People often ask us about what it means to be a “feminist” bookstore. What does feminism mean to us? Why continue to be a specifically feminist bookstore? A few years ago we, and our non-profit sister organization Charis Circle, sat down and attempted to articulate one vision of feminism that we support. We recognize that there are always many feminisms. This is what we mean by "feminism" today:

Whereas patriarchy is a system which fractures and divides all people, we believe in the basic human right of wholeness. Feminism embraces people in all of their multiplicities and intersecting identities. We honor the contradictions which always exist within human beings. We respect the infinite ways we express our genders. We acknowledge the very real discrepancies between the quality of life of women and of men and between gender non-conforming people and gender conforming people. We value individuals across all stages of life from birth to death. We celebrate the voices of those who tell the truth regardless of the consequences. We listen even when it is hard. We align ourselves with people throughout the world who work for social justice and seek to uphold the dignity and integrity of human lives and experiences.

Want to talk about it? Come in and see us or attend one of Charis Circle's many programs on feminism in action. We'd love to hear your thoughts on what feminism means to you!