Inside Mass NOW: Meet Samantha Hohl

Mass NOW’s new Co-VP of Community Engagement, Samantha Hohl, has an ambitious, yet powerful goal: to create systemic, social change regarding women’s rights and social injustice.

“I want to contribute to combatting the types of policies that oppress a variety of populations in our state,” said Hohl, who joined the Board of Directors in October 2017.

Here, Hohl discusses why she joined Mass NOW and her favorite feminist quote. She also shares some words of wisdom to young feminists feeling discouraged by the current political environment.

Q: What's your favorite feminist quote and why?

A: “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” – Audre Lorde

To me this quote represents the idea that relatability is not a factor in deciding what we advocate for. Regardless of what kind of pain we suffer or don’t suffer we are not excused from fighting to correct embedded societal wrongs.

Q: What inspired you to join Mass NOW?

A: I joined Mass NOW because I believe that powerful and sustainable change can come from a group of individuals who unite with passion and purpose. Mass NOW brings together those who want to see equality in our communities, state, and nation. I wanted to be part of this group that not only envisions what that would look like but strives to take action.

Q: What advice would you give to young feminists feeling discouraged by today's political environment?

A: One of my favorite books is titled, Hope in the Dark, by Rebecca Solnit. In her essays Solnit writes about many social movements have started small scale, and discusses how even when we feel most overwhelmed by our social or political climate there is evidence that groups of people can achieve incredible things. It doesn’t have to be just influential leaders who decide what changes or stays the same- the spark happens with us. I want young feminists to know that they can affect change even when the gestures feel small.