“Why should we get involved as activists? We’re dismissed by men, by our religious institutions, by political leaders, even by older women who don’t think we have anything new to say.” This is how a young woman at a recent forum on politics, religion, and feminism summed up the obstacles that face younger women who hope to make a difference in the world.

This young activist is the founder of a young women’s network that promotes women’s rights within her religious tradition. She models what younger women must do today: insist that our ideas matter and that we have something to contribute. We must stand up and make our voices heard.

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For the past three years, I have interviewed progressive religious women about their ideas on feminism, religion, and politics (see my books The Ties That Bind: Women’s Public Vision for Politics, Religion, and Civil Society [2005] and Called to Speak: Six Strategies That Encourage Women’s Political Activism [2006]; both published by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, Washington, D.C.). I have been both saddened and compelled by what younger women have to say.

I’ve heard sad stories about what happens when young women take up political activism and leadership, inside and outside religious contexts. I’ve heard about young women's lack of interest in women’s issues because so many believe the fight has already been won.

But I’ve also heard incredibly innovative and exciting ideas for organizing politically. In fact, we younger women may hold the key to finishing the work our foremothers started in advancing women’s issues and concerns.

The only way to make that happen, though, is for us to claim our voice and take our place in public life.

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