by Javiera Sobarzo-Zepeda
This opinion is solely that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Feminists in Struggle.
On September 15-18 I attended the second annual WDI conference held in San Francisco CA.
It was a great conference with many topics ranging from reproductive technology, desisted and de transitioned women, women’s studies and academia, the rise of queer policies and the effects on our politics, consciousness raising circles, the work WDI has done in legislation, feminist language and many more. I also participated in the non-violent direct action, which was an experience all its own. We were yelled at and taunted, but we persevered.
I got involved in the radical feminist movement this past year, joining WDI and FIST. I grew up on the west coast in a liberal and progressive area and I was in the camp of “transwomen are women” and “sex work is work” for many years, without thinking much about what these sayings actually meant. It wasn’t until I became a mom to a daughter that these mantras began to unravel for me. I want her to grow up in a safe world that honors her for who she is and respects her body as her own.
This conference was the first conference I have been to where I was with other likeminded women. As a baby radical feminist,I found it inspiring to hear from women who have been in this fight for female sovereignty. I feel a renewed strength to stay in this for my daughter. It was encouraging to see other women my age as well, I am in my early 30s, I think a lot of my generation is starting to see through the veil. We want to protect our children, our friends children from these manipulative forces.
I am looking forward and have great hope for what is to come. Women are waking up. We are speaking and being heard. I know we will find a way and it may look different, but through community and working together, we will preserve female sovereignty.
I found and read the “First‑hand report from WDI conference in San Francisco” article you linked. The author shares a personal, reflective account of attending the Women’s Declaration International (WDI) event, describing it as inspiring and strengthening her commitment to what she terms “female sovereignty,” while also participating in non‑violent direct action and feeling challenged by opposition during the conference. Her perspective clearly aligns with radical feminist viewpoints expressed at the gathering, which focus on debates around reproductive technology, feminist language, and politics, and reject certain mainstream gender narratives. Given the broader context that WDI is widely seen as a gender‑critical, trans‑exclusionary group that has drawn protests and criticism from transgender rights advocates and mainstream feminist organizations for its views and policies, a thoughtful comment might acknowledge both the personal impact of the experience for the author and the importance of critically engaging with how such events contribute to broader, often contentious conversations about gender, rights, and inclusion in contemporary feminist movements.