Articles by Catherine Redfern
Jonathan Dean: Rethinking contemporary feminist politics
Jonathan Dean's recent academic book Rethinking Contemporary Feminist Politics analyses the state of contemporary feminism in the UK, and uses The F-Word as a case study. Catherine Redfern invited him to explain more about his findings
Catherine Redfern // 29 September 2010
Categories: Feminism, Interviews
Empowering just one person: An interview with Zoe Margolis
The outspoken feminist and author of Girl With a One Track Mind and Girl With a One Track Mind: Exposed spoke to Catherine Redfern about feminism, sex, activism and writing
Catherine Redfern // 16 September 2010
Categories: Activism, Features, Feminism, Interviews, Sex and Relationships
Women's Liberation Movement @ 40 - Reflections
Catherine Redfern gives some personal reflections on the Women's Liberation Movement @ 40 conference
Catherine Redfern // 18 March 2010
Sex and the City the movie: Having your (wedding) cake and eating it
The Sex and the City movie makes for a disappointing postscript to the more subversive TV series, argues Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 5 June 2008
Categories: Films
Peaches - Impeach My Bush
Peaches' latest electro-punk album is both explicit and explicitly feminist. Catherine Redfern reviews Impeach My Bush
Catherine Redfern // 1 September 2007
Categories: Music
Comments from February 2007
Comments made by you, the readers, during the month of February
Catherine Redfern // 5 March 2007
Categories: Comments
Comments from January 2007
Comments from lovely readers received in January.
Catherine Redfern // 10 February 2007
Categories: Comments
Girl With a One Track Mind - Abby Lee
Abby Lee's diary has become a best seller due to the frank, humorous, and explicit descriptions of her sex life in London. Catherine Redfern considers some of the feminist implications of this popular blogger's book.
Catherine Redfern // 6 January 2007
Categories: Books
Subtext Magazine
Subtext is a new British feminist magazine coming out of the feminist blogging community. Catherine Redfern gives the low-down on its style and substance.
Catherine Redfern // 13 August 2006
Categories: Magazines
Verge Magazine
A new glossy British feminist magazine? Could it possibly be true? Yes indeed! Catherine Redfern checks out the first issue.
Catherine Redfern // 2 July 2006
Categories: Magazines
Sex and The Married Girl
Mandi Norwood claims to have discovered a new type of woman: The Married Girl, an empowered, assertive specimen who is revolutionising marriage on her own terms and insisting on being treated as an equal parter. Sounds like a feminist dream come true; so why does Catherine Redfern find this book so annoying?
Catherine Redfern // 1 April 2006
Categories: Books
Ordinary Ads, Everyday Images
Catherine Redfern takes her camera out and about in London to analyse the imagery shown in ordinary adverts. Do the representations of men and women differ? And if so, how?
Catherine Redfern // 28 November 2005
Categories: Culture and Media
Comments from November 2004
Tons of debate, disagreements, and very interesting comments this month.
Catherine Redfern // 5 November 2004
Categories: Comments
Important note for all readers
Did you send in a message, comment, or email subscription request between July and September? If so, please read this important message.
Catherine Redfern // 19 September 2004
Categories: Feminism
Comments from August 2004
Pretty quiet this month - I guess everyone is on holiday.
Catherine Redfern // 12 August 2004
Categories: Comments
Comments from July 2004
Handbags, FAM and no negative comments? It has been another bursting inbox...
Catherine Redfern // 5 July 2004
Categories: Comments
Comments from April - June 2004
You want an example of the diversity in feminism? Then keep reading...
Catherine Redfern // 14 June 2004
Categories: Comments
Taking Charge of Your Fertility
'Taking Charge of Your Fertility' contains empowering practical information for every woman, whether avoiding pregnancy or seeking it. It is the logical follow-on from the classic 'Our Bodies, Ourselves' and is just as ground-breaking, says Catherine Redfern.
Catherine Redfern // 1 June 2004
Categories: Books
Refusing to Be a Man
Why is 'girl' a terrible insult, why can't boys wear pink, and why are there boxes of tissues labelled 'for men'? Catherine Redfern explains how 'Refusing to be a Man' by John Stoltenberg may hold the answer.
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2004
Categories: Books
Comments from January - March 2004
More comments!
Catherine Redfern // 14 March 2004
Categories: Comments
Comments from August - December 2003
More comments from late 2003
Catherine Redfern // 14 December 2003
Categories: Comments
'Feminists are Sexist'
Should feminists have to spend exactly half their time, energy, and resources working on behalf of men to be taken seriously? Catherine Redfern thinks not.
Catherine Redfern // 19 September 2003
Comments from April 2003 - July 2003
Comments and feedback from 2003.
Catherine Redfern // 14 July 2003
Categories: Comments
The F-Word: Contemporary UK Feminism
The F-Word is changing from "young" to "contemporary". Catherine Redfern explains why.
