The twentieth anniversary release of a groundbreaking feminist text: a powerful indictment of the current state of feminism, and a passionate call to arms
Today, people of all genders strive to uphold the goals of feminism and proudly embrace the term, but the movement itself is often beset with confusion and questions. Does personal empowerment happen at the expense of politics? Is feminism for the few—or does it speak to the many as they bump up against daily injustices? What does it mean to say "the future is female"?
In 2000, Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards’s Manifesta set out to chronicle the feminism of their generation. They brilliantly revealed the snags in various hubs of the movement—from antipathy to the term itself to the hyped hatred of feminism’s imperfect spokespeople—and showed that these snags had not imperiled the feminist cause. The book went on to inspire a new generation of readers and has become a classic of contemporary feminist literature.
In the decades since Manifesta was published, the world has changed in ways both promising and terrifying. This twentieth anniversary edition of Manifesta features an updated bibliography, timeline, and resources, as well as a new introduction by the authors. Expertly unpacking both early women’s history and the Third Wave feminism that seeded the active righteous intersectionality we see today, Manifesta remains an urgent and necessary tool to make sense of our past, present, and future.
As a cofounder of the Third Wave Foundation and the coauthor of Manifesta (FSG, 2000) and Grassroots (FSG, 2005), Amy Richards is one of the foremost leaders of the Third Wave feminist movement. Her writing and her organizing have made an indelible impact on the lives of young women. She is also the cofounder of the feminist speakers bureau Soapbox and the voice behind "Ask Amy," the online advice column she launched at feminist.com. She lives in New York City with her family.
“Manifesta is a breath of fresh air. At last, Gen X takes on feminism and revamps a feminist manifesto for a new era. A jolt, a resource, a timeline, and a challenge, Manifesta is a readable, well-informed, and necessary to any young woman—or man—who craves gender equality.” —Naomi Wolf
“[The authors] have sorted out the fruits of this wave of feminism—intended and unintended, media mess and truth—for a new generation. With wit and honesty, Manifesta shows us the building blocks of the future of this longest revolution.” —Gloria Steinem
“Great news from the front--feminism lives! Bold, independent, generous, and cautionary, Manifesta leaves no doubt that for a new generation of women the F-word is not only speakable but shoutable and singable. To learn the tune and catch the beat, read this book.” —Alix Kates Shulman
“Manifesta is another step toward the empowerment of women. If caring about women matters, this book matters.” —Andrea Dworkin
"Manifesta was the inspiration for my movie The Itty Bitty Titty Committee. This brilliant book continues to inspire me with its fierce call to justice. A must read for anyone wanting to understand our history and a call to arms for the fights ahead!" —Jamie Babbit, director, But I'm a Cheerleader
"Manifesta was my bible in college—and beyond. I carried it with me everywhere.” —Katie Cappiello, writer/creator, SLUT: The Play and the Netflix series Grand Army
"Manifesta changed my life." —Nancy Redd, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author
“Bold feminist literature then and just as relevant now. An inspiration for a new generation of social justice activists. With a voice that is smart and relatable, this book is fuel for the revolution as we persevere in the fight for equality 20 years later." —Kimberly Culmone, Senior Vice President, Design Barbie and Fashion Dolls
“A reasoned and passionate call to action and an exciting how-to guide for both burgeoning and seasoned Third Wave feminists.” —Eleanor J. Bader, Library Journal