feminist of the week: shoshana weissmann
Name: Shoshana Weissmann
Age: 20
Occupation: Political Director of The Casale Group, Founder of Network Red, and Junior at The George Washington University
Location: Washington, D.C., United States
Describe yourself in one word:
SuperRepublican!
What is your feminist philosophy?
When there is a glass ceiling? Break through it. If someone treats you poorly or patronises you because of your gender, race, sexual orientation, etc., use it as an opportunity to prove them foolish. Lean in, and lead. Do so especially when facing sexism or discrimination of any kind.
When did you have your feminist awakening
Never. My dad raised me to believe I could do anything I wanted and that all people are equal. Accordingly, I have always followed my dreams as though they can be accomplished, because they can. I can achieve equally as much as any man, and have never been made to feel otherwise.
My mum was always supportive too. Furthermore, I actually didn’t know terms for races or the word “race” itself existed until I went to school and other kids told me. My father didn’t think it was necessary for me to learn to distinguish between people on the basis of race, because he wanted me to know that everyone is equal.
Why is feminism important in today’s world?
Achieving equality is among the most worthwhile endeavours. Feminism is a component of that.
What are you doing to further the feminist cause today?
I always go out of my way to help men and women in politics. There is a misconception that women are treated very poorly in politics. I have worked in Republican politics for almost six years – since I was 14. I have seen the occasional instance of sexism, but it is very rare. That being said, if someone, especially a woman, doesn’t feel welcome in a political situation, I like to help make her feel confident and welcome. Furthermore, when I ran GWU for Romney, I chose women to fill most of the executive board positions because they were the most qualified. Currently, the majority of Network Red staffers who I have brought aboard are women. I like helping people break into politics. That’s why I founded Network Red.
What is the most important feminist cause in your life?
The most important feminist cause in my life is working in politics to promote prosperity. I work in a wonderful party – the GOP – with wonderful people. I work to promote people and organisations who are promoting economic prosperity. A bad economy hits women the hardest, and a good one helps them the most. President Obama has enabled a terrible economy that is having terrible effects on women. I want to help change that and make prosperity more achievable for women.
Can men be considered feminist? Why should men take up the feminist cause? Absolutely. So long as men see women as their equals, they are feminist. I would consider my father a strong feminist. When everybody is considered equal, it is beneficial for America. Women and men are different, and think differently to an extent. Diversity of thought regarded equally is beneficial for society as a whole.
Do you think that feminism has a branding issue? If so, why and how do you suggest the movement can fix it?
I think a lot of feminists stress the point that women are kept down. That should not be the focus. The better focus is to show women how to advance themselves in spite of sexism.
Who is your favorite feminist? What is your favorite feminist organisation and why?
Mia Love. She is so strong but also sweet. I can’t get enough of her! I love how she has used her adversity and her parents’ adversity to influence her outlook and prompt her prosperity. I agree with her on most of her stances, and I love her outlook. She is so inspiring in so many ways.
Smart Girl Politics. SGP empowers young, right-of-centre women to speak out. They’re always doing volunteer work, partnering with different organisations on projects, and more. They are constantly doing something new to promote women in politics.
What’s your advice to other feminists?
Pursue your dreams and goals. We live in America – the freest country. You can do anything. If you can’t do something because sexism gets in the way? Work harder than a man in your position might have to, make sure people know that there is injustice, and work until you achieve your goals. There is no shame in working harder – only in giving up.
You can find out more about Networking Red here.
Republicans – including Romney – want to ban abortion and deprive women of sexual and reproductive health care. I don’t consider anyone who supports those policies and describes the Republica party as “wonderful” to be in any way a feminist. Funny you didn’t even ask the question.
I agree. I think this is a great profile, because it reminds people that it is not as clear cut as: Democrat=progressive, Republican=oppressive in every sense. But I do think Evangeline has a point. The Republican stance on abortion and reproductive health is a major issue at the moment and a genuine concern for American women, expecially for WOC. Particularly after Senator Wendy Davis’ filibuster last week. Why not bring that up?
Junene’s Feminist of the Week column follows a specific set of questions, developed to cover a broad range of topics relating to feminism, without attacking anyone, or holding anyone accountable for their personal politics or beliefs. It’s a space for us to remember and celebrate the fact that there are many different kinds of feminists out there, and that we are a broad movement with multiple and diverse voices and forms.
Lip is not a space to judge, or to to question someone’s commitment to feminism. You and I might personally believe that belief in reproductive rights and feminism are mutually inclusive, and it is difficult to have one without the other. However, this is not the space for that discussion – though I would be happy to read an opinion piece on the issue, should either Ruth or Evangeline like to submit one.
No judgement – like I said, I thought it was a great profile that demonstrated, like you said, that we are diverse and broad, and there is no ‘right’ kind of feminism.
I just thought since the Republican Party and reproductive rights is so topical right now that it would have rated a mention, but I was unaware of the structure of the interview.
I’m judging.
And I’m also asking, if this isn’t a place to question and judge, then what is it for?
You’ve just endorsed the views of a woman who thinks that the woman-hating Republican Party is “wonderful” without challenging her on the issue that is burning up places like Austin right now.
And to say that this “column” is actually nothing but a questionnaire is no answer at all.
I do see what you’re saying, Evangeline (and on a personal level, I completely agree with you).
But the aims of the column are to try to present as many views as possible. Lip is absolutely a place to question and analyse feminist identities, but the ‘Feminist of the Week’ column is genuinely a profile questionnaire, not an analysis of people’s personal feminist identities. Again, I would happily publish an opinion piece on feminists who belong to the Republican or conservative parties, and whether it is possible to support feminism while belonging to a party that openly campaigns against the rights of women, but I don’t think that attacking Shoshana personally is the appropriate way to do that.
Ruth and Evangeline, thank you for your comments. Like Zoya mentioned previously, this is a personality profile with a feminist angle, not an indepth interview. It’s not my job to judge the people featured or only choose individuals who share my feminist view point. I want to get as many feminist povs as possible because everyone’s story is different and feminism isn’t just one thing, with one outlook. I think this profile shows the diversity of feminism and I am glad it has sparked conversation.
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