Catherine Redfern // 16 June 2003
Categories: Feminism
Moon Mammas: fleece menstrual pads
Washable fleece pads.
Catherine Redfern // 18 May 2003
Categories: Products
Is this website discriminating? Responses
Is this website discriminating against older feminists?
Catherine Redfern // 16 March 2003
Categories: Feminism
Ka-ching, bling bling, ching ching - women sing about money
What are female pop stars saying about money?
Catherine Redfern // 15 March 2003
Categories: Music
Comments from November 2002 - March 2003
Comments from 2002 and 2003
Catherine Redfern // 14 March 2003
Categories: Comments
You're a 44-year old man: the Michael Jackson Interview
Catherine Redfern argues that the Michael Jackson interview raises questions about what is considered "normal" behaviour for men and women.
Catherine Redfern // 16 February 2003
Categories: Television
I Love The 70s
Catherine Redfern loves the 70s, but argues that we should feel more hopeful and confident about feminism as it is today.
Catherine Redfern // 16 October 2002
Categories: Feminism
Comments from March 2001 - October 2002
Comments from 2001 and 2002.
Catherine Redfern // 14 October 2002
Categories: Comments
A Third Wave?
Is there such thing as a "Third Wave" of feminism? What are the differences between the feminism of the new generation and that of the Second Wave? Can we make our own revolution in the shadow of those who preceeded us? And why do young women feel so isolated as feminists?
Catherine Redfern // 16 September 2002
Categories: Feminism, Soundbites
Feminist Discussion and Action Group
I was really intrigued when I read about the Bradford feminist discussion and action group in Marion's zine 'Who's That Bitch?' earlier this year. Although the group no longer exists, Marion, Julia, Sally and Judith, all members, agreed to share with The F-Word some more information about it.
Catherine Redfern // 16 August 2002
Categories: Activism, Interviews
Return of the zines
Oh yes, oh yes, more fantastic self-published zines for ya!
Catherine Redfern // 16 July 2002
Categories: Magazines
Ms Dynamite - It Takes More
If you're sick and tired of endless misogynistic Gangster rap, it seems you're not alone. Ms.Dynamite is a 21 year-old...
Catherine Redfern // 15 July 2002
Categories: Music
News roundup for July 2002
Compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 15 July 2002
Categories: News
Inappropriate Behaviour: Prada Sucks! and other Demented Descants
Catherine Redfern asks whether this eyebrow-raising new book is really feminist.
Catherine Redfern // 16 June 2002
Categories: Books
News roundup for June 2002
Compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 15 June 2002
Categories: News
Not for Girls? The Yorkie and Echo Adverts
Catherine Redfern looks at the crazy world of chocolate advertising.
Catherine Redfern // 16 May 2002
Categories: Television
Cooks and Campaigners
Catherine Redfern visits the exhibition in the new Women's Library in London.
Catherine Redfern // 16 May 2002
Categories: Events
News roundup for May 2002
A round up of the months news, compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 16 May 2002
Categories: News
Zine Reviews - the sequel
More of those funky pro-woman, pro-grrrl zines reviewed.
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2002
Categories: Magazines
Fighting Back: self defence for women and girls
The creator of the fantastic Morgenmuffel zine, Isy, has created an excellent self-defence leaflet aimed at women and girls. The A5 leaflet is all hand-drawn and contains simple and useful guidance. I thought it was so great I had to share it with more people! Isy is anti-copyright so anyone is welcome to print and photocopy it to spread the word.
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2002
Categories: Violence
News roundup for April 2002
A round up of the months news, compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2002
Categories: News
The Spice Girls
The 'fab' five?
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2002
Categories: Culture and Media, Soundbites
The Freedom Trashcan 2002
We chuck loads of stuff into the trashcan.
Catherine Redfern // 16 March 2002
Categories: Feminism
Happy Birthday to Us!
A quick comment on our one-year anniversary, yippee!
Catherine Redfern // 16 March 2002
Categories: Feminism
News roundup for March 2002
A round up of the months news, compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 16 March 2002
Categories: News
The Biological Clock
Catherine Redfern wonders what would convince her to ever have kids.
Catherine Redfern // 16 February 2002
Categories: Body and Health
News roundup for February 2002
A round up of the months news, compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 16 February 2002
Categories: News
Jar Openers
How to fight patriarchy with a small rubber circle...
Catherine Redfern // 16 January 2002
Categories: Products
Interview with Natasha Walter
Natasha Walter is the author of "The New Feminism (1998)" and edited the collection "On the Move: feminism for a new generation (1999)". She is a regular columnist for The Independent, has worked at Vogue and The Guardian, and has appeared on BBC 2's Newsnight Review. Interview by Catherine Redfern.
