Women We Watch: Scarlett Curtis

We're taking it back to June, when we first met campaigner and Tatty Devine fan Scarlett Curtis in our original Brick Lane studio to talk Tatty Devine, Baker-Miller pink and an exciting project that we just had to get involved with... Fast forward to early October, when all was finally revealed: Feminists Don't Wear Pink (and other lies) is a published collection of 52 stellar contributors talking toxic mistruths, stereotypes and their experiences with feminism. We're pumped to say that we've created a very special piece of jewellery to coincide with the publication, laser etched and hand inked with book’s title (and Scarlett’s ‘favourite’ mistruth). Wanna know more? Read on... 💕

CAN YOU SUM UP WHAT YOU DO IN FIVE WORDS?

Feminist, writer, activist, professional emailer.

FROM PODCASTS TO PLAYLISTS, WHAT DO YOU LISTEN TO INSPIRE YOU?

I listen to podcasts or the same song by Kate Bush on repeat until I feel like it’s been drilled into my brain!

YOUR DEBUT PUBLICATION, ‘FEMINISTS DON'T WEAR PINK’ JUST LAUNCHED. HOW DID IT COME ABOUT AND HOW DID YOU DECIDE UPON ITS TITLE?

When I started working with Penguin I knew I wanted to create a book that expressed the feminist movement in 2018 and made the idea of being a feminist seem approachable. I also knew I definitely didn’t think it should be just my voice! We decided to make a collection that shows the various different ways you can be a feminist and all the different voices that contribute to this amazing movement and hopefully encourage young girls to become feminists! Someone once asked me how I could be a feminist activist and still wear so much pink and so the title was born from that!

WHICH HISTORICAL WOMAN WOULD YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO FEATURE IN FDWP AND WHY?

I think probably Audre Lorde! She’s a hero of mine and completely began the kind of writing and tone that we’ve tried to create in FDWP.

WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY REGARD AS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT?

I think overcoming my mental health conditions and managing to live a fairly normal life despite them.

WHAT’S THE BEST DECISION YOU EVER MADE?

The best decision I’ve ever made was to get my dog when I was 16! She saved my life.

WORST DECISION?

Getting my roots bleached too soon because I wanted fresh hair for my birthday and half my hair fell out!

YOU'VE ADDRESSED PERIOD POVERTY AND MISCONCEPTIONS AROUND FEMINISM: WHAT'S NEXT?

My activist group The Pink Protest are working on a few really fun campaigns for the rest of the year so keep your eyes peeled on our Instagram @pinkprotest to get involved! We’re currently working on a few projects with Nimco Ali, the amazing anti-FGM campaigner and also setting up a support fund for victims of sexual harassment in the workplace with Jess Phillips.

WHICH TATTY DEVINE PIECE IS YOUR FAVOURITE?

When I was 15 I was given a pair of Tatty Devine cat ears which I wore every single day. I was in a wheelchair and used to only feel confident enough to go outside when I had them one. I wore them to every hospital appointment and also used to pretend I couldn’t hear without them on. They broke in half when my brother threw them down the stairs and I superglued them back together. I still have them in my memory box. They changed my life!

WHICH WOMEN ARE YOU WATCHING RIGHT NOW?

Saba Asif is an incredible teenage activist from Camden who I’m certain is going to be prime minister one day! Em Odesser is another friend of mine who’s also in the book and her TV show ’18 with Issues’ just premiered on Vice. She’s going to take over the world!

Thanks, Scarlett. Get your hands on the Feminists Don't Wear Pink Necklace and Feminists Don't Wear Pink Necklace and Book Set here. Listen up, you can even get your fix by tuning into the FDWP Podcast, yaaaaaaaaas!