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The Witness Journal contributors Magda Kanecka and Gemma Gradwell sat down for an interview with the Feminist Society (FemSoc) at the University of Exeter and co-authored this article, delving into the society’s mission, its community-building efforts, and its commitment to intersectional feminism. For Annabel and Karolina, President and Publicity Officer of Feminist Society, the society has always been a place to cultivate community and friendship. At a university where political discussion is common, Annabel believes, “Exeter needs a feminist society.”
Both committee members describe FemSoc as a small but dedicated community that provides a safe space on campus, countering the worrying anti-feminist trend in both national and international politics. FemSoc prioritises inclusion for all under the banner of intersectional feminism.
What is FemSoc?
At its heart, FemSoc is a space for discussion and a place to unwind at fun socials, such as coffee mornings at the Undergrad or their recent Galentine’s movie night. Fortnightly discussion groups explore themes ranging from ecofeminism to the intersection of gender dynamics and family responsibility, all in a relaxed, conversational format designed to foster good-faith, reflective conversations. Both committee members emphasise that everyone, including new members, is always welcome at FemSoc at any time of the year. Notably, the society places accessibility at the core of its activities, offering Zoom attendance for discussion sessions and prioritising accessible venues for socials.
FemSoc also works to break down barriers to involvement, particularly the feeling that one must be highly knowledgeable to contribute to discussions on societal issues. As Annabel notes, “People think they have to be completely well-versed on a topic to share an opinion.” Karolina highlights the importance of discussion groups that are open and not inherently academic. Annabel also acknowledges the many stressors students face in the current political climate, from the cost of living to general mental wellbeing. She hopes FemSoc can provide a much-needed break from an often-difficult reality and is committed to keeping membership and stash costs low to address financial concerns.
Annabel and Karolina also stress the importance of FemSoc’s engagement with the local community. The society had a significant presence at this year’s Reclaim the Night March in Exeter, which raises awareness of women’s safety and empowers women to feel secure when walking home at night. Annabel describes giving a speech on behalf of students at the march as an “incredible experience.” Additionally, FemSoc has previously fundraised for FearFree, a charity supporting survivors of domestic violence, and looks forward to initiating further charity partnerships in the future.
Shaping Discourse on Campus and Beyond
Both committee members believe that engagement with local initiatives and charities is a key way FemSoc facilitates change, and they are incredibly proud of their achievements so far. Annabel notes that, in light of the international rise of the far right, she hopes FemSoc can make progress on campus by “talking to people and helping to reduce stereotypes about feminism,” particularly the misconception that ‘feminists hate men’. She emphasises that FemSoc provides a safe, left-wing space on campus—and it is here to stay. Karolina adds that collaborations with political societies are often rewarding, as the dialogue can “force people to re-examine their beliefs.”
FemSoc has faced challenges, many of which mirror those facing feminism globally. “A widespread problem is women who think feminism is not needed,” says Karolina. Both agree this often stems from stereotypes and misconceptions, which the society hopes to address through dialogue and accurate representations of feminism. Promoting the society can also be difficult, especially as a smaller organisation. “When you are a small society, everything takes more effort,” Karolina admits.
Both committee members appreciate the Guild’s support in promoting FemSoc events but wish the University itself would focus more on feminist issues and engagement with local feminist causes. While they acknowledge the importance of recent Movember campaigns, they suggest that the promotional material missed an opportunity to explore the links between the men’s mental health crisis and patriarchy. With political engagement among young people declining, they recognise the challenge of mobilising students around issues that may not seem immediately relevant to them.
Despite these challenges, both committee members remain optimistic. Annabel hopes to “keep creating community and get more men involved.” They are eager to support new committee members with ideas for the future and will continue prioritising local charity initiatives that support women in Exeter and beyond. They are also excited about upcoming collaborations with other societies and the newly launched Academics Against Assault movement.
Discussing Intersectional Feminism
Our discussion started by determining the importance of intersectional feminism, one of the core values of the Feminist Society at Exeter. President Annabel tells us that “feminism is inherently intersectional; you can’t have feminism without intersectionality.” Publicity Officer Karolina then highlights that “different people face different problems,” later adding that “we can’t fix [this] by only focusing on one without tackling others.”
The society upholds this not only by preaching the message but also by acting on it—hosting collaborative events with societies that highlight the intersectionality of gender with sexuality, disability, and race. Both committee members interviewed highlighted collaborations with the LGBTQ+ Society, the Students of Colour Association, and the Neurodivergent & Disabled Students’ Society. President Annabel adds that FemSoc aims to spotlight different minority groups’ experiences in its speaker events and discussion groups to accurately maintain the values of intersectional feminism.
