The future is female and they want to tell the world about it. If you are looking for gift ideas for a feminist, activist, engaged teenager, we have searched the web and created a list that will please even the most cynical and critical teens.
The last decade saw the rise of powerful young female voices in the global landscape, among them Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg, Marley Dias and Emma Gonzalez to name the most famous. But in truth, there are hundreds of young women all over the world fighting for civil rights, climate change, education, peace, reproductive rights, access to clean water, sustainability, representation and every other big issue you can think of.
Finding the right gift for a teenager is hard enough as it is, let alone a teenager with principles. It can be easy to offend them or send the wrong message that their interests are silly or superficial. So if you want to get it right for those young leaders to be, pay attention to what they’re saying, to who they admire, to what matters to them. In many cases, making a donation for their cause could be the best possible gift. And know your HERstory! If you are looking for something that will help them keep growing, keep learning and keep spreading their message, our list has got you covered.
RBG poster
The late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, aka RBG, was an absolute and unquestionable role model for every feminist out there. Architect of the legal fight for women’s rights in the 1970s, Ginsburg subsequently served 27 years on the nation’s highest court, becoming its most prominent member. Her famous dissents and her relentless fight for gender equality made her a true popular icon and a role model for girls everywhere. This poster with her famous quote would be a great source of daily inspiration for any teen, but especially those that show interest in civil rights and the law. Looking at RBG everyday when they wake up and go to sleep will be an effective reminder that they can aspire to reach high.
Book: "We should all be feminists" - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This book-length essay from 2014 by the Nigerian author offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the twenty-first century, inspired by inclusion and awareness. Adapted from her TEDx talk of the same name, it was selected as book of the year by the British publication The Independent for it “would be the book I’d press into the hands of girls and boys, as an inspiration for a future ‘world of happier men and happier women who are truer to themselves”. We bet your 15 to 17 year-old feminist teen, wether a he, a she or a they, would benefit from this formative book too.
Girls Who Code: 2-week Summer Immersion Program
Who said gifts need to cost something? Girls Who Code is a wonderful non-profit organization focused on closing the gender gap in the tech industry. According to their website, “in 1995, 37% of computer scientists were women. Today, it’s only 24%.” If you’re looking for something really meaningful and impactful to give to a STEM oriented 15-17 year-old girl, they hold summer immersion programs in several locations throughout the world. During the pandemic, the program is being offered virtually and its goal is to teach girls and non-binary students the computer science skills they need to make an impact in their community while preparing for a career in tech. Participants will get exposure to tech jobs, and join a supportive sisterhood of girls in tech. Because they’re a non-profit and get funding from major tech companies, the program is free (and offers lunch for in-person classes), but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to get into. You need to fill out an interest form and when applications open, you’ll need to submit some material that shows them how committed the girl is with STEM and her previous experience. But if you have a passionate teen in your life and she doesn’t know about Girls Who Code yet, just showing them all the possibilities it opens up will be a big gift. And remember, you can always make a donation on her behalf. 😉
Bracelet "Nevertheless, she persisted"
“Senator Warren was giving a lengthy speech. She had appeared to violate the rule. She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.” Those were the words Sen. Mitch McConnell chose to justify the Senate’s vote to silence Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s objections to confirmation of Senator Jeff Sessions as U.S. Attorney General back in 2017. To his dismay, the expression gained a different meaning by feminists who coined the hashtag #shepersisted in reference of women’s historic persistence in breaking barriers, despite being silenced or ignored. It ended up going viral and becoming a rallying cry for strong women “who refused to be silenced”. This delicate leather bracelet, that can be customized in different colors, carries those simple yet impactful words as a reminder of women’s never ending struggle to be heard. If you know a teenager that has been fighting against the stream, feeling discouraged, losing hope, this can be a great way to help them remember that they must persist.
Book: "Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers who changed the World" - Rachel Ignotofsky
This New York Times best seller highlights the work of fifty notable women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from the ancient to the modern world. Among the amazing women pictured in the book is ancient greek philosopher Hypatia, primatologist Jane Goodall, NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson. Given the simpler language and illustration style, younger teens would enjoy this better. Reading about so many inspiring women and their journeys will be a good source of motivation for their own beginning life journeys.
