Tiny acts of communicative feminism

Microfeminism, is that you?

Lately, I've really enjoyed reading about microfeminisms - the intentional, small acts to change the way we think about women in spaces and at work, especially.

Acts like putting a woman's name first when emailing a man and a woman, referring generically to CEOs as "she", or claiming the armrests when you're in the middle seat (IFKYK).

It's got me thinking about the chronic amount of micro-underestimations we often face, for no good reason than our gender.

They're not harsh enough to be microaggressions; they're not intended to be rude, but the underlying assumption most certainly is.

Why did you assume small?

Why not just ask a general question?

Here are a few examples I've experienced lately - I would love to hear yours.

❓ "What time are you speaking on the small stage?" (Reader: I spoke on the big stage.)

❓ "When are you self-publishing your book?" (Brag alert: My book deal is with Penguin Random House.)

❓ "I'm ringing you because I didn't want to bother your partner." (We both work - we are both responsible for the matter you're calling about.)

❓ "That was actually really helpful!" (I appreciate you found it helpful, but did you have to sound surprised?!)

Rephrasing these would have looked like:

💥 What time are you speaking today?

💥 Tell me more about the book you're writing?

💥 I'm ringing with a question for you

💥 Thanks so much! ;)