The Women’s Studies Program brought Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards, co-writers of “Manifesta” to speak in Lindsay Auditorium on Thursday, Jan. 23. The authors discussed their new book as well as activism, feminism and social justice.

Amy Richards is an activist, writer and consultant. She co-founded the Third Wave Foundation and is an active member. She was a consultant for Gloria Steinem, the Ms. Foundation for Women, First Peoples Worldwide, Voters for Choice, Scenarios USA and others. She works on the Council of Advocates for Planned Parenthood NYC. Amy also has an online advice column called Ask Amy on feminist.com.

Jennifer Baumgardner is a former editor of Ms. magazine. She has been a full-time writer many magazines such as Harper’s, Bust, The Nation, Jane, Maxim, Nerve, MAMM, Rockrgrl, CMJ New Music Monthly, Time Out, Dissent and Ms. Jennifer is also an active member of the Third Wave Foundation and she has also worked with the Ms. Foundation, the New York Women’s Foundation, the Honor the Earth Foundation and Planned Parenthood.

During the presentation, Baumgardner and Richards talked about writing “Manifesta,” which came out in 2000. The authors asked themselves, “What does it mean to be a feminist?” “What is feminism?” and “What is activism?”

Activism was a main topic of the event. The writers said much of activism is about politics and how young women’s activism is based upon issues that impact them. Forms of activism include volunteering, writing to one’s congressperson, and donating money.

“You should look for the reward not being so immediate, but being more down the road,” Amy stated on the subject of fundraising, activism, feminism, and the work that she and Jennifer are involved in. Amy and Jennifer encourage people to root activism in their local communities.

Other topics discussed at the presentation include:

Reproductive health is as much a issue as it is a women’s issue.

Organizations that fundraise for important causes are sometimes too dependant on pop culture. People should not give celebrities too much value because they are celebrities. They are also citizens in their own right.

Feminist issues can include causes which do not directly impact women but that have repercussions for a larger audience.

The event was sponsored by the Women’s Studies Program, PRIDE, the Center, the Living and Learning Communities, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and the Undergraduate Women’s Council. Representatives of each of these groups were present at the presentation.