Kimberlé Crenshaw is one of the most influential feminists in the US.
Crenshaw cemented the concept of ‘intersectionality’, which has revolutionized fourth-wave feminism.
Crenshaw, a lawyer, human rights activist, and scholar, noted the ‘overlapping’ of multiple forms of discrimination, such as sexism and racism. This intersectionality has created distinctive experiences that have been overlooked by previous social movements.
Understanding the experience of women of color is a necessity in modern feminism. Failing to recognize the impacts of multiple forms of discrimination has left too many women vulnerable to harassment and abuse.
Today, over 30 years after Crenshaw initially defined ‘intersectionality’, the concept is used by activists in
justice and legal settings. Intersectionality theory is also used in HR training by some of the world’s largest corporations. Educating workers on a corporate level about critical race theory is an incredibly important step in empowering women who continue to experience intersectional discrimination.
iSAW Sharp Summary: Raffaela Smith, a student at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
iSAW, international Strategic Accelerator for Women
