- Website: http://www.jessicavalenti.com
Jessica is a 30 year-old feminist writer from New York. She has a Masters degree in Women's and Gender Studies from Rutgers University and has worked with organizations such as NARAL Pro-Choice America, Legal Momentum (formerly NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund), Planned Parenthood, the Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) and Ms. magazine. She is also a co-founder of the REAL hot 100, a campaign to highlight the important work that young women are doing across the country.
Jessica is the editor of Beijing Betrayed, a global monitoring report on women's progress worldwide and a contributing author to We Don't Need Another Wave and Single State of the Union (Seal Press). Her writing has appeared in Ms. magazine, Salon, The Guardian (UK), Bitch, Alternet, The Scholar & Feminist and Guernica.
In April 2007, Jessica was named one of ELLE magazine's IntELLEgentsia.
She is the author of two books, Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman's Guide to Why Feminism Matters, and He's a Stud, She's a Slut...and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know. She's also a co-editor of Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and A World Without Rape
Her newest book, The Purity Myth: How America's Obsession with Virginity is Hurting Young Women, will be out in Spring 2009.
Click here for Jessica's television, radio and speaking appearances.
If you're interested in having Jessica come speak at your school or organization, please contact Jodi Solomon Speakers Bureau.
Recent Entries from Jessica
Recents Comments from Jessica
- Liz, here's a link on 'lame' and why its an ableist word - something to consider for next time you comment!
(posted to Superbowl Sexism: Tenuous Masculinity Edition) - I wasn't trying to dictate acceptable male behavior, but acceptable human behavior. The implication of this ad is that fairly basic relationship considerations like sharing household responsibilities, cleaning up, or even just LISTENING to someone are somehow emasculating and big
(posted to Superbowl Sexism: Tenuous Masculinity Edition) - Don't be embarrassed; re-educating ourselves on language is really difficult - I slip up more than I'd like to as well.
(posted to Superbowl Sexism: Tenuous Masculinity Edition) - Check out the link to the print ad; that's what I was referring to. This vid is just a continuation of a long-standing campaign.
(posted to Superbowl Sexism: "Man-ifesto" edition) - How is wanting physical intimacy and affection "selfish" or somehow displaying male privilege? I believe people can have wonderful relationships without being physical, but that has to be something that both partners find satisfying. You write that In Need is
(posted to Ask Professor Foxy: What Is the Line Between Support and Getting My Needs Met?)
Responses to Comments from Jessica
- estimates of how many women in prostitution have been forced into the "business" or trafficked... Are mostly bullshit, unfortunately. They tend to get their nice big 90% figures by really iffy methods: for example, calling up establishments, asking about their (posted to Ask Professor Foxy: What Is the Line Between Support and Getting My Needs Met?)
- Actually men (and surprisingly, women) frequently use prostitutes to provide sexual and/or physical attention needs met when they no longer receive this from their long term relationships. It's often successful, can improve their relationship and can improve self-esteem. It's not (posted to Ask Professor Foxy: What Is the Line Between Support and Getting My Needs Met?)
- So based on the fact that one study in the UK was done poorly, you're discounting all of them? Most of my numbers come from US Department of Justice estimates and other law enforcement efforts in the US, anti-trafficking law (posted to Ask Professor Foxy: What Is the Line Between Support and Getting My Needs Met?)
- I thought the point was to work to eradicate inequality rather than compensate for it. (posted to Ask Professor Foxy: What Is the Line Between Support and Getting My Needs Met?)
- So based on the fact that one study in the UK was done poorly, you're discounting all of them? All the ones that give similarly high figures, unless I can track down actual information on them (which you haven't given (posted to Ask Professor Foxy: What Is the Line Between Support and Getting My Needs Met?)











