Meet a Nasty Woman: 5 Questions with Cheryl Strayed
Meet Cheryl Strayed. Cheryl Strayed is a Nasty Woman, author, and podcaster. She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling memoir Wild, the New York Times bestsellers Tiny Beautiful Things and Brave Enough, and the novel Torch. Wild was chosen by Oprah Winfrey as her first selection for Oprah's Book Club 2.0. Strayed's books have been translated into nearly forty languages around the world and have been adapted for both the screen and the stage.
Strayed is the host of the New York Times podcast, Sugar Calling. Her former podcast was Dear Sugars, which she co-hosted with Steve Almond. Her essays have been published in The Best American Essays, the New York Times, the Washington Post Magazine, Vogue, Salon, The Sun, Tin House, The New York Times Book Review, and elsewhere. Strayed holds an MFA in fiction writing from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. She lives in Portland, Oregon.
What makes you a Nasty Woman?
I have been a feminist since I learned what a feminist was when I was about six. I’ve always spoken up against sexism, even when it got me in trouble. That’s what a Nasty Woman is to me--someone brave enough to speak the truth about discrimination.
Share an experience that shaped your views or helped get you involved in activism.
When I was a sophomore in college at the University of Minnesota I took a class called Introduction to Women’s Studies and it completely blew my mind. For the first time, I understood that my feminism wasn’t rooted in some personal quibble with being treated unfairly, but rather those feelings I had were attached to this big, ugly system called patriarchy that was designed to keep women and girls down. The things we studied, discussed, and learned in that class about gender, race, class, and sexuality were both deeply affirming to me and also deeply illuminating. I was rocked to my core and it spurred me to immediately became involved in various forms of feminist activism. That was more than thirty years ago and I’m still an activist today.
What advice do you have for people who want to help enact change and push progress but don’t know how to get involved?
Start by connecting with other people or organizations who work on the issues you care about. Show up at their meetings or become a member of their organizations or interact with them online. Reach out and see what they need. I think it’s also important to consider what you have to offer. We don’t all have to give the same thing--in fact, we need a diversity of interest and experience. Some people are out protesting, others are researching or fundraising or doing social media campaigns behind the scenes. Some can donate money, others can donate time. You don’t have to be everything to be involved in making change. You only have to give what you’re best at giving.
If you could look into the future, 10 years from now, and see that real progress has been made, what does that look like to you?
It looks like a world that has dismantled white supremacy and the patriarchy. It’s a world where access to healthcare, food, water, housing, and education is a human right around the globe. It’s a world where humans consider the well-being of non-human animals and the planet to be essential to our survival.
Share with us a favorite wine moment or memory, or pairing.
I have a theory that any bottle of wine tastes better on a hiking trail, especially if you had to carry it in your own pack and walk several miles before drinking it. Who knew wine would pair so perfectly with freeze-dried chili?
The NASTY WOMAN WINE you appear on the label of is called Persist Pinot Gris. Please share your thoughts on persistence.
Persistence is the only way we get to where we want to go--individually and collectively. It’s the commitment to take action every day on behalf of our intentions and our dreams. I’ve had to be persistent in everything that’s been good in my life--in writing, mothering, and activism. It’s the way to move forward. One step at a time.