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An Amazing Career on the Feminist Frontlines
How Jill Filipovic ended up as the Senior Political Writer for Cosmopolitan magazine.
It was a downpour in New York City that morning. Giant wet drops of monsoon-like rain, coating the concrete runways of the city, leaving Fashion Week more damp and frizzy than poised and refined. Hearst Tower erupts from the corner of 57th and 8th, diamond cut and regal against the signature skyline. The home of such publishing powerhouses as Cosmopolitan, Elle, O, and Bazaar, there is no slowing down due to rain.
In the building’s cafeteria, the rain is pattering against the thousands of glass panels. Steel support beams reach for the heavens, gleaming in the artificial light. Men and women in suits more expensive that most of the city’s rent prices make their way to the Starbucks-stocked cafeteria. Jill Filipovic takes a sip of her tea and laughs. “I guess coming into work isn’t so bad when there are shirtless male models there to greet you.” She laughs again.
Filipovic is candid, like the older sister you never had, who you wished had told you that dating that guy who had a dragon tattoo on his back wasn’t the best idea. The cool older sister that you went to at age thirteen because you had no clue about sex and you know she’ll be real with you. She’s genuine, and her tone of voice reassures you that if she didn’t believe what she was saying, she wouldn’t have told you. You never have to worry that what she’s telling you is simply to hear herself talk; in all things, she finds a poignant idea to mention, that you never knew you needed to learn about until just then.
Max Borghard
What a great article and Jill is such an inspiring writer! My favorite part was getting women out to vote and how she provided all the information on the candidates to make women a more informed voter!!!! Cristiana and Jill thank you for all that you write!!!!
Paakhi Bhatnagar
This is a very inspirational interview and she is so amazing!
Jessica Carlson
There has always been a bad connotation on the word “feminist”. Most people think that it’s too much of a leftist terminology that has spawned radical movements. Thus, not a lot of people, even those who advocate for gender equality and women empowerment, identify themselves as “feminist”. But they actually are.
Feminism is the very thought or act of fighting for the voice of the women who are marginalized, because of our paternalistic society, to be heard. It is the act of ensuring that women can vote, can go to school, have equal opportunity at work. It is when we ensure that the laws of the land gives both sides of the sexes an equal footing and the same treatment.
So regardless of our sex, gender, orientation, classes, or social status, for as long as we are one those who ensure that none of our mothers, sisters, aunts, girlfriends, female teachers and just about every female in the face of the earth are maligned, abused, discriminated and marginalized, then we are feminists. As Malala Yousafzai had recently stated in an interview with her by another young feminist Emma Watson, feminism is equality. There is nothing about the term nor its meaning that says otherwise.
Grace Stirling
wow! that is one long interview 😀 .I didn’t get tired of reading her story. Her story is so inspiring and i love her because she also value equality. she’s beautiful, smart and any girl who’ll read this will surely get motivated. two thumbs up for her and i hope she’ll still inspire a lot of women.
Ashley Moore
Her experiences in life are very inspirational and i am happy that she have found what she wants in life and she’s proud of it.She’s right, take a risk and try what you are afraid of because that is also the time when you’ll realized what direction what you are interested in taking your life .One must not be afraid of being spontaneous and let it happen.You are the only one who will know what you really want your life to be and there is no reason you would not follow your heart and to not regret in not doing it. To go out, get outside and do something with other people, move, explore and see the world.
Arabella Clarington
I agree with Jill when she said that the general public would hardly (or not at all) take you as a professional writer when you work or write for Cosmo. There’s really a need to eliminate double standards on women’s magazine.
I commend the success of “Cosmo Votes.” The society needs “more Jill.”
Courtney Watson
Her story is motivating! Indeed, she is independent, fearless and victorious woman! I really hope more women to be like her 🙂
Brana Dane
This article about Jill Filipovic is really encouraging! She is a living evidence that it is “possible” to recognize the equality and full humanity of men and women!
Barbara Duerrer
I have this view on feminism: “Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength. — G.D. Anderson”
Jill is a proof that women are strong and that we stand to what we believe is right!
Lissie Maurus
She is amazing! Her story is really motivating and uplifting my spirit 🙂