Feminuity Turns Six 🎉

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I want to talk about our name on this year’s anniversary, as it is still regularly mispronounced, and more importantly, misunderstood.

We redesigned our logo a few years ago, hoping that a new design might better guide people on how to pronounce it, and that’s helped a little. But still, our mission is sometimes misunderstood. I’ve heard it all, and I’ve been advised to change the name by many well-intentioned and influential leaders.

“People will think you just do ‘women’ stuff.”

“It’s really feminist-y, you know?”

“You’re rapidly scaling; you might scare prospective clients away...”

I considered changing our name more times than I can count, but I’ve realized that breaking down assumptions like these is part of our work.

Our company name, feminuity, combines the words “feminism” and “ingenuity.” ‘Ingenuity’ is defined as the quality of being clever or inventive. And for us, ‘feminism’ is an equity-based movement that must benefit everyone. Our approach acknowledges that ‘isms’ (ableism, antisemitism, ageism, classism, cissexism, settler colonialism, colourism, racism, sexism, sizeism etc.) and other forms of systemic inequity exist, and we must design intentional practices to deconstruct them.

Over the past six years, we’ve worked with seventy-six clients across six continents using the expertise and knowledge of our small but mighty team. We’ve grown tremendously and plan to continue to do so because we know that people inside companies are hurting, and in some cases, the products and offerings that companies share with the world hurt people, too. For us, ‘innovation' that harms people or the planet is neither radical nor revolutionary, and we need organizations to do better. That’s what we’re actually about. 😊

It’s been the greatest honour of my life to spend my days learning alongside our team, partners, and clients as we help make the world just a bit better. I sparked this little idea with about $500.00 and a lot of heart, and it’s only been possible to grow feminuity into what it is today because of the incredible humans that have and continue to shape it.

The last six years were just the warm-up; stay tuned!

Practice Pronouncing Names 🗣️

Greek and Cypriot people pass down our (usually religious) names through our families. I know that many non-Greek speakers feel intimidated when trying to pronounce my first and last name, but that shouldn’t be the case! Our team members use Name Drop so that people can practice pronouncing names on their own time and at their own pace. Learning to pronounce someone’s name correctly is a sign of respect. Try creating your own Name Drop, and if you like, you can learn to pronounce my name (keep in mind, this is the anglicized pronunciation).

Konstantina (she, hers), Inclusive and Accessible Digital Communications Lead

Respect Names and Pronouns 🔤

My name (and pronouns) aren’t preferred; they’re essential. As a gender queer person, the importance of names resonates deeply with me. My name, chosen purposefully, reflect how I view myself. It’s 2 letters, it contains two syllables and two distinct sounds. Beyond my name being affirming, the deliberate pronunciation acts as a small reminder to slow down, and to act with intention.

The importance of being recognized with my correct name and pronouns are a key part of me feeling a sense of belonging and inclusion in the spaces I am in. Learn more about the importance of sharing pronouns in the workplace.

KT (they, them), Consultant

What's In a Name? 🔎

I have an Indian and Hindu first and middle name “Anisha (ah-NEE-sha) Seethara' (see-th-AH-rah).” In my culture, our names are based on sounds or letters aligning with Vedic astrology. Twelve days after my birth I had a “Name Ceremony” or “Namakarana Sanskar'' where people gathered in celebration and blessings around my name. For me, my name carries my culture, history, and the strength of my family.

My Thatha (Th-ah-th-ah)(grandfather), taught me the importance of names growing up. Wherever we go, he asks and learns people’s names and continually refers to them by their name through the interaction. This act forms an instant personal connection, humanizing and acknowledging the people he comes across.

To learn more about the impotence of names check out our four part blog series, What’s in a Name? Here we discuss name mispronunciation, decisions around changing names, and tactical ways to show respect for names.

Anisha (she, her), Consultant

Digital Land Acknowledgement

Feminuity was founded on land that is the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and it is home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.

While land acknowledgements allow us to reflect on physical spaces and the land they are on, a newsletter like this lives in a virtual space and is engaged with from a range of places. Each week we will amplify the work of Indigenous creators.

Creator Feature 🎨

Kaya Joan is a multi-disciplinary Afro-Indigenous (Vincentian, Kanienkéha:ka, Irish, Jamaican) artist born, raised and living in T’karonto, Dish with One Spoon treaty territory. Kaya’s work focuses on healing, transcending linear notions of time, blood memory and relationship to place. Black and Indigenous futurity are also centred in Kaya’s practice, framing methods of making as ancestral tools to unpack and transform buried truths, opening portals 7 generations into the past and future.

Kaya has been working in community arts for 6 years as a facilitator and artist. They are a core member of Weave and Mend, an Indigenous femme/non-binary collective.

Connect with Kaya Joan

P.S. If you’re having difficulty centring diversity, equity, and inclusion
within your organization reach out at hello@feminuity.org.

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