The Other Women: Radicalizing Feminism

A recent international symposium on radicalizing feminism explored ways of developing a dialogic feminism that emphasizes working in different settings under the common goal of including women who have been invisible in the dominant feminist literature by furthering theories and practices based on the principles of dialogic feminism. The seminar included the following presentations: "Latinas in US Schools" (Antonia Darder); "Working Class Women's Learning Stories" (Barbara Merrill); "The Time Is Now: Education for Radical Democracy and Transgressive Action" (Eileen de los Reyes, Yamila Hussein); "Education as a Bridging Strategy between Feminist Organizations and Low-Income Women" (Nelly Stromquist); and "The Other Women: Social Transformation in Gender Relations" (Lidia Puigvert). The following actions for developing dialogic feminism emerged from the presentations: (1) open a space for dialogue and reflection about the need to radicalize feminism by including women with no academic experience and any other women who have been excluded from the mainstream feminist discourse; (2) strengthen the foundations of a universal feminism that includes all women and women's cultures as a tool for change; (3) promote ways of social participation of nonacademic women that recognize their cultural diversity and contribution to society; and (4) discuss the role of education in helping women overcome social barriers and exclusion. (Contains 15 references.) (MN)