In Conversation: the Importance of Researching Feminist Resistance
Jennifer Blenkarn and Sarah Somerville are second year MA students at Lakehead, pursuing their degrees in Social Justice with a specialization in Women’s Studies. Over the past few months, they have been researching and archiving images from the Northern Woman Journal, published in Thunder Bay from 1973-1995. The Journal spent many years collaborating with the Northern Women’s Centre and The Northern Women’s Bookstore Collective to create a vibrant space for women in Thunder Bay. Blenkarn and Somerville document and post excerpts from the Journal on Instagram (@writingfeministresistance) in the form of stories, comics, art, quotes, and more. We have Blenkarn and Somerville in conversation with The Argus, sharing their interests, their research, the importance of her-story, and their feminist super-heroines.
The Argus: Can you introduce yourself and your own journeys and interests that led you to the work that you have been doing?
Sarah Somerville: My feminist journey began a long time ago, but only in bits and pieces and in ways I didn't necessarily understand at the time, but being a part of the Social Justice Studies and Women's Studies department, here at Lakehead, allowed me to expand and firmly establish my feminist identity. This particular project happened to be an opportunity through the Women's Studies department, and it has created space for me to recognize the importance of local feminist activism on a more micro level, and dive deep into the complexities and nuances of women's issues and the challenges of feminist collective action. I'm super excited about this project and I think it's really important to share in order to better understand our community and locationality, specifically in Thunder Bay.
Jennifer Blenkarn: My experience as a victim support worker in Ottawa confirmed my interest in fighting gender-based issues, and consequently, I decided to pursue my Masters degree in Social Justice with specialization in Women’s Studies. Being a part of the Women’s Studies specialization has provided a vast array of opportunities, such as being a Research Assistance for the Northern Woman Journal project, which has furthered my feminist identity.
The Argus: What was the thought behind @writingfeministresistance? And what have you learned through this project?
SS: We wanted to start an instagram page to bring the work done in the Northern Woman’s Journal to the realm of contemporality in a fun and accessible way. We also wanted to create space to challenge the 'mainstream' understanding of the second wave of feminism that defines it only through white-feminism and issues that pertain to the middle-class. The Northern Woman’s Journal gives us a more nuanced and localized understanding of grassroots feminism during this time, which I think is really important to share.
JB: While The Northern Woman’s Journal may appear to have been a local feminist initiative, it was a means of connecting with local, national and even transnational feminist communities. The @writingfeministresistance Instagram account was created as a modern way to connect with feminists locally, nationally, and trans-nationally while providing an opportunity to share some of the meaningful writing, pieces, and art work that are still so very relevant today.
The Argus: Reading the journals which were such a crucial local initiative, you must have found some really interesting things! What are some things that you would like to share, with respect to the research that you have been doing?
SS: I think for me the biggest thing is just how varied and dynamic the journal is. There are so many different perspectives shared in the journal highlighted through different mediums: poetry, art, comics, reports, academic articles, letters, music, books, etc. They included women's issues that I didn't necessarily think would be added based on my previous understanding of second wave feminism, particularly Indigenous women's issues and immigrant women's issues. I also think it is really cool that the journal was embedded in intersectional and transnational feminist principles, again, challenging my perceptions of the second wave of feminism. Because of this, it also challenges common perceptions of Thunder Bay as a small, monolithic northern town. Despite the backlash the journal often faced, it seems as though they were working towards an integrated feminist community and really challenged traditional hierarchical systems.
JB: What I find the most interesting is the scope of the Northern Woman’s Journal. Not only did this journal speak to a variety of topics, it was also read by a diverse group of folks, from all over the world! As a transplant to Thunder Bay, I have found it fascinating to learn more about the local feminist history in my new community and I always get a big laugh out of the comics!
The Argus: Is there any woman that has inspired your own feminist journey?
Both: We wouldn't say there's one specific woman or quote that has inspired our feminist journeys!
SS: I think for me it comes down to my own relationships with the amazing powerhouse of women I'm blessed to have in my life. I get my inspiration from seeing these women each day take on life in a different way, and create space for themselves and other women in really powerful, dynamic, and important ways. And of course I’ve learnt tremendously from the life experiences and scholarship of other feminists, both past and present.
JB: Agreed! I believe that I am very fortunate to surround myself with so many powerful, insightful, and supportive women that continue to inspire me daily. Here in Thunder Bay, I feel so fortunate to be a part of the community that has been created by the Women's Studies department, a community filled with inspirational women doing incredible work!
The Argus: What is your girl-power quote that motivates you?
SS: There are so many!
JB: My current favourite girl-power quote that motivates me is “Roses are red, knowledge is power, go smash the patriarchy, you beautiful flower” – unknown.
Each year, many women take on different initiatives to empower each other and discover their stories. Blenkarn and Somerville are just one example of a plethora of women who are uncovering these histories through research. On this International Women’s Day let us celebrate all women and their contributions to history, and the world.