[close] As a third wave feminist, Megan Seely came of age in a time that benefited from the work of a movement in progress. Heavily influenced by this, Seely is dedicated to educating today's youth about the fight that occurred and fragility of women's rights today.

As a fifth generation Californian, Seely was primarily raised in the coastal farming town of Aromas, near the Watsonville-Monterey-Santa Cruz area. Her first taste of activism was with the United Farm Workers' fight for the rights and safety of migrant farm workers. Staging protests and hunger strikes at her high school and in her town, she learned at a young age the power of her voice. Seely, along with her two sisters, was raised by her folks to be a woman with strong convictions.

Seely received her Bachelor's Degree in 1995 from California State University, Chico in International Relations, with Latin American Studies and Women's Studies minors, and her Master's Degree in Sociology from CSU Sacramento in 1998, with an emphasis on Feminist Theory. During her time at Chico State, Seely was introduced to the National Organization for Women, where she quickly became involved in leadership roles. In 1999, she was elected CA NOW Young Feminist Vice President, the first such position and a tribute to CA NOW's commitment to increasing youth activism. And in 2001, Seely was elected the youngest-ever CA NOW State President. She served two terms before taking over as the Executive Director of the CA NOW Foundation from 2005-2006. Seely is the executive producer on two CA NOW films, Passion for Justice: 21st Century Feminism and Action for Justice: Making a Difference for Women and Girls.

As an activist, teacher and feminist, Seely is dedicated to supporting young women in their educational development. To do so, she seeks to increase awareness of what is at stake for women and girls, dispel the myths about feminism today, and create a movement that is relevant to young women and men. She is passionate about instituting grassroots and political activist trainings, encouraging an intergenerational dialogue, and redesigning leadership for a sustainable and equitable democracy.

Seely teaches at Sierra College in Northern California and has just completed her first book, Fight Like a Girl.

www.fightlikeagirl.org
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