{image1}Although mercilessly bulldozed by big chains for years, independent bookshops seem to be -- thankfully -- reemerging from the rubble. Recently, Voss Books opened in the Third Ward (229 N. Water St.) and soon, Milwaukee will welcome a feminist bookshop, aptly named Milwaukee Feminist Books.
"The bookstore has been a dream for all of us for a long time," says Amy Daroszeski, one of four women involved in the venture. "After too many nights of, 'If we owned our own store...' and 'Wouldn't it be amazing if there were feminist bookstore in Milwaukee...' We finally decided to turn our talk into action."
Although Daroszeski and partners Amy Kistner, Molly Tennessen and Kelly Todd haven't secured a spot for their shop yet, they plan to open sometime before summer.
"Currently, we are raising money in order to get our business loan and from there, we will be able to rent a space," says Daroszeski, a 26-year-old English teacher at Rufus King High School who is working on her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and Women Studies from UWM.
June Jordan, Alice Walker, Audre Lorde, Judith Butler, Angela Davis, Michael Moore, Leslie Feinberg, Inga Muscio, Adrienne Rich, Dorothy Allison, Amber Hollibaugh and Holly Hughes are just a few of the writers whose words will be on shelves.
In addition to feminist fiction and non-fiction, the bookshop will stock progressive, leftist and liberal literature, including social movements, vegetarianism/veganism, LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer), cultural history, non-sexist children's books, erotica, 'zines, political theory, education and environmental issues.
A small selection of feminist/progressive music, bumper stickers, t-shirts and gift-items will also be available.
Milwaukee Feminist Books is Wisconsin's second feminist bookshop, joining A Room of One's Own in Madison. "While we have met a few times with the owner of A Room of One's Own and have received several good ideas of how to run and set up our store, we do plan to maintain a separate, original store," says Daroszeski.
The owners plan to hostess special events such as author signing/readings, poetry/spoken word nights, small music events, discussion groups and workshops.
"There are feminists, left-minded thinkers, liberals, radicals, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender people, queers, anti-war activists, animal rights activists, human rights workers, environmentalists, and lots and lots of others who see the need for a progressive, social bookstore, all over this city," says Daroszeski.
Milwaukee Feminist Books is currently accepting used books that can be dropped off at The Women's Resource Center in the Union at UWM (2200 E. Kenmore Blvd.), The Riverwest Co-Op (733 E. Clarke St.) and Barossa (235 S. 2nd St.) They are also accepting monetary, non-tax deductable donations at P.O. Box 71213 Shorewood, WI 53211
Milwaukee Feminist Books will soon have a Web site at www.milwaukeefeministbooks.com and are available by e-mail, milwfeministbook@hotmail.com.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
