Feature Audience Analysis PUBLICATION: SUBJECT: BUST Magazine How feminism translates from college campuses to post-graduation life

with a look at the University of Central Floridas related organizationsVOX and NOW and the local chapter of AAUW. Feminism 101: From dorm pad to college grad To inform the audience about the campus feminism trend and what national organizations are doing to further it. With interviews from key members and students, the audience will become more aware of how to plug into their own local feminism climate to transfer from college life to the real world. BUST magazine caters to bright, creative, and on the cutting edge female tastemakers who are interested in all things grrl-friendly. Breaking stereotypes and spreading awareness of important subjects, BUST appeals to both generation X and Y women looking to set new standards for the world.

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Why do people read this publication regularly? The BUST audience wants to stay up-to-date on subjects important to women: feminist organizations and news highlights, fashion and beauty, celebrity interviews, home and health, advice columns, and erotic fiction. BUST delivers these subjects to women in a unique voicesassy, proud to be female, and nonjudgmental. The audience stays loyal because of the refreshing topics and tone. What does the audience already know about the subject? This audience is well versed in feminist theory and has an idea of the feminism climate on their campus (or alma mater) and its surrounding area. They are interested in learning how to plug in to these organizations and the benefits doing so provides. The audience also knows that campus activism dwindles post-graduation and are looking for ways to avoid that trend. What does the audience need to know about the subject? The audience needs to know a few things: how feminism looks on campus through organizations, how that view changes post-graduation, the types of organizations on and off campus that would be relevant to them, and tips for staying active over time. Describe why you are or are not a member of this discourse community. I am a member of this discourse community because I am a young female college student interested in women-focused organizations on campus. But I am not active in any of these organizations. What would you have to do to gain membership or retain membership?

Because I am not a member of any feminist campus organizations, I would have to attend a meeting or two, get in touch with other members and leaders, and research the topic further. Using these tactics I can effectively write on this subject without being a complete member of the discourse community. Identify the strategies you plan to use in overcoming credibility problems. Like mentioned above, I would attend organization meetings and events, interview other members and leaders, and research trends and statistics related to the topic. What specific response(s) do you hope to elicit from the audience? The social action for this piece would be to educate college students and post-graduates on ways to be involved in feminist organizations as well as comment on the advantages and disadvantages of membership. After reading this piece I want the audience to understand how campus activism translates to the real world.

Lauren Holiday
laurenly@knights.ucf.edu 12137 Knights Krossing Circle Apt. 7-101 Orlando, FL 32817 (850) 322-5116 April 21, 2014 Features Editor BUST P.O. Box 1016 Cooper Station New York, NY 10276 Dear Features Editor, In the trek from dorm pad to college grad, hauling feminist beliefs along for the ride is a daunting adventure. Wide-eyed and idealistic, packs of young women are hitting the sidewalks of their universities looking for a sense of girl-powered community in an overwhelming and otherworldly environment. Plugging in to a campus club seems the best path toward independence, opportunity and community. But, what happens once graduation caps are flung in the air and these women find themselves in the real world? This is the question I ask myself, like many other BUST readers, as I prepare for my own graduation. The article I have written, Feminism 101: From Dorm Pad to College Grad, synthesizes my research on finding the right womens organizations to become involved in during college, how to stay active once college is taken out of college feminist, and what this means for women across the nation. Using personal testimonies from current students, graduates and established organization leaders, my feature story brings to life the struggles women face during the transition, while detailing tried and true methods to staying active in local and national movements. Feminism 101: From Dorm Pad to College Grad is 1,600 words long, as per the BUST submission guidelines for feature articles, and includes photographs of students involved in organizational events and professionals mentoring new members. As a student at the University of Central Florida, I have accessed on-campus organizations such as Voices of Planned Parenthood (VOX) and the National Organization for Women (NOW), as well as off-campus groups, like the American Association of University Women (AAUW). These communities have opened up to my questions, providing BUST readers first-hand knowledge on this must-read, grrl-friendly topic. Thank you for taking the time to read my attached article and considering it for publication in BUST. I look forward to hearing from you at your convenience. Sincerely,

Lauren Holiday
Lauren Holiday laurenly@knights.ucf.edu (850) 322-5116

Feminism 101: From Dorm Pad to College Grad

By Lauren Holiday

n the trek from dorm pad to college grad, hauling feminist beliefs along for the ride is a daunting adventure. Wide-eyed and idealistic, packs of young women are hitting the sidewalks of their universities looking for a sense of girl-powered community in an overwhelming and otherworldly environment. Plugging in to a campus club seems the best path toward independence, opportunity and community. But, what happens once graduation caps are flung in the air and these women find themselves in the real world? Its easy to think that staying active in local and national feminist movements would be a natural part of the transition off campus; after all, dedicating time for strong beliefs is an activity that should be present during any stage of your life. Unfortunately, burn out in activism is common, according to Meredith Tweed, Instructor of Womens Studies at the University of Central Florida. An activist since childhood, Tweed started to connect her civic engagement to gender while at college, and continues her interest in girls and leadership studies and transnational feminism through teaching and research. Most of my peers left feminist activism for professional life, stated Tweed when we chatted about her personal experience transitioning out of undergraduate academia. I think if youre not doing activism for your job, a lot of the time activism tends to go away. What exactly happens after graduation day that impacts young women so strongly? Well, a few common trends tend to emerge among fresh alumni in the work placetime scarcity, delayed motherhood, and societal malfunctions, which includes a gender pay gap, sexual harassment, and community ideas about female dress. As Tweed put it, These issues stop being theory and start becoming the experience. Imagine it this way: When a young woman lands her first career job, the first few months are usually dedicated to on-the-job training. She is required to not only become socially acclimated to the unique organization environment, but to also learn new skills. This takes much time and energy during the work day, of being physically and mentally present. Also, like a lot of women today, she is delaying motherhood

until her finances are secure. This creates pressure to do well in her career through advancing to higher and higher paying positions. Yet, she is faced with a gender pay gap and discriminatory society norms regarding proper feminine behavior and dress. All of these worries create a time scarcity, where once prominent activities slowly move lower in priority to accommodate seemingly more pressing career concerns.