Catherine Redfern // 16 January 2002
Categories: Interviews
First episode of Star Trek: Enterprise
Catherine Redfern comments on the first episode of the new Star Trek series.
Catherine Redfern // 16 January 2002
Categories: Television
News roundup for January 2002
A round up of the months news, compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 16 January 2002
Categories: News
Pornography
Rearrange the words "worms", "can", and "of" into a well known phrase or saying...
Catherine Redfern // 16 January 2002
Categories: Sex and Relationships, Soundbites
Rebranding Feminism
How we can tackle the negative image of feminism among many women? How can we re-brand feminism to make it more attractive to a new generation? These were some of the issues being discussed at a meeting entitled Rebranding Feminism held at the ICA in November. Catherine Redfern reports from the event.
Catherine Redfern // 16 December 2001
Categories: Feminism
Is this website discriminating?
Is this website discriminating against older feminists?
Catherine Redfern // 16 December 2001
Categories: Feminism
Chica
Catherine Redfern reviews Chica magazine.
Catherine Redfern // 16 December 2001
Categories: Magazines
News roundup for December 2001
A round up of the months news, compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 16 December 2001
Categories: News
Confessions of a Failed Fashionista
I know what I should be. Don't we all? You only have to look around you at the magazines or watch TV. What should I be? I should know the difference between Versace and Louis Vuitton; between Prada and Paul Smith. Shopping for clothes should fill me with orgasmic delight. I should come home staggering down the street in strappy heels clutching hundreds of designer bags...
Catherine Redfern // 16 November 2001
Categories: Fashion and Image
Bitch
"I really wanted to like this book, but even a few pages in, I knew I wasn't going to enjoy it... " Catherine Redfern forces herself to read...
Catherine Redfern // 16 November 2001
Categories: Books
News roundup for November 2001
A round up of the months news, compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 16 November 2001
Categories: News
Enough with the pendulum!
There are two phrases guaranteed to make me cringe. One of them is anything involving the pendulum; you know the one that's always "swung too far the other way"?
Catherine Redfern // 16 October 2001
News roundup for October 2001
A round up of the months news, compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 16 October 2001
Categories: News
News roundup for September 2001
A round up of the months news, compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 21 September 2001
Categories: News
'Just call me Bob.'
The 1975 Mandy Annual was about as subtle as a sledge hammer in its attempt to stop young girls becoming feminists. The resulting portrayal of a 'women's libber' has got to be seen to be believed.
Catherine Redfern // 16 August 2001
Categories: Culture and Media
Letters
A simple example of what you can do with a pen, some paper, and envelope and a stamp. Catherine Redfern gets scribbling.
Catherine Redfern // 16 August 2001
Categories: Activism, Culture and Media
Bitch
Catherine Redfern tracks down the magazine that provides the feminist response to pop culture
Catherine Redfern // 16 August 2001
Categories: Magazines
Trouble and Strife
The radical feminist magazine gets the review treatment.
Catherine Redfern // 16 August 2001
Categories: Magazines
Eve's Back
Manchester women's networking magazine, reviewed by Catherine Redfern.
Catherine Redfern // 16 August 2001
Categories: Magazines
The First Fifty: Munro-Bagging Without a Beard
Catherine Redfern goes munro-bagging.
Catherine Redfern // 16 August 2001
Categories: Books
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher - Was she good for feminism?
Catherine Redfern // 16 August 2001
Categories: Politics and Current Affairs, Soundbites
News roundup for August 2001
A round up of the months news, compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 1 August 2001
Categories: News
Why Irma Kurtz is wrong about rape
In the June 2001 issue of British Cosmopolitan, the agony aunt Irma Kurtz replied to a reader's letter about rape. I think Irma's advice was irresponsible, insensitive, and re-iterates all the old myths about rape that we have tried so hard to break down over 30 years of feminism.
Catherine Redfern // 13 July 2001
Categories: Culture and Media, Sex and Relationships, Violence
Lil-lets Heatsoother for Period Pain
How do these self-heating stick-on thingumajigs compare to the good old hot water bottle? Reviewed by Catherine Redfern.
Catherine Redfern // 13 July 2001
Categories: Products
News roundup for July 2001
A round up of the months news, compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 13 July 2001
Categories: News
Nova
Catherine Redfern reviews the now defunct Nova magazine.
Catherine Redfern // 16 June 2001
Categories: Magazines
AMPminizine
Catherine Redfern reviews Amp minizine.
Catherine Redfern // 16 June 2001
Categories: Magazines
Election 2001
They seek her here, they seek her there. At last, the election is over. But where, oh where were the women?
Catherine Redfern // 16 June 2001
Categories: Politics and Current Affairs
Fawcett briefing on women and voting
This article is taken from a Fawcett Society briefing on women and voting reform.
