Meet Lynn

lhb-headshotLynn Harris Ballen has been a senior producer/co-host on on Feminist Magazine for the past seven years. She’s had a career in media and communications, ranging from Los Angeles Magazine to the L.A. County Natural History Museum. And while living in Mexico, Lynn co-founded a bi-cultural social justice non-profit that still runs a scholarship and after-school program for underserved girls. As a lesbian and feminist cultural activist, Lynn is passionate about telling untold stories and bridging between communities, and has produced conferences, publications and art/history exhibits. Now finally taking her writing seriously, she’s working on her latest project – a memoir set in her home country of South Africa about adoption, apartheid and the very personally political.

Words she lives by: “When I dare to be powerful – to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” – Audre Lorde

Labels that I accept: Feminist. Activist. Writer. Lesbian Femme. (Just don’t call me a girl, a lady, a chick … or ma’am!)

Media Sources that I use to keep up on current events: Mostly my smart friends’ posts on facebook and journalists & activists that follow on twitter. (but also Bitch & The Guardian.)

Always in my fridge: Hummus, olives and sundried tomato tapenade – so I always have a snack, or something for friends, or even lunch.

Musical Preferences: Everything from ’90s UK ska, reggae & female-fronted punk, to vintage TheThe, Talking Heads & Sinead O’Connor, to current Janelle Monae, Laura Mvula, The Gossip, La Santa Cecilia & afrodivas like Angelique Kidjo & Nneka …

I am Feminist Enough to: Love how Feminism is a worldview with a core-root and many branches, and how we can all support each other to learn & grow in that framework.  (And oh, yeah: Smash The Patriarchy!)