Featured UCLA Feminist: Cherry Tomilowitz

“I think the point of feminism is not to just body slam you with one side of the story, but give you the freedom of choice. True feminism respects all women’s choices, even if it’s something you personally disagree with.”

Do you believe in gender equality? Do you think women should get the same respect, pay, and power that men get? Do you believe that one should not be judged by their sex? If you answered yes to any one of these questions, you may just be a feminist!

Cherry Tomilowitz, a junior at UCLA, considers herself a feminist. When asked if there was a defining moment in her life where she realized she was a feminist she described, “I think it’s always been innate in me. I’ve always been the person to fight for the underdog; it’s the rescuer personality in me. Just seems to be common sense in my eyes.”

Although Tomilowitz has never questioned her status as a feminist, she still recognizes that many other people hold strong stereotypes depicting feminists in a negative light. In response, Tomilowitz states:

 “Feminism can have any face. Men can have feminist beliefs; it’s not just exclusive to women. And that’s what’s so beautiful about it- it’s spreading so there’s really not just one picture for it.”

Tomilowitz is just one of the very many faces of feminism. People of all different genders, sexual orientations, socio-economic classes, political parties, religions, and interests can consider themselves a feminist and help fight for gender equality. Feminists are very diverse in background but very similar in the one common goal to not let gender define who you are as a person.