RISD Feminists Speak Out

Wearing a look of determination, Joanna Claessens 18 FS neatly writes a powerful statement on a whiteboard: “As an aspiring filmmaker in 2014, I’m not going to receive the same benefits as my male counterparts. F*** that noise.” The Foundation Studies student caps the pen and tilts her chin toward Ocean Wong 17 IL, who takes a picture – and with a quick flash, a piece of political art is made.

The commanding portrait was one of many taken over the weekend during a photo shoot hosted by RISD Feminists, a new student org dedicated to gender equality. Students from all majors dropped by Ewing House to write down personal reasons for advocating for women’s rights. The arresting images will eventually be used in a campus-wide poster campaign to promote awareness and garner support.

Rebecca Richards 16 IL, who joined the group at the start of the semester, notes that more than half of her friends have been sexually assaulted or harassed. “Anyone who says women are considered unequivocally equal [in society] just isn’t paying attention,” she says. “There’s a lot more work to be done.”