Punching out the patriarchy 💥💥

The real-life feminist fight club began in a cramped New York City apartment, with half a dozen women, over cheap wine, venting about our jobs and vowing to support each other. But we were far from the first group of women to gather in the name of something we believed in. Each week on Instagram, we try to highlight some of the lesser-known groups who did just that: from the Sojourner Truth Disciples, who fought to improve prison conditions for women in the 1960s, to the Chulita Vinyl Club, a Chicana DJ collective in south Texas that aims to overturn male-dominated DJ culture.

But there are also real fighters – physical ones – who've gathered too, and this week we have a special feature.

For the past semester, Feminist Fight Club book researcher and community manager Sharon Attia, a photojournalism student at NYU, has been documenting the women of She Fights, an actual feminist fight club that teaches self-confidence to young women of color in New York City through boxing. (Their slogan: "Together we can punch out the patriarchy.") The girls who box as part of She Fights are 14-to-19-year-olds, many from immigrant families, and Sharon's photos explore how collaboration has empowered them to overcome shyness, build self-esteem, and embrace their physical strength. Her photos will be on display and open to the public at the Gallatin Galleries in Greenwich Village through May 9, with an opening reception on May 3. Enjoy!

With a raised glove,

Jessica Bennett & Team FFC

"I wanted to show people that I can be strong. I wanted them to understand that a young girl like me is able to be fearless."
– Cinthia, 14

"I decided to try boxing because I want to go out my comfort zone. I hate feeling defenseless and stressed so learning a few moves really helped a lot."
– Dina, 17

"Boxing makes me feel like I am in control of the world."
– Ita, 17

"When I think of [boxing] I think of being able to do something that's typically looked down on for a female, and that I'm just as good and even better than boys."
– Shirley, 18

"Boxing has made me more confident. All the stress from school is gone and it's just me and the punching bag."
– Xhesika, 17

"I wanted to show people that I can be strong. I wanted them to understand that a young girl like me is able to be fearless." – Cinthia, 14

"I decided to try boxing because I want to go out my comfort zone. I hate feeling defenseless and stressed so learning a few moves really helped a lot." – Dina, 17

"Boxing makes me feel like I am in control of the world." – Ita, 17

"When I think of [boxing] I think of being able to do something that's typically looked down on for a female, and that I'm just as good and even better than boys." – Shirley, 18

"Boxing has made me more confident. All the stress from school is gone and it's just me and the punching bag." – Xhesika, 17

"I wanted to show people that I can be strong. I wanted them to understand that a young girl like me is able to be fearless."
– Cinthia, 14

"I decided to try boxing because I want to go out my comfort zone. I hate feeling defenseless and stressed so learning a few moves really helped a lot."
– Dina, 17

"Boxing makes me feel like I am in control of the world."
– Ita, 17

"When I think of [boxing] I think of being able to do something that's typically looked down on for a female, and that I'm just as good and even better than boys."
– Shirley, 18

"Boxing has made me more confident. All the stress from school is gone and it's just me and the punching bag."
– Xhesika, 17