Women with masters degrees still make less than men with bachelors degrees. Megan Seely, author of Fight Like a Girl: How To Be a Fearless Feminist

Combating these issues is actually an easy process, especially if started during your college career. To get plugged in, students should research campus organizations geared toward feminist initiatives. Some common national organizations include: the National Organization of Women, the American Association of University Women, Voices for Planned Parenthood, and the Feminist Majority Foundation. Megan Seely, author of Fight Like a Girl: How National Organization of To Be a Fearless Feminist, suggests checking out several Women now.org Since our founding in 1966, NOWs goal organizations to see which group best suits your has been to take action to bring about philosophy. A quick way to get a feel for each equality for all women. organizations mission is to find their website or American Association of Facebook page. You can easily see their priorities, goals University Women aauw.org and member engagement. If your campus doesnt Our missionadvancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, already have an active chapter, take the extra step to set education, philanthropy, and research. one up. Generations of women will have you to thank for Voices for Planned Parenthood the girl-friendly environment on campus! plannedparenthood.org Speaking of generations, one of the biggest contributions to women continuing their activism beyond college life is finding mentors who are willing to guide and support them along the way. Seely purports that we have the opportunity to share experiences Feminist Majority Foundation feminist.org with, and learn from, one another intergenerationally, FMF was created to develop bold, ne w but we largely arent. Tension between older feminists, strategies and programs to advance or second wavers, and todays feminists, the third womens equality, non-violence, economic development, and, most wavers, is growing as young women begin moving into importantly, empowerment of women leadership positions at prominent organizations. Tweed and girls in all sectors of society. believes it would be very beneficial to have these intergenerational conversations, where younger women are integrated into the management of the feminist movement. One woman who did just that is Kelly Quintero who was elected as UCF NOWs statewide legislative director. In her experience older feminists are usually really receptive toward young people becoming involved. You just have to ask! And even if you dont have mentors who you are directly in contact with, Leandra Preston-Sidler, Womens Studies professor at UCF, said her
We believe in the fundamental right of each individual to manage his or her fertility and that reproductive selfdetermination must be voluntary and preserve the individuals right to privacy.

mentors were more influential because she was inspired by their work, rather than being a part of her daily life. It is also equally as important to bring activism into your daily life, especially after graduation. Commonly termed as lived activism, Preston-Sidler encourages her students to see this lifestyle as the foundation to more ordinary forms of involvement, such as protesting or volunteering. Incorporating politically and socially conscious decisions during everyday activities is easy, according to Seely. She believes simply having conversations with sisters and friends about current events is a form of activism which can be seamlessly integrated into any professional life. One organization geared toward improving the status of women in the business world is the Athena Society. Their mission is to promote equality through the removal of artificial boundaries to success and by fostering leadership through collaboration and education. Connecting to a community like this one allows young women to transition into the workforce backed by peers who are doing the same and mentors who have been there, done that. What I found is to never compromise your beliefs in your professional life, warns Quintero. And thanks to lived activism and business-women-centered organizations, her advice can now be followed. Along with burnout, neglect of self-care is common among young activists, Tweed pointed out. Women who prioritize their activism above physical, mental and social health tire sooner and end up neglecting the balance their lives deserve. Its important to remember that s elf-care doesnt just including making time for yoga, though thats really important too, but it also means making time to network and create spaces that are both political and social, with people who are like-minded. Tweed Self-care doesnt just include goes on to elaborate how finding meaningful life outside making time for yogathough of work, family and other responsibilities in your early thats really important, toobut twenties can help safe-guard the priority that is self-care it also means making time to for a lifetime. A surprisingly great way to become network and create spaces that involved in meaningful work outside of day-to-day are both political and social, with responsibilities can be found in faith-based people who are like-minded. organizations. The Unitarian Universal Association and Meredith Tweed related communities like the Unitarian Universalist Womens Federation, provide a modern spiritual

experience that advances justice for women and promotes their spiritual growth. Round out your active feminist lifestyle by staying up-to-date on news, views and literature in local, national and global spheres. Start by learning Quick Tips For Becoming and our herstory, the collective history of women Staying Involved: fighting for justice, to understand the present and 1. Research what organizations plan for the future. Seely gives a concise are available on your chronology of the U.S. Womens Movement in her campus. Dont see one for book Fight Like a Girl: How To Be a Fearless Feminist you? Start your own! a great resource for new and veteran feminists alike. 2. Find mentorsin your She also points to outside literature for further academic, organizational, reading on particular subjects of interest. Magazines and professional life. Dont be are always a fun read as well, so grab a copy of Ms., afraid to ask for guidance. Bitch and past issues of BUST (if you dont already 3. Live out your activism daily. own them!), and read up. Connect to blogs that Making small decisions to promote feminist ideals, such as Feministe, Jezebel further your political, social and Women in Media & News Blog. These are only and spiritual beliefs can make a big impact. but a few of the many diverse written resources for 4. Prioritize self-care by feminists nationally.
creating a meaningful life outside of your regular responsibilities. Check out faith-based associations. 5. Read. And read some more. Learn our herstory and stay up-to-date on feminist news through blogs.

In five quick steps young women can plan for their success transitioning from dorm pad to college grad. But ultimately, like Preston-Sidler suggests, we must stay true to our passions. If you do something you love and that matters to you, you have a better shot at both success and happiness.