Announcing the Release of Equal & Empowered: Essays, Poems, and Art Inspired by Feminism by Young Students Around the World

We are delighted to announce that Equal & Empowered: Essays, Poems, and Art Inspired by Feminism: By Young Students Around the World is now available.

“Words are a form of action, capable of influencing change. Their articulation represents a complete, lived experience.”

— Ingrid Bengis

In a world fraught with the injustice of gender inequality, and bracing from the continuous and brutal assault on the rights of womxn and girls, the feminist articulations of these young students are remarkable. The essays, poems, and art of the youth authors of Equal & Empowered are an illuminating guide for action — a channeling of righteous anger and frustration, youthful idealism, and pure hope.

“Our logic was and still is: if you change and empower enough communities, you change the world.”

These writers, artists, dreamers, and thinkers call attention to the past and present struggles of women, and every marginalized group, in work that is poignant, witty, exemplary, stirring, and heart-felt. It's the brainchild of students—of all ages—coming together to educate their peers on feminism, and to invite change in their respective communities, spanning the globe.

From a ten-year-old boy speaking his mind about inequality to a young woman with autism discussing the feminine spectrum, this is a book by young people for everyone.

As the founders of the namesake organization share, they put their energy into a group that could inform and empower their peers and other young people on and about feminism. Honoring feminist ideals through their organization, they began raising awareness about the issues women and other marginalized groups face. Still, there existed a desire to do more: to broaden the conversation, to bring more diverse voices to the table, and to further the honest, vulnerable, and decisive dialogue they inspired.

It is in the context of dynamic and impassioned youth activism that Equal & Empowered was launched. After winning a competitive grant process with the Palm Beach Philanthropy, these young women leaders committed their resources to cultivating a global community, and a platform to document, and share, the diverse but unanimously convicted perspectives on feminism.

What began as a school group to engage in conversation about gender inequality and raise awareness about the true definition of feminism blossomed into the creation of something tangible, something that could further their mission, and something that would exemplify their thoughts and opinions on feminism. This publication is the fruition of their commitment and passion for a better and more just world.