New Books in World Affairs Lucy Delap, "Feminisms: A Global History" (U Chicago Press, 2020)
Aug 31, 2025
Lucy Delap, a Reader in Modern British and Gender History at Cambridge University, dives into her book, *Feminisms: A Global History*. She explores the complexities and nuances of global feminist movements, emphasizing diverse narratives and women's agency. The discussion touches on the role of emotions in feminism, strategies for advocacy, and how sound has historically connected women in cultural protests. Delap also highlights the ongoing struggle for inclusion in music, showcasing influential female composers and their impact on feminist history.
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Episode notes
Global Synthesis Over Anglo-American Lens
- Lucy Delap framed the book as a synthesis of global feminisms, not a narrow Anglo-American account.
- She intentionally learned from diverse scholars to tell a plural, connected history rather than a single linear narrative.
Mosaic, Not March Of Progress
- Delap rejected a chronological structure in favor of thematic, interlocking chapters to avoid teleology.
- She uses a mosaic metaphor to show how feminist elements recombine, are lost, or get repurposed across contexts.
Three Utopias And A Real-World Refuge
- Delap contrasts three early-20th-century feminist utopias from Russia, Bengal, and the U.S. to show divergent feminist dreams.
- She then follows activists like Pandita Ramabai to explore the difficulties of turning visions into institutions.