MY LIFE: Mindfulness App
Fighting for justice is exhausting, that’s for sure. Young teenagers today are more political and engaged than generations before. They are bombarded by information everyday and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious by all that’s going on in the world and all the work that still needs to be done. If you feel like the teen in your life could benefit from stress relieving activities, mindfulness is a powerful way to learn how to live in the present. Mindfulness apps have been on a rise in the past decade as scientific evidence shows the mental and physical health benefits it creates. According to the Harvard Gazette, “there are a handful of key areas — including depression, chronic pain, and anxiety — in which well-designed, well-run studies have shown benefits for patients engaging in a mindfulness meditation program, with effects similar to other existing treatments.” Out of many options out there, My Life has been highly praised for the way it effectively communicates with the younger audience. It checks in with how they are feeling before it recommends personalized activities that will address their specific needs. What better gift for a feminist teen than the gift of peace and serenity?
MASTERCLASS: Margaret Atwood teaches Creative Writing
For the feminist teenager who loves literature, Margaret Atwood is certainly an icon. The canadian teacher, poet and writer has an extensive and awarded body of work but her most notorious book paints a terrifying picture of a dystopian future where women have absolutely no voice or control over their own bodies. Recently adapted for the screen by Hulu, starring Elizabeth Moss, “The Handmaid’s Tale” is a punch in the gut of anyone fighting for equal rights. Masterclass offers an online class in which Margaret explores her “creative process for developing ideas into novels with strong structures and nuanced characters”. And if you’re feeling generous, go ahead and give them a subscription to this amazing pool of classes taught by great minds of our generation.
Journal: "Start Where You Are" - Meera Patel
Journaling has been recently lauded by science for boosting mindfulness, memory and communication skills, and even leading to better sleep, a stronger immune system, more self-confidence and a higher I.Q. If you are a teenager fighting for justice and equal rights, it’s easy to get frustrated, feeling lost and discouraged. Meera Lee Patel’s uplifting journal Start Where You Are helps readers navigate the confusion and chaos of daily life offering prompts and exercises along with inspirational quotes to encourage reflection. This would be a great gift for those more introverted teenagers who are a little artistic and sensitive.
"Nasty Game" Card Game
Who said being a feminist can’t be fun? Recommended for anyone age 12 or up, this Kickstarter-funded party game involves plenty of fun improvisation like in Cards Against Humanity or Apples to Apples. But as with all things feminist, Nasty Woman is a great tool to help teens (or adults, for that matter) to articulate the absurdity of our society and to make their voices heard. Sometimes, what starts out as a joke can turn into actionable steps and later on, who knows, maybe a movement.
Feminist Enamel Pin Set
This cute enamel pin set with feminist images and icons is a delicate yet strong way of helping feminists spread their message. You can choose from just 3 of them up to the whole package of 9, depending on how generous you’re feeling. They’re so beautifully crafted and would be a great decorative addition to a backpack or jacket.
Funko Pop! Icons: History - Rosie The Riveter (Exclusive)
How about the most iconic of feminist icons, Rosie the Riveter? She represents the women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, many of whom produced munitions and war supplies and it was used at the time to encourage women to volunteer for wartime service. However, the “We Can Do It!” poster that features this memorable, and later appropriated by the feminist movement, image of a strong, yet feminine woman, was actually produced by J. Howard Miller in 1943 for Westinghouse Electric as an inspirational image to boost female worker morale. During the war it was barely seen but made a rambunctious comeback in the 80s when feminists associated it with Rosie and used it to promote their message. Today, the poster is one of the ten most-requested images at the National Archives and has been largely used commercially, like in this exclusive edition of Funko Pop! Vinyl figures. Feminists of any age would love to have this cute reminder of how far women have come since the Rosies had to chip in at the factories.
"Empowered Women, Empower Women" T-shirt
For the passionate feminist teen, who likes to spread out her message and motivate those around her, a wearable is always a good gift. Shirts, hats, hoodies, necklaces, bags, you name it. This t-shirt in particular was able to include many messages in one. The concepts of strength, sorority, empowerment and racial unity are featured intertwined in a powerful imagine that teens of any age, race or creed can identify with.
Votes for Women Puzzle
Last but not least, teens of any age who enjoy focused and cerebral activities will enjoy celebrating a century of suffrage with this very cool circle puzzle of voting rights champions, from Hester C. Jeffrey to Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Frederick Douglass. And it even comes with a bonus poster-sized pamphlet featuring information on this landmark development in American history. Informative and fun.
Dainty Sports Necklace
For the sporty teen, these delicate necklaces would show them you know and support their passion and that you recognize that women can love and practice sports but also be very feminine and delicate. Volleyball, football, softball, basketball, you name it, they have it.