In a time and place where expressions of personal opinion are taken as an invitation for discourse, safe and regulated discussion outlets are becoming increasingly necessary. For young progressive-leaning and community-oriented thinkers in the region, the Young Feminist Meetup provides such an outlet.

The Young Feminist Meetup is a discussion group affiliated with West KY NOW, the regional chapter of the National Organization for Women. The group’s second meeting was held on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Sweetdots in Murray. The meeting primarily consisted of unguided, open conversation among the group, but Young Feminist organizers Sam Sexton and Reagan Peery began the meeting with a handout of get-to-know-you conversation starter questions. 

The first question asked what feminism meant to each person. Sexton said feminism is about a desire for belonging in an environment where you don’t feel wanted.

“That’s what it means to me, truly and honestly, especially in today’s age,” she said. “It’s hard to have an opinion in a place where it’s not wanted or asked for. Trying to fight and get that is tooth and nail, but it’s needed nowadays.”

Peery said for her, feminism is about a sense of community.

“It’s about being able to sit with that community and appreciate that there are other people … who are like-minded and share the same moral values as you,” she said. “There’s a lot of negativity, and it’s really easy to get lost in that.”

Sexton and Peery said Young Feminists Meetup is a result of West KY NOW’s desire to reach a younger demographic that is relatively absent in the organization. 

“We really like hearing perspectives from all generations,” Peery said. “I think it’s so important for everybody to be able to express their own opinions no matter the opinion. It tends to be, nowadays, that one side tends to be a little more silenced than the other in Kentucky.”

Christine Lindner, chapter president of West KY NOW, said the Young Feminist Meetups are part of her organization’s continued efforts to build a multi-generational community in western Kentucky where people feel safe to express their thoughts and be their authentic selves.

“The Young Feminist Meetup was one of Sam and Reagan’s first ideas as a way to create an opportunity for other feminist under 35 to gather together, share stories and build community,” Lindner said. “It is hard to be a young adult, especially when you feel isolated due to your beliefs and identity, so finding community outside of work and school is an important way to develop a healthy support system.”

Sexton said there is not a set date for the next Young Feminist Meetup, but they intend to have monthly meetings and branch out into regional communities including Benton, Murray, Paducah and Mayfield.

“Since (Young Feminist Meetups) are freshly new, the budget’s kind of small,” she said. “We’re working with what we’ve got … I feel (Sweetdots) was very nice. It’s very close to (Murray State’s) campus, which makes it easily accessible.”

Peery said she wants to find more meeting locations that are free and pose minimal risk of members encountering conflict and ridicule in the community. 

“We’d love to do more stuff on campus, but it’s hard to know what we can and can’t do there,” she said. “If we’re providing a space, we want to make sure it’s safe.”

West KY Now holds chapter meetings on the first Thursday of each month. Upcoming programming includes the “October Rotluck” seasonal cookout and a donation collection for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The “October Rotluck” is 4:30 – 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19, at the Murray State Doran Arboretum’s Large Pavilion. Donations of specific items including underwear, sports bras, packaged snacks and more will go to Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center. Items can be dropped off at West KY chapter and committee meetings, Young Feminist Meetups, the “October Rotluck” event, Wit’s End Records and Future Grounds Coffee. 

West KY NOW works to address issues of reproductive rights and justice, economic justice, violence against women, racial justice, LGBTQ rights and Constitutional equality from the local to national level. Lindner said these efforts include providing non-partisan access to voter education resources, community support and rights advocacy for topics of regional concern.

“We believe that working to build a safe, equitable and just community in our town and region will improve the lives of all that live here,” Lindner said.

For West KY NOW and Young Feminist Meetup events and programming updates, visit westkynow.org and their Facebook and Instagram pages @westkynow.