Welcome to fem&m.

We are a literary and visual arts magazine that supports the creative work of women and gender minorities. We welcome all different types of styles and encourage participation of diverse voices.

This does not mean that you cannot enjoy what we create if you do not identify as a woman or gender minority. Please take the time to read and look through what we publish; educate yourself and become an ally!

We believe that creative spaces are vital for members of marginalized communities. They can become sacred, special spaces that foster healthy and powerful ways to communicate experiences that are beautiful, ugly, transformative— and more.

FEM&M is that space.

We welcome your art and power.

Things we do not welcome: racism, misogyny, gender discrimination, religious discrimination, or hatred of ANY kind. In fact, we actively dissent from these.

Thank you for becoming a member of our community.

With love,

the FEM&M Editors

A Quick Q&A with Salina AlmAnzar, one of the original founders of Fem&m.

1) What inspired you to create FEM&M?

“I can't take credit for creating FEM&M but I am proud of being part of the it's inception. Deirdre Roche '13 and several other Writers House regulars were inspired to do it and I stepped in to offer my graphic design and arts. We were thinking a lot about the publications that already existed and the ways that they did or did not represent us as a student body and community. At the time there were many publications: I was editor in chief and graphics editor of The College Dispatch, there was Plume, Epilogue, Prologue, Badaboom, and others that all seemed to have their niche. And we were in print! I think this is something that was critical for FEM&M because having all of these publications in print meant that in some small way we were taking up space. Most of the folks that ran the publications identified as women and were really involved in the Women's Center so it felt really natural to move into creating a publication that elevated and preserved women's voices on campus.”

2) How, if in any way, does the creation of this publication impact your life today?

“I think my involvement in both FEM&M and The College Dispatch were instrumental to my commitment to speaking up and passing the mic. Indie publications are amazing platforms and to be able to build one from scratch and then invite folks to share their words is something I deeply value. I think this spirit is reflected in my work as a community based artist in Lancaster City. I'm constantly thinking about my experience in publications and with the Writer's House. I think being a part of both communities really shaped my intentions and vision for what solid community building looks like. I never felt censored or ashamed of expressing how I felt about big issues. I started writing about my experience as a Latina through College Dispatch and FEM&M allowed me to create artwork that communicated an explicit feminist agenda. In retrospect and with more education, I think there were things we could have been better at like not participating in the idea that womanhood is biological or feminism is only for cis-women, but we were trying and I don't think I would be as willing to self-educate without that first experience in trying, failing, learning, and trying again without our publications.”

3) What is your advice to women and gender minorities who are navigating F&M today?

“I think finding and defining what community means to as an individual is the first step to owning the experience. I think there's a lot of power and beauty that exists in the margins. bell hooks is someone I've always looked up to and their perspective on the power of marginality transformed how I felt about being in the minority during my time at F&M. I also think there is power in choosing how to define yourself and knowing there's a tremendous amount of fluidity within self-actualization is liberating. We often hear folks shame or avoid labels, but I think labeling yourself can be beneficial. It give you a language to articulate who you are and how you want to be in community. The key is that you can always change a label, add more, or toss it when it doesn't fit anymore. Labels that you choose and are used by others with your consent aren't bad.”

4) What is your definition of 'feminism?'

“I define feminism as a return to a matriarchal, equitable, liberation-focused community. I am also specific about my definition of feminism being focused in Anti-White supremacist liberation meaning my feminism is rooted in the liberation of non-white folks and is not defined by the myth of biological femininity. It is for all of us who are over the patriarchy, over white-supremacy, and over capitalism. It's a movement that values softness, feeling deeply, and connecting with others for the good of our minds, bodies, and communities. It's messy and pulsating. It's amoebic and fluid.”