Courtney E Martin
Courtney E. Martin (born December 31, 1979) [1] is an American feminist, author, speaker, and social and political activist. She is known for co-editing the feminist blog, Feministing.com, speaking around the nation at universities, and writing a variety of books. Her writings also appear on numerous blog websites, one of which she is a weekly columnist for. She is also a recipient of the Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics.[2] She is known for promoting feminism by integrating storytelling and solutions into her writings and talks.[2]
Background[edit]
Courtney Martin is from Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she was raised by her parents.[2] She also has a brother. Her parents are both ex-hippie radicals who believed in women and men having equal contributions. Her mother later went on to create the longest running women’s film festival in the world while Martin was a teenager.[3] She attended William J. Palmer High School in Colorado. She then attended Barnard College, in New York,[2] after realizing many authors live in New York City.[3] She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science as well as sociology. She later went on to study at New York University, where she received a Master of Arts in writing and social change. Martin now resides in Oakland, California with her husband, John, and their daughter, Maya.[2]
Feminist Positions[edit]
Feminist Waves[edit]
Courtney Martin discusses the generation gap between the different waves of feminism, specifically second-wave feminism and third-wave feminism, in many of her speeches and writings. She labels herself as a third-wave feminist.[4] Martin often discusses the differences between the waves in terms of her own personal experiences regarding her and her mother.[1][4][5]
She notes that older generations often view third-wavers as entitled, but Martin states they were raised to believe they deserved certain rights and to fight for them.[6] She also points out that third-wavers have grown up in a world filled with many issues, leading her to state that her generation is overwhelmed.[7] In a TEDtalk in 2011, Martin brings up the issues of wealth disparity, xenophobia, environmental crisis, and sex trafficking and states “it’s enough to make you feel very overwhelmed” [1]
Another differentiating factor influencing the gap between second and third-wave feminism that Martin discusses is how they approach political activism. She discusses how second-wavers have typically organized protest marches in order to create change while third-wavers have turned to “online organizing”.[1] Using social media, online petitions, and blogs to raise awareness about feminist issues and social issues in general, as well as to bring about change, is a viable strategy that Martin argues could be the future of feminism.[7]
Work-Family Balance[edit]
Martin argues that the issue of work-family balance is not just a women’s issue as “men need family-friendly workplaces” as well.[8] She calls for workplace provided childcare, for legislature to “craft policies that support individuals and families,” for maternity and paternity leave, and for more workplace flexibility.[9][10][11] In an article for skirt.com in 2008, Martin writes “how can we claim to be economic providers and role models for our daughters and sons if we aren't also improving the work place climate they will inherit?” [11] She encourages not only women, but everyone to work for more family-friendly workplace policies.
Books[edit]
- Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters: How the Quest for Perfection is Harming Young Women, Courtney E. Martin, Simon & Schuster, 2007
The 21st century is frenzy of food and weight obsession. The media displays a multitude of images showing the “ideal” body and picture of success. This book focuses on the impact this has on women and the feminist movement. Martin argues that women need to think more positively about their bodies and redirect their energy toward creating better possibilities for life
- The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful, and (HIV) Positive, by Marvelyn Brown with Courtney Martin, Harper Collins, 2008
The story of how a normal 19 year old girl contracted HIV, that set her in a fight for her life, and in a situation that estranged her from her community. Despite her circumstances, she remains positive and shares her story in hopes of preventing others from going through her pain.
- Click: When We Knew We Were Feminists, Edited by J. Courtney Sullivan and Courtney E. Martin, Seal Press, 2010
Sullivan and Martin follow the stories of a number of influential women and the moments in their lives that led them to becoming feminists. Through these women’s stories, the authors describe what makes a feminist, and how the role of a feminist changes with the times.
- Do It Anyways: The New Generation of Activists, Courtney E. Martin, Beacon Press 2010
Do It Anyways fights the claims that the younger generation is apathetic by telling the stories of eight activists who, despite being ordinary people, are making a difference in the world.
