Pittsburgh Feminists for Intersectionality (PFI) prides itself in employing intersectional practices to fight racism, sexism, ableism, transphobia, and a host of other forms of oppression and discrimination facing underrepresented communities. As an organization, we focus on uplifting the most marginalized persons in society through purposeful and progressive direct and indirect action. PFI has an emergency fund that prioritizes black women and femmes that we fundraise for weekly. Our focus on intersectionality and the centering of marginalized voices is reflected in our leadership - PFI is run by a woman of color and a queer black woman. As an organization, we hope to grow our capacity for aid and education using programming and a more structured emergency fund.
Education
PFI creates and executes programs that educate and empower the community while centering marginalized voices. We plan to expand our involvement with local youth through increased programming and give them opportunities to express their passions, creativity, and knowledge. Our main focus with programming is critical thinking and development as well as the arts. Plans are already in the works for a film-focused project, a writing-focused project (both with youth), a mixed platform arts program, a mental health program, and a black community-focused teach-in.
Emergency Fund
We aim to source our emergency fund with supplemental funds from foundations and other community organizations that support community projects and small, non-501c3 organizations. Currently, members can apply for up to $100 per month in assistance through PFI, per person. It is our goal to be able to allot $500 per person, per month, to assist with bills for our underserved communities and members in need. We will continue to fundraise through our membership but would like to establish a base of funds so that we can give more back to the community.
Small, But Mighty
PFI may be small, but our goals are big and our passion for social justice is even bigger. The impact we’ve made on our community and on our members in our three years of existence has been powerful, and we look forward to making even bigger waves in 2021 as we work to grow PFI to its fullest potential.
We are led by a woman of color and a queer black woman. We learn from their lived experiences and defer to and rely upon their judgment. We listen to them, we believe them, and we work with them to help create a better world for every human.
Daeja is a poet and organizer, born and raised in Pittsburgh. She attended the creative and performing arts school for post of her life and went to Chatham University for her BFA and MFA in creative writing. She has been organizing in the area for going on 13 years. Mental health and anti-racist advocacy are very near and dear to her heart, along with many other injustices. She co-founded Pittsburgh Feminists for Intersectionality in February 2017 and has been growing the organization from an online platform to a community benefit organization that has become a staple in the grassroots community in Pittsburgh. In her spare time, Daeja listens to and plays music, enjoys friends, writes, and is always looking for adventure and the best cup of coffee around.
Liz has been one of the Women of Color admins of Pittsburgh Feminist for Intersectionality since 2018 but has been involved in social justice advocacy since she immigrated to the United States. She is on a mission to lead systemic and sustainable change that improves the lives of community members. Liz is inspired by individuals and organizations doing great work. In her spare time, Liz enjoys baking cookies, binging true-crime shows and podcasts, and spending time with friends, family, and her rescue cat.
Meet the Team
Gianna (She / Her / Hers)
Moderator of Pittsburgh Feminists for Intersectionality since 2020. Racial, gender and class equity, along with disability rights and accessibility, are my biggest passion points.
When I'm not cuddled up on the couch with my two pups, you can find me reading, writing, or playing video games. Also a big fan of contemplating and debating pop culture happenings and how they affect larger social structures. Usually doing all of the above with a large cup of coffee in hand.
Kathryn (She / Her / Hers)
Kathryn was born and raised in Pittsburgh, and has been passionate about uplifting marginalized communities most of her life. She is always ready to help marshal a protest, collect funds and goods for those in need, and be of support to her loved ones. When she is not involved in activism, she runs her own portrait studio. She has three cats, Charlie, Richie, and Sugar, and loves all animals, plants, and music.
Camille (She / Her / Hers)
Hello beebs and babes! I've been a PFI mod for a number of years I'm not sure of, and I moved to PGH in 2012. My intersections include mental illness and bisexuality, and my hobbies include cooking, woodworking, sitting in chairs weird, and pretending to know what I'm doing. I live in Lawrenceville with my husband and our fat little jagoff of a bird named Toki Wartooth. PFI has been a major part of my intersectional feminism journey and I am so excited to help Daeja and Liz with this critically important work.