Françoise Girard: Feminism, Activism, and the Power of Storytelling

Françoise Girard is an activist and founder of Feminism Makes Us Smarter. We discuss Francois' journey from studying law in Montreal to becoming a feminist activist in New York. Francois shares experiences from her work with the Open Society Institute and the International Women's Health Coalition, elaborating on the critical role of grassroots feminist movements in effecting societal change. “Taking a feminist, intersectional lens helps us understand the world better. You can see trends before the regular commentators do.”The conversation touches on misconceptions about feminism, the interconnected nature of various justice movements, and the importance of long-term, flexible support from philanthropists. “If you want to track the health of a democracy, look at what’s happening to women’s rights. They’re the early warning system.”Francois also highlights the power of storytelling in activism and reveals her creative process behind her writing. “When we walk out of a play, we’re more in touch with our feelings. That’s how movements grow — through stories and emotion, not just policy.”“Each of us won’t solve it all, but if we all do something — even something small — that’s how things move. That’s what gives me hope.”The discussion concludes with insights into successful campaigns, including the decriminalization of abortion in Ireland, and practical advice for individual contributions to social change.Links and 00:18 Francois' Journey to Activism01:50 Working with International Organizations03:39 Founding Feminism Makes Us Smarter04:54 Understanding Modern Feminism05:41 Intersectionality and Feminism10:35 Theories of Change in Activism22:54 Challenges and Learnings in Feminist Movements31:45 The Role of Art and Opera in Life32:17 The Power of Storytelling36:14 Creative Processes and Writing41:51 Successful Movements and Campaigns49:41 Current Projects and Future Plans54:38 Final Thoughts and Advice