When asked about good starting points for individuals unfamiliar with the concept of intersectionality, Publicity Officer Karolina highlights the work of Kimberlé Crenshaw and Maya Angelou in particular. “There is a lot of stigma around the word, and people often see it as overly complicated,” she tells us. “The concept needs to be easy to understand for people to realise its importance,” she adds.
President Annabel then highlights the works of Catherine Jenkins, as well as the TED Talk and book We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. She adds that learning the definition and seeking it out wherever you go is a good example of how to stay aware and proactive in recognising your privileges. “[The movie] Barbie is a good starting point [for] learning to keep a critical lens, and it’s also directed by a woman,” she elaborates.
“A lot of feminism is written by white, straight, Western women,” Annabel states, “and the biggest challenges for [intersectional feminism] include the recent rise of the far right, as well as echo chambers within incel culture on social media and beyond”—highlighting the most significant issue for intersectional feminism today. Karolina then adds that government attempts at incorporating intersectional policies have still not been sufficient in tackling these issues.
President Annabel tells us that the input of her A-level Philosophy teacher, who also led the feminist group at her old school, was what sparked her interest in intersectional feminism. “Gender equality always came up […], but never quite enough.” She wrote her Extended Essay during her IB exams about what it means to be a woman, and she states that this is where she gained her knowledge about the intersectional experiences of women around the world.
Karolina agrees, adding that studying feminist ideologies was often very broad and “never touched on personal issues.” She spoke about how feminism varies across different societies and how personal experiences can differ based on one’s background. She believes that these diverse perspectives bring value while still sharing core feminist values, even if indirectly. She talks about how coming from a Hungarian background exposed her to the different experiences that women have in varying political climates. “There is an idea that when women take on traditional values (cooking, being stay-at-home mums, being in a happy marriage), they can no longer be feminist,” she tells us, expressing her dissatisfaction with the rise of ‘girl-boss’ feminism, which expects women to rebel against all traditional values.
Intersectional feminism very often interacts with other subtypes of feminism. The Feminist Society highlights that there is no place for TERFs (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminists) in FemSoc, with Annabel stating that “TERF feminism is not feminism.” “Intersectional feminism is so important because it highlights everyone and doesn’t leave people behind,” she adds. FemSoc stands for women’s choices to do whatever they wish within society, and by embracing the intersections of different identities, this is further encouraged.
“Girl-boss feminism is so co-opted by capitalism and commercialism,” Annabel states, and Karolina adds that “Radical feminism in general often drives people away and gives a flawed version of what feminism is, which then creates divisions between feminists, which is not what we want.” To them, intersectional feminism tackles this accurately, hence it being the key value of FemSoc that the committee wishes to uphold throughout their time managing the society.
Looking Ahead: Building an Inclusive and Engaged Community
For those interested but hesitant to join FemSoc, Annabel strongly emphasises that the society is a safe space for everyone, regardless of their pre-existing knowledge of feminism. “You can be yourself here and talk about whatever you wish to!” she elaborates. Any members and prospective members are encouraged to message the FemSoc account with any problems or requests, with the committee priding themselves on their approachability and friendliness. “Our discussion groups are not always theoretical and political,” Karolina says, “and [FemSoc’s] committee does their best to meet everyone’s needs.”
FemSoc is very relaxed about attendance at socials, academic events, or discussion groups, with President Annabel emphasising that the sense of community the society creates is there regardless—encouraging people to simply “come along whenever you have the time.”
Publicity Officer Karolina reminds us that all information is always posted on the FemSoc Instagram and to “not feel like you won’t fit in—we welcome everyone!” As stated previously, she has met many people from her own course who share the same views as her, and she wants other members to have an equally exciting experience within the society.
When talking about hopes for the next academic year, both committee members express their desire for the next committee to uphold the same values of intersectional feminism, raise awareness of political and gender issues on campus and beyond, and maintain a supportive and inclusive community. “We want people to know that we won’t give up without a fight!” Annabel says.
FemSoc is incredibly excited about its upcoming Spring Ball, along with the LGBTQ+, Neurodivergent and Disabled Students, and Be The Change Societies. As FemSoc continues to grow and evolve, its commitment to promoting a welcoming, inclusive community and advocating for intersectional feminism remains unwavering, ensuring that all members, regardless of their background or experience, have a place to connect, learn, and make a lasting impact on campus and beyond.
To find out more about the University of Exeter Feminist Society, please follow this link to see their page on the Exeter Student Guild Website: https://my.exeterguild.com/groups/X2KXD/feminist-society
Or check out their Instagram: http://instagram.com/exeter_femsoc/
Edited by: Veronika Parfjonova
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