaghan, Glosswitch, Deidre Skye, John Stoltenberg, and Sarah Ditum.

I cannot possibly express how grateful I am for all these contributions. I’m thrilled to know this many brilliant feminist writers.

What else, what else…. OH RIGHT. A bunch of anti-feminist a-holes tried to get me fired and no-platformed for having opinions they don’t like. Alas, all they succeeded in doing was strengthening our movement and making themselves look like a bunch of spineless bullies, who, incapable of forming convincing arguments, resort to silencing women. Ah well, at least we know who you all are now.

This work is an ongoing struggle, but it’s also a gift. I am ever-grateful for the support Feminist Current has received from women and men everywhere who believe in this movement and who believe women deserve a better world.

Onwards, sister soldiers! Together, we are stronger. Solidarity forever.

Meghan Murphy

Founder & Editor

Meghan Murphy is a freelance writer and journalist from Vancouver, BC. She has been podcasting and writing about feminism since 2010 and has published work in numerous national and international publications, including The Spectator, UnHerd, Quillette, the CBC, New Statesman, Vice, Al Jazeera, The Globe and Mail, and more. Meghan completed a Masters degree in the department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at Simon Fraser University in 2012 and is now exiled in Mexico with her very photogenic dog.