Five Fascinating Latinas for Women’s History Month

The Latinas we see on TV and in film too often are relegated to being maids or sexy, voluptuous women. But we are so much more. This Women’s History Month, I want to celebrate just a few of the powerful and inspirational Latinas who defied stereotypes, greatly contributed to history and personally inspired me. Frida [...]

Gendering Poetry for the Next Generation

Valentine’s. Whether you spend the corporate holiday canoodling with your significant other or ranting on Twitter about how you don’t need a holiday to tell you how to love, odds are pretty good that you’ll run across some poetry along the way. Now, poetry can range anywhere from Emily Dickinson to a Hallmark greeting to [...]

A (Very Incomplete) Feminist Poetry Syllabus for 2011

Recently, I have been hearkening back to my literary year–1988. That was in college when I had a feminist poetry class, and also the last time I read such material in depth. Not that it was a chore back then. I was intrigued by the irreverent, political, intellectually fierce and nakedly honest material, which grabbed me [...]

Boobies, Birthers and WikiSexism: Editors’ Picks 8/29-9/3

Just in time for the long weekend, Ms. brings you the must-reads you might have missed this week–from a Pocahontas-poetry mash-up, to gender inequality on Wikipedia, to live reporting from Glenn Beck’s Restoring Honor Rally. Happy reading, and enjoy the holiday! The Wall Street Journal talked to Sylvia Ann Hewlett, founding president and chairman of [...]

Joy Harjo’s Trail of Tears

As the most well-known Native (Mvskoke-Creek) woman poet of her generation, and the 2009 Nammy winner for best female artist, Joy Harjo has been offering us her words and music for three decades now. In her late 50s, she is still at the height of her creative powers, still one of only a handful of Native musicians [...]

Wanda Coleman On the Healing Power of Women’s Writing

Feminaissance, a new anthology of women’s experimental essays, poetry and fiction, includes the work of renowned Los Angeles African American poet Wanda Coleman.  I had a chance to speak with her recently about her writing and her feminism. MONTEI: What role do you think women’s writing has played in the feminist movement? COLEMAN:  I remain [...]

Hissa Hilal Fights “Fatwas” With Poetry

A talented Saudi poet, Hissa Hilal, has become the breakout star of Abu Dhabi’s popular game show the “Million’s Poet,” and she hasn’t even won yet.

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