Why do women in the institutional animal rights movement often feel unable to speak up? Why are animal rights organizations losing too much talent to burnout because of negative employment experiences? Dr. Krista Hiddema joins us to discuss her doctoral research on women’s experiences working professionally within the animal rights movement and the factors that, she asserts, too often drive them away. Krista details her findings and shares recommendations on how organizations can improve working conditions, as well as the experience of volunteer advocates. She also shares myriad ways in which she believes this could positively impact the success of animal activism across the board.

*We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Jasmin’s interview with Dr. Krista Hiddema*

Dr. Krista Hiddema is the Executive Director of For The Greater Good, where she consults with animal protection organizations on organizational development, strategic planning, and board governance. Krista holds a doctorate in social sciences, where her research focused on the need to utilize ecofeminist principles in matters of board governance within the animal rights movement, with an emphasis on economic health, ecological health, and social health. She holds five other degrees in human resources, was formerly a partner at an employment law firm, and was also the vice president of human resources for an international software company.

 

“If we do not focus on collective power, then we are never going to win because unearned power, money-based power, is the very definition of privilege. And unearned power is the engine behind much of what’s happening in our movement.” – Dr. Krista Hiddema

Highlights for Episode 685: 

• What good governance looks like and why Krista introduced a governance model in her dissertation that ensures volunteers feel as valued as paid staff 
• Krista’s goals when interviewing women regarding their employment experiences within the institutional animal rights movement
• Why Krista wanted to record the experiences of both cisgender and trans women in her research
• Why she felt it was so crucial to shine a light on these issues
• The limitations of effective altruism
• The experiences of a number of the women Krista interviewed regarding potential negative repercussions for criticizing effective altruism
• The danger of using NDAs to erase women’s stories 
• Where the animal rights movement should look for a grand objective that binds its advocates together 
• The roles of poetry, novels, and art in activism
• Krista shares some of the short and long-term strategies for making women in the animal rights movement feel cared for, including learning more about social justice theory 
• The importance of boards of directors prioritizing healthy workplaces where people feel valued

Resources:

• $1.2M expansion of local cat rescue includes surgical suite, kitten castle and catios
• Brian Kateman on Twitter
• Effective Altruism As It Relates to Animal Rights: An Open Ended Approach to Advocacy
• Join the new Our Hen House Community and RSVP for the launch party with Gene Baur & Myq Kaplan

Connect with Krista Hiddema:

• Krista Hiddema’s Website
• Krista Hiddema on Facebook
• Krista Hiddema on Instagram
• Krista Hiddema’s Blog
• State of the Movement — Krista Hiddema
• Effective Altruism – The Impact is Fear, Corruption and it is also not ‘Good’ for Animals 
• The Good It Promises, the Harm It Does: Critical Essays on Effective Altruism eds. Carol J. Adams,  Alica Crary, and Lori Gruen

Connect with Our Hen House:

• Our Hen House Website
• Our Hen House on Facebook
• Our Hen House on Instagram
• Our Hen House on Twitter

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Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today.

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Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.

The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

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This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.