Catherine Redfern // 16 June 2001
Categories: Politics and Current Affairs
The British Woman Today: a qualitative survey of the images in women's magazines
Catherine Redfern was not impressed...
Catherine Redfern // 16 June 2001
Categories: Books
In Our Time: Memoir of a Revolution
Reviewed by Catherine Redfern.
Catherine Redfern // 16 June 2001
Categories: Books
Misogynies
Catherine Redfern reviews Joan Smith's book.
Catherine Redfern // 16 June 2001
Categories: Books
News roundup for June 2001
A round up of the months news, compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 16 June 2001
Categories: News
The Signs of Ageing
Wrinkles? Come and have a go, if you think you're hard enough. Go on then, crows-feet, you don't scare me! I laugh at you! Ha ha ha! Grey? Grey? It's silver, you imbecile. Yes, you too can have this attitude to ageing. Just follow our three step plan, click here. By Catherine Redfern.
Catherine Redfern // 13 June 2001
Categories: Body and Health, Fashion and Image
Pick 'n' Mix Feminism
So many viewpoints, so many arguments! I think I'll just pick 'n' mix. Catherine Redfern shows just how indecisive she really is.
Catherine Redfern // 16 May 2001
Categories: Feminism
Equality Quiz
So, we're equal now are we? No need for feminism anymore? You sure? Well, find out how equal men and women are by playing this quiz and see how clued up you are.
Catherine Redfern // 16 May 2001
Categories: Feminism
The Gilrlfrenzy Millenial
The Gilrlfrenzy Millenial, reviewed by Catherine Redfern.
Catherine Redfern // 16 May 2001
Categories: Books
The Curse
Catherine Redfern reviews the The Curse by Karen Houppert
Catherine Redfern // 16 May 2001
Categories: Books
The Vagina Monologues
Catherine Redfern watches the famous play.
Catherine Redfern // 16 May 2001
Categories: Events
Curvaceous
Catherine Redfern visits the Curvaceous exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Musuem.
Catherine Redfern // 16 May 2001
Categories: Events
News roundup for May 2001
A round up of the months news, compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 16 May 2001
Categories: News
The Personal is (or) isn't political (or is it?)
During the 'second-wave' of feminism in the 1960's-70's, the idea developed that 'the personal is political': i.e. that every part of our personal lives could be affected by the political situation. More recently, some have argued that this idea has given feminism a bad name and has caused feminists to focus on the wrong issues. So who's right?
Catherine Redfern // 16 May 2001
Categories: Feminism, Soundbites
'The Eminem defence'?
Eminem's recent and highly publicised visit to the UK promoted a storm of debate and discussion. Were his homophobic, misogynist lyrics offensive, or not? Some claimed he was simply being ironic. So does irony mean we can't be offended?
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2001
Categories: Culture and Media
Teenagers and Cosmetic Surgery
Why are more and more young women opting for breast implants? Catherine Redfern offers an explanation.
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2001
Categories: Body and Health, Culture and Media, Fashion and Image
Hardcore
Porn is cool, isn't it? It's just a little harmless fun, yeah?
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2001
Categories: Television
Overloaded : Popular culture and the future of feminism
Imelda Whelehan's critique of British popular culture, reviewed by Catherine Redfern.
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2001
Categories: Books
Where The Girls Are
Catherine Redfern reviews Susan J. Douglas's book.
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2001
Categories: Books
News roundup for April 2001
A round up of the months news, compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2001
Categories: News
The Beauty Myth
Are we exploited by the cosmetics industry?
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2001
Categories: Fashion and Image, Soundbites
BUST
This is how a woman's magazine should be, says Catherine Redfern.
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2001
Categories: Magazines
Ms.
The most famous feminist magazine from the US gets reviewed by Catherine Redfern.
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2001
Categories: Magazines
The Morning After
In January Baroness Young tried to stop emergency contraception being sold over the counter in chemists. Here's why the House of Lords were right to reject her arguments, says Catherine Redfern.
Catherine Redfern // 18 March 2001
Categories: Body and Health, Sex and Relationships
How To Create a Woman's Glossy Magazine in Five Minutes
I've been addicted to magazines since my teenage years, but they are just so, so frustratingly predictable! I reckon you could cobble one together very easily in five minutes, and here's how.
Catherine Redfern // 18 March 2001
Categories: Culture and Media
News roundup for March 2001
A round up of the months news, compiled by Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 18 March 2001
Categories: News
As If
Does this show have the coolest woman on British TV right now?
Catherine Redfern // 16 March 2001
Categories: Television
Boy Meets Girl
Serious documentary or just an excuse to see men in bras?
Catherine Redfern // 16 March 2001
Categories: Television
I'm not a feminist, but...
What the movers and shakers think feminism is all about.
Catherine Redfern // 16 March 2001
Categories: Feminism, Soundbites