- Project Rebirth: Survival and the Strength of the Human Spirit from 9/11 Survivors, by Dr. Robert Stern and Courtney E. Martin, Dutton/Penguin Press, 2011
A psychologist and a journalist examine how eight survivors from the 9/11 attacks learn to cope with grief and find peace despite their circumstances.
Online Contributions[edit]
Martin has used the internet as a source of spreading her views on feminism with others. She has done so through the use of multiple websites, including those of Feministing.com, Solutionsjournalism.org, and OnBeing.org.[2] She was a co-editor for Feministing.com, which is the largest feminist blog, from around the time it was founded until recently.[12] Now, she is a weekly columnist for On Being.[13] Alongside writing a numerous amount of articles for these two websites, her work can also be found on countless other websites. Some of these include YES! Magazine, The New York Times, and TED talks. Martin has been a co-founder of numerous “status quo bucking enterprises,” including Valenti Martin Media and #femfuture.[2]
Interviews[edit]
- Martin, Courtney (May 22, 2009) Conversation with Courtney Martin Interview with Marianne Schnall feminist.com[14]
- Martin, Courtney (Sept. 6, 2014) An Interview with Courtney Martin Interview with Isaac Graves isaacgraves.com[15]
- Martin, Courtney (Jan. 26, 2015) An interview with Courtney Martin Interview with Ashlie Ford Texas Lutheran University[16]
- Martin, Courtney (Jan. 8, 2015) Parker Palmer and Courtney Martin: The Inner Life of Rebellion Interview with Parker Palmer and Krista Tippett On Being[17]
- Martin, Courtney (June 24, 2010) The F-Bomb You Should Drop Click Book Review and Interview with Courtney Martin by Cosmopolitan cosmopolitan.com[18]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Martin, Courtney E. "Courtney Martin: This Isn't Her Mother's Feminism." TED. TED
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Martin, Courtney E. "Courtney E. Martin - Author / Speaker / Blogger." Courtney E. Martin - Author / Speaker / Blogger. Courtney E. Martin, n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Martin, Courtney E. "Courtney E. Martin." MAKERS. Makers, n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Martin, Courtney E. "A Family of Enraged and Impassioned Women." YES! Magazine. YES! Magazine, 18 Aug. 2004. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.
- ↑ Martin, Courtney E. “Letter to My Mother.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc., 17 Nov. 2011. Web. 5 Mar. 2015.
- ↑ Alboher, Marci. "Notes from an Intergenerational Conversation." The New York Times. The New York Times, 31 Mar. 2008. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Martin, Courtney. “Generation Overwhelmed.” The American Prospect. n.p., 21 Oct. 2007. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.
- ↑ Martin, Courtney. “Work/Life Balance is Not a Woman’s Issue.” The American Prospect. n.p., 23 Oct. 2009. Web. 6 Mar. 2015.
- ↑ Martin, Courtney E. "Transcending 9 to 5." The Shriver Report Transcending 9 to 5 Comments. N.p., 11 Sept. 2009. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.
- ↑ Martin, Courtney E.. "Child Care and the Overwhelmed Parent." The New York Times. The New York Times, 24 July 2014. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Martin, Courtney E. “Is Work/Life Balance Possible?” Skirt!.com. Morris Media Network, 27 Feb. 2008. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.
- ↑ Feministing. Feministing, n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2015
- ↑ "Courtney Martin." On Being. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2015
- ↑ Schnall, Marianne. "Interview with Courtney E. Martin by Marianne Schnall.” Interview with Courtney E. Martin by Marianne Schnall. Feminist.com, 22 May 2009. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.
- ↑ Graves, Isaac. "An Interview with Courtney Martin." Community and Education Interview Series. Isaacgraves.com, 6 Sept. 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
- ↑ "An Interview with Courtney Martin." Texas Lutheran University. N.p., 26 Jan. 2015. Web. 14 Mar. 2015.
- ↑ Tippett, Krista. "Transcript: Parker Palmer and Courtney Martin - The Inner Life of Rebellion." On Being. N.p., 8 Jan. 2015. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.
- ↑ Womble, Ashley. "The F-Bomb You Should Drop." Cosmopolitan. N.p., 24 June 2010. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.
External links[edit]
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