The brainchild of three women-of-color sociologists, IntersectionAllies is a smooth, gleeful entry into intersectional feminism. The nine interconnected characters proudly describe themselves and their backgrounds, involving topics that range from a physical disability to language brokering, offering an opportunity to take pride in a personal story and connect to collective struggle for justice.
From left to right:
LaToya Council was born and raised in Dudley, North Carolina. She was first introduced to the concept of intersectionality at Spelman College, which inspired her scholarship, activism, and vision for a more inclusive world. LaToya went on to earn her MA in sociology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and is currently finishing up her PInformation Sheet – IntersectionAllieshD in sociology at the University of Southern California. Her research theorizes how race, class, and gender shape work and family life.
Chelsea Johnson became interested in feminism through writers like Audre Lorde and Patricia Hill Collins as an undergraduate at Spelman College, a historically Black college for women in Atlanta, GA. She went on to study the politics of race, class, gender, and fashion at the University of Southern California, where she earned her PhD in sociology and gender studies in 2019. Chelsea now works as an applied researcher in the corporate world, using intersectionality to help companies design products with underrepresented groups in mind.
Carolyn Choi was born to immigrant parents in Los Angeles. After graduating with her BA from UCLA, Carolyn began community organizing with an immigrant rights organization in Los Angeles, where intersectionality was central to her advocacy work. She later went abroad to earn an MS in sociology at the London School of Economics and Political Science and is currently at the University of Southern California, finishing up her PhD. Carolyn’s research touches on the topics of human trafficking and international migration.
Read Aloud Tips
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Introduce the book by explaining what intersectionality is. Work with students to come up examples.
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Use language walls to define unknown words and begin to get students familiar with these.
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Using conversation slips and debate centers, ask students to discuss why it is important to have literature that represents all Americans. Additionally, have them talk about a book or story that they truly connected with and why.
“A celebration of solidarity, allyship, and community…A welcoming resource for conversations about equality and social justice that shows readers how identities are made up of myriad influences.” – Publisher’s Weekly