Meet Samantha Martin | Founder, Attorney

We had the good fortune of connecting with Samantha Martin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samantha, how does your business help the community?
The FEMISH Organization is taking the discussion of gender equality to the next level by pointing out a missing element needed to move towards truer equality. That element is valuing femininity in itself. Right now society has devalued femininity. It is why women experience so much bias and discrimination, it is why men are afraid of feminine expressions (called femmephobia). Nonbinary people experience this too based on what they present as. Feminism made it okay for women to take on “masculine” traits, which was a huge success for women, but femininity got left behind. It is a punchline, a way to mock men in power, and the more feminine someone presents as, the less safe they are and their careers are affected, in addition to bias and discrimination. Gender-policing starts when we are kids, and continues to show up for our entire lives: women should be feminine but only the “right” way and amount, Men should not be feminine at all. This also creates gender normative boxes, when really self expressions should be fluid since we all have a masculine and feminine side. We are offering advocacy, education, research and support to everyone so they can learn about this issue, self reflect, and change their behaviors and judgements, and truly love themselves for who they are: masculine & feminine. We are doing this by creating FEMISH college campus clubs, partnering with other organizations whose mission is rooted in gender-policing and femmephobia, and soon to be offering research awards for Phd and Masters students, along with early career researchers who are researching femininity related issues.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a female attorney, I experienced a lot of gender-policing and discrimination. It led me to research where I found words like femmephobia, and I spoke to other people about their experiences and I quickly realized that this is not only an issue for women, but an issue for everyone. Starting the nonprofit was scary, I had no experience in the nonprofit world and quit my law firm job to focus on it. I had several moments of imposter syndrome, but I kept connecting with amazing people, and getting opportunities to grow the organization, so I kept going. Now, 7 months later, I have speaking engagements booked internationally, college interns assisting me, and amazing collaborations done and in the works.
We are the ONLY nonprofit discussing feminine bias across all people regardless of gender or sexual orientation, and I think this unique perspective on this major issue resonates with all people.
Through this experience, I have learned to keep going, follow your passions, and that people are ready to create change.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I center my visits around food, so I’d have to do the same for a visitor since Chicago has a great food scene, even for a vegan like me. We’d hit up Wrigley Field for a game and check out Chicago Diner for amazing milkshakes and delicious comfort food,  then spend the evening at a rooftop bar enjoying the city lights and the lake view. We’d have to have a morning walk along the lake with some vietnamese coffee, the city view next to the water is so calming. And to keep with the calming vibe, head to the Art Institute to awe at artistic expression.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a Shoutout to our Board of Directors! Dr. Rhea Ashley Hoskin, who is a sociologist and professor with an expertise in feminine research, Suzanne Sabat, my sister and professional make-up artist who has donated her services to create content and whose profession revolves around empowering femininity, and Bethany White, a fellow attorney who contacted us ready to jump in and help create solutions for this exhausting issue of gender discrimination.

Website: www.femish.org

Instagram: @thefemishorg

Facebook: @thefemishorg

Image Credits
Kinda Arzon Photography Care Photos: Caroline Gherke Make-up Artist: Suzanne Sabat