The Ten Best - Ever (Post Seven in a Series)

9. Grassroots by Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards

This one came out in 2005 and is by far the most recently-published book on
this list. The subtitle is “A field guide for feminist activism”, and
that’s exactly what the book is. The authors were motivated to write it
because people kept asking them what exactly they could do to effect social
change.

The book influenced me in a couple ways. It helped me realize that there’s
more than one way to be an activist. I don’t need to quit my job and tie
myself to a tree or get arrested demonstrating in DC! There are other forms
activism can take, including the fact that I can weave it into my own life
(like, starting an LGBT group at my company or volunteering for a group that
provides business clothing to women – things I’ve actually done!) Heck,
maybe for me it quiets the part of my voice that reminds me that Alison
Bechdel would not fully approve of how I live my life.

Also, this book helped me realize that I like books that help you do
something, that provide practical advice - and even better when they help you
do something that makes a difference in the world. Nothing against theory, but
there’s a lot to be said for practicality. Maybe those words also describe
the approach I’ve taken to my life.