The story behind Feminist United’s “Careers Have No Gender” campaign

Through the posters displayed throughout the school, Feminist United spent last week challenging gender roles in professional careers. The goal of Feminists United’s new campaign, “Careers Have No Genders,” is to break down this self-imposed barrier for both genders.

“It goes both ways as well; it also helps guys, if a guy wants to pursue a career that other guys see as ‘girly’,” Olive Lardner ’17, Feminists United president said.

Poster design by Olive Lardner (Photo courtesy of Amanda Mills)

The posters that can be seen in the halls contain an equal number of male
and female themed posters, according to Lardner.

“There’s a lot of tension (with gender stereotypes in career paths) and we wanted to kinda break it,” Vice President Cassie Valice ’17 said

Careers shown in these posters include, but are not limited to, firemen and women, police officers and figure skaters.

This campaign, for the time being, will be confined to the posters and the videos on the announcements, but the group hasn’t ruled out future endeavors, Lardner said. Lardner also added that they are taking it slow.

Lardner said the campaign is not to encourage or discourage anyone in particular, but rather show the opportunities and possibilities for anyone who was questioning the validity of their passion.

According to Lardner, getting the permission to do these things has been easy and well understood by South’s administration.

Gender shouldn’t determine what you’re going to do for the rest of your life.

— Olive Lardner '17, President of Feminist United

 

“Gender roles shouldn’t determine what you’re going to do for the rest of your life,” Lardner said. “High school is the time where people start to decide what they want to do for the rest of their lives. And it’s important to convey one last time before they go to college, that its up to them, no one else. Stereotypes shouldn’t determine a field to pursue.”