Meet the writers

Beth Newell and Sarah Pappalardo talk feminism, running in heels and being a woman in the Trump era. They think we’re still burning bras or something, when in reality, I never owned a bra to begin with. But I guess feminism does need a facelift in a way. The ‘Is it feminist?’ chart in the book lists all sorts of things, including books, movies and ‘fatfree popcorn’. So here’s a cultural question: Is Bryce Dallas Howard keeping her heels on throughout Jurassic World feminist or not? Sarah Heels are, at least in our book, the most feminist thing you can wear because they’re so empowering. Beth It’s all relative to what you think the state of the world is right now. Sarah If you want to wear a bikini in the apocalypse, just do you! Beth If I had a dinosaur chasing me, I might take off the heels. Sarah Yeah, but that’s just your opinion. Beth I guess I’m just not feminist enough. What does Donald Trump’s presidency mean for women? Beth We were very upset that he won the election, but I think everyone in our community is more determined than ever to fight this force of hate. Sarah I think we’re seeing a trend in the world that’s leaning towards xenophobia, isolationism and nationalism. It’s scary beyond the US and Donald Trump is just one part of it all. I hope that 20 years from now we’ll be like, “Boy, that was a weird blip on the radar and I’m glad we’re not there anymore.”