In plain talk about her own rape in eight grade and her later abortion while at Barnard College, 31-year-old author Amy Richards drew in close to 100 listeners on Nov. 3 at Meyerson Hall.
"Feminism is a win-win situation," Richards said. "It is not about anyone giving up power, it's about everyone gaining it."
During the Penn-sponsored event, Richards and 30-year-old Jennifer Baumgardner, co-authors of Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism and the Future, lectured for an hour before opening the floor up to questions.
Scheduled in conjunction with the Eastern Regional Leadership Summit of Planned Parenthood, Planned Parenthood members from Florida to New Jersey attended the session.
When women's rights ranked high on intra-organization surveys conducted by the Penn Democrats, the group sought Planned Parenthood's help.
Gloria Feldt, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood, kicked off the evening with a brief speech.
"You will write the next chapter in the fight for reproductive rights," she told the audience. "It is an awesome opportunity."
Richard and Baumgardner first alternated in reading a selection from Manifesta, before proceeding on to their personal stories of rape, abortion and body image.
"Feminism is not owned by another generation, race or class," Baumgardner said. "It belongs to all of you."
The women received mixed responses from spectators.
"Jennifer and Amy really speak to the young women of today, " College freshman Amanda Nordstrom said. "They have an accessible way of discussing ideas I care about."
But Katie Irvin, a College sophomore was not so complimentary.
"The lecture was alright," said Irvin. "It confirmed a lot of what I already learned in my introductory women's studies class last year."
Women of various ages and ethnicities attended, though only a handful of men took seats in the auditorium.
To conclude the evening, both authors signed copies of Manifesta -- on sale outside the lecture hall.
Richards gave an underlying message about feminism before leaving.
"At the end of the day, it is about being a decent human being," Richards said. "Legal change is really only the starting point. What needs to accompany it is a change in our consciousness."
The Penn Democrats, Penn ACLU, Penn for Choice, Penn Women's Center and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania co-sponsored the event.
This story appeared exclusively at dailypennsylvanian.com.
