A small but invested group of Jag students brought together by a shared interest sit beneath soft luminescent pink lights that reflect tunefully in focused eyes. Pink is the symbolic color of innocence, compassion, affection—and namely, femininity.
The school’s Fem Club had their introductory meeting on Sept. 11 where they went over plans and expectations to shed recognition on the importance of feminism in the school. Their next meeting is Sept. 25.
“The purpose of the feminist club is to promote intersectional feminism,” club sponsor Hailey Mullen said. “Which is where we’re looking at the history of women’s rights, what has changed over time, and what’s still being worked on along with other aspects
of society that might be struggling for equality.”
Johnson’s sole feminist group primarily focuses on the embarking of civil reformation, particularly regarding women’s rights and additional minority circles. Meetings are chiefly organized to discuss ideas and current events, learn the history of marginalized groups, familiarize with other members, and spotlight relevant figures that paved roads for the feminism movement.
“I basically became a feminist after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022,” junior Deliah Brimer said. “Because I realized how many injustices were still going on even though women at the forefront may have the right to vote and such. Once I realized how much of a serious right was being taken away, however, I went, ‘okay, this is messed up, and more people need to know about this so we can fix this.’ ‘Cause it’s my own bodily autonomy and no one else’s.”
Additionally, the club does yearly diaper drives in collaboration with Austin Diaper Bank, a non-profit Austin based organization that distributes donations to surrounding counties including Hays CISD, in which they have students and teachers donate diapers alongside menstrual products for club members to box and carry out to individuals in need.
“With this, our club is not strictly Johnson orientated –besides being based on Johnson students, as we kind of let our members focus on how they want to affect the world from our classroom,” Mullen said.
Mullen stated they’re open to all potential joiners no matter the reasonings; whether it’s because one likes women’s history, is interested in current events, or just wants to hang out with friends. There is no limited application process so anyone can join anytime in the school year.
“I joined because I believe feminism is important world wide,” Brimer said. “Everyone deserves the same rights, and there shouldn’t be some form of favoritism or social hierarchy where some are above others– when we’re all human after all.”
Although centered in the school, the club touches on how significant feminism is globally and how to call for action.
“In huge places like America and Texas, it’s easy for people to not just forget, but also ignore for their own personal comfort that women around the world don’t have the same rights as American women,” junior Cole Lopez said. “So as the Fem Club, it’s fitting we also talk about that.”
The Fem Club, as a student unit, is mainly concerned with inspiring others and educating on the relevance of feminist values inside and outside the club, to showcase and prove its impactful stance, and hear out voices that otherwise may be silenced. It’s a force of equality, acceptance, and activism.
“I hope the club inspires people to realize you do have a voice,” Lopez said. “Because teenagers, not just women, are brushed aside for their questions or disagreements on the system. But the thing is, we all do have a voice whether or not we choose to use it, and people will listen. For the Fem Club and this school, we want to basically say ‘don’t be afraid to voice how you feel about things’, whether that’s on a large or small scale. Just somebody coming in on a random Thursday and afterwards feeling like they’ve been heard by others – is enough.”
