Joy
“Find your female herstory, the one that’s not taught in schools, the one your parents didn’t tell you about, the one that defines women’s roles and disseminates theoretical assertions about gendered performance, think hard, reflect, and let that guide you in all your endeavors. Locate your SHEroes and hold on tight.”
Martha Joy, more commonly known as “Joy",” is a feminist pioneer and visionary who is on the forefront of celebrating, honoring, and providing visibility to the experiences of womanhood and motherhood. She is the Founder of the Museum of Motherhood, an educator in the field of “Mother Studies,” and an award-winning artist and activist. From running exhibitions to creating educational materials, she illuminates her powerful perspectives of motherhood and maternity through a multitude of accessible mediums. Her work highlights not only the history and evolution of a woman’s role in the home, but it serves to empower and mobilize women through an intersectional lens. Meet Joy. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
M: Call me "JOY" to the WORLD!
K: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
M: Fierce Feminist Warrior Advocate for Women and Mothers and Founder of the Museum of Motherhood. @MuseumOfMotherhood #MOMmuseum #MuseumOfMotherhood MOMmuseum.org
K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
M: My vagina. It births worlds
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
M: I am a human and I am a survivor. When I was 37, I was diagnosed with SLE (Lupus). Lost my kidneys to that disease and learned a whole new way of life. I've been living with the gift of a renal transplant from my friend Pam for the last 21 years, healing from the inside out. I am transformed. I now know that we are ALL inextricably linked. Every action should reflect that reality. In the words of Jane Addams, a harm to one is a harm to all. So, I hope people can get their sh*t together -because earth's a frigged up mess right now and I'm praying people can get a grip sooner rather than later. #Transplant #Kidneys #GetTheVax #WearAMask
K: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
M: Find your female herstory, the one that's not taught in schools, the one your parents didn't tell you about, the one that defines women's roles and disseminates theoretical assertions about gendered performance, think hard, reflect, and let that guide you in all your endeavors. Locate your SHEroes and hold on tight.
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
M: Being a woman in today's world is a legacy production. It means generously sharing information, opportunities, and love. It means embracing my whole human self; and accepting that I am a work in progress. It means being an ally, staying grounded, and focused on fresh ways of thinking and acting, listening hard and also speaking my truth to those who want to listen, while delivering on a sense of purpose. Personally, I'm aiming for a well-lived life, I'm finding my voice every day, working to bring the Museum of Motherhood to its fullest expression, and encouraging others along the way too.
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
M: There are SO MANY women who inspire me: There are artists, like CD Clifford and Helen Heibert and the women of Mamapalooza, my former bandmates. There are scholars, too many to mention, and women in history like the founding women sociologists including Harriet Martineau, Sojourner Truth, and Ida B. Wells. I stand on the shoulders of the women who came before and I connect very strongly to the feminist mother movement of the twenty-first century. I learn from the next generation including my daughter Zena, daughter in law Taylor (and Maeghan), and my sons Brody, Blaze, Brian, and Ali because the world needs feminist men, too. I would tell everybody the same thing: I APPRECIATE YOU!