ThinkHer

I had heard of Bertha Lutz before—as a women’s rights activist, a leader in Brazil’s suffragist movement, and one of the four women who signed the UN Charter in 1945, the document that officially established the United Nations. That’s how she’s usually remembered: a fierce feminist, a diplomat, someone who stood her ground at the world’s most important political tables. But what surprised me was where else her name shows up—not in laws, monuments or even street names, but in frogs and lizards!! It turns out Bertha Lutz was not only a political force, but also a trained biologist and naturalist. Before her name became tied to international diplomacy, she was studying amphibians at the Sorbonne and working as a researcher at Brazil’s National Museum. Her background in biology wasn’t a footnote—it shaped the way she thought, worked, and fought. She approached activism with the same discipline and curiosity she applied to science. I’m often struck, in conversations with fellow researchers,...

Microfeminist actions often emerge as responses to daily frictions—small slights, subtle exclusions, and invisible burdens that compound over time. Take the workplace, for instance. A recent study shows that 40% of women reported experiencing microaggressions, harassment, or both at work in the past year [1]. Paired with the unequal load of domestic responsibilities, these experiences create a constant undercurrent of inequality. For many, microfeminist acts are a way to push back against these imbalances, to claim space, and to foster dignity in places that rarely offer it freely [2].  We tried to understand why our respondents chose these acts of microfeminism, hence we asked the question "   What motivates you to do these acts ?" Made in Canva We came to realise that for many, microfeminist acts arise from a deep frustration with how society continues to downplay women's authority, intelligence, and autonomy.   “It’s normalized for men to give their opinions ...

I first came across the term microfeminism while scrolling through Instagram reels. Microfeminism is all about the subtle, everyday choices we make that push back against ingrained gender biases and create more equitable spaces [1]. These acts may appear small—inviting women to speak first in meetings, or confidently taking space in public—but they carry the weight of intention and resistance. Change doesn’t always have to be loud or sweeping; often, it begins with these quiet but deliberate gestures. Made in Canva Though the word microfeminism has gained traction only recently (especially online), the concept—and even the term itself—has roots that go back much further. In a 1998 article from the book 'Wired-Up', academic Sue Turnbull explored how her students responded to everyday feminist practices [2]. Rather than aligning with broad, unified political frameworks, they were drawn to more grounded, personal actions that addressed gender dynamics in daily life. Turnbull noted...

I recently attended a Richard Bona concert with my partner, who is an avid fan. The performance was incredible, and afterward, Bona was signing t-shirts outside the hall. My partner, eager to meet him, rushed to the front of the line but froze in awe when it was finally his turn. As he hesitated, others—mainly women and Black men—pushed past him to get their moment with the musician. I pushed him forward, determined not to let him miss his chance. This moment made me reflect on why some people push through while others wait. I realized that those who wait often do so because they are accustomed to receiving opportunities without having to assert themselves—a privilege not everyone shares. Meanwhile, others (except the entitled opportunists) must push their way through to claim their chances. I am someone who pushes through crowded spaces, demands action, speaks up, and insists on being heard. I get irritated when asked to be softer or quieter, and I wonder if this assertiveness stems f...