"MANIFESTA" Authors Discuss "Third Wave Feminism" in Lawrence University Forum

APPLETON, WIS. -- Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards, co-authors of the recently released book, "MANIFESTA: Young Women, Feminism, and the Future," discuss the expectations and responsibilities of the latest generation of feminism -- "the third wave" as they call it -- in a Gender Studies Forum at Lawrence University.

Baumgardner and Richards present, "Feminism's Third Wave," a look at the young women who have grown up with the ideas of feminism but who are still trying to define what it means for them, Monday, April 23 at 7 p.m. in Lawrence's Wriston Art Center auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

Both born in the 1970s, Baumgardner and Richards first met while working together at Ms. magazine, where they experienced what they felt was a "generation gap" in the women's movement. Looking to bridge that gap, the two collaborated on "Manifesta," encouraging young women to embrace both "girlie culture" and political activism.

A 1992 Lawrence University graduate, Baumgardner writes about politics and culture for numerous national magazines, including Glamour, Marie Claire, Mademoiselle, and Z and has written speeches for women ranging from former national Planned Parenthood President Faye Wattleton to Marlo Thomas. In addition to her writing, she organizes free political events such as abortion history teach-ins and parties for equal pay and has appeared on "She-Span," the Oxygen network's political roundtable.

Richards is co-founder of the Third Wave Foundation, the only national activist organization for woman between the ages of16 and 30, the voice behind "Ask Amy." She is a contributing editor to Ms. magazine and also writes for The Nation and Bust magazines. She was named one of Ms. magazine's "21 Young Leaders for the 21st Century."