Looking for the perfect patriarchy fighting feminist kitchen gifts? You're in the right place.
Fighting the patriarchy and enjoying the process of making a perfectly shaped loaf of bread, kicking back with a glass of wine, or a delicious bowl of pasta aren't mutually exclusive. You can't smash a glass ceiling on an empty stomach, after all.
Though feminists fought, and continue to fight, to change the perception of the kitchen being "a woman's place," we all need to eat. And plenty of feminists can do both — fight the patriarchy and make a mean tuna newberg. Or spaghetti sauce. Or focaccia.
From snarky and sincere feminist aprons, to glassware celebrating iconic women from history, to, yes, feminist cast iron pans — these feminist kitchen gifts are perfect for anyone who likes breaking bread and glass ceilings.
1. Smash the Garlic and the Patriarchy Apron (now also available in plus size!)
I love this "smash the garlic and the patriarchy" chambray apron by Boston-based feminist kitchen brand Overseasoned so much I wore it in my headshots and branding photos (on the right).
I get compliments on it all the time, and it's the perfect way to show your love of garlic and hatred of the patriarchy while also keeping your clothes clean in the kitchen. Any feminist who loves to cook will love having this apron on hand!
2. Persist and Resist Rocks Glass Set by Meg Moorhouse
When Mitch McConnell attempted to silence Elizabeth Warren in 2017 a feminist rallying cry was born: Nevertheless, she persisted. Eventually it was shortened to the more Twitter-friendly #ShePersisted, and today you can find it most often in a rhyming pair: PERSIST and RESIST.
These glasses are the perfect feminist kitchen gifts for anyone who loves kicking back with a cocktail at the end of a long day/week/month/lifetime of persisting and resisting in the face of overwhelming patriarchy.
From the listing: "If you're a feminist who likes cocktails, it's only logical to drink your cocktails from glassware made by feminists. [...] Every time you make an old-fashioned or sip some seltzer, you'll be reminded to keep fighting the good fight…and to keep rewarding yourself with a beverage in your downtime."
3. Feed the Resistance: Recipes + Ideas for Getting Involved by Julia Turshen
Part beginner's guide to activism, part cookbook, Feed the Resistance by Julia Turshen is the perfect gift for any burgeoning feminist activist who also loves cooking. This will be right at home amongst the cookbooks in any feminist kitchen!
From the book description: "These dishes foster community and provide sustenance for the mind and soul, including a dozen of the healthy, affordable recipes Turshen is known for, plus over 15 more recipes from a diverse range of celebrated chefs. With stimulating lists, extensive resources, and essays from activists in the worlds of food, politics, and social causes, Feed the Resistance is a must have handbook for anyone hoping to make a difference."
4. I Drink Because You Don't Vote Wine Glass
Do I really need to explain this one? It's a 12 oz stemless wineglass emblazoned with the phrase: "I drink because you don't vote." It's a message that'll resonate with every feminist (who drinks) and will be right at home on bar carts and in kitchens.
If I had any room to spare in my cupboards I'd take 6 of these, please and thank you.
From the listing: "Also obviously we don't condone self-medicating. go to a therapist and take ur meds!"
5. Eat the Pastryarchy Iron-on Patch
Tell the world you love pastry and hate the patriarchy with this embroidered iron-on patch. Featuring a pink ribbon that says: "Eat the pastryarchy" (get it?) it includes two sprinkled donuts, a cupcake, and a gorgeous looking pie. My standard bakery order. All made from thread!
Add this feminist foodie patch to your backpack, fanny pack, denim jacket, canvas apron, or market tote. The patch is 2.5" wide and 2" tall and ships from The Coin Laundry in Montana.
From the listing: "Get woke, donut." Definitely check out some of the other items on offer in their shop — there's some really fun stuff there!
6. Lodge Rosie The Riveter 10.25" Cast Iron Pan
Lodge introduced a limited edition version of this 10.25" cast iron Rosie the Riveter pan in 2020, but it proved so popular they made it a permeant inclusion. The cooking surface of the pan is smooth, while the bottom has an engraved portrait of Rosie and her iconic "We Can Do It!" message.
Cast iron pans last forever, which makes this not just one of the best feminist kitchen gifts, but it's also an heirloom. Meaning, it can be passed down to their kids and grandkids if they choose to have them. (And if not, it'll be a great find for someone at an estate sale or Goodwill one day.)
7. I Scream For Reproductive Rights / Reproductive Justice Tea Towel
I scream, you scream, we all scream for reproductive rights! This is the second item from Overseasoned to feature on this list and it's because everything in Amy's shop is so great I couldn't pick just one to share. Reproductive justice is such a foundational part of feminism, making this feminist kitchen towel the perfect gift for your favorite foodie feminist.
The "reproductive rights" kitchen towel can be found on Etsy, while the updated "reproductive justice" towel is available on the Overseasoned website.
8. Make Your Own Damn Sandwich Print
I can't remember who it was who once told me that, when men attempted to troll her by telling her to "get back in the kitchen" she would respond: "Fine, but you have to eat what I make and you can't ask what's in it." It's a great, equally troll-y response that I have borrowed and used plenty of times since.
Another valid, more direct response: "MAKE YOUR OWN DAMN SANDWICH." This vintage style print is the perfect addition to any feminist kitchen and makes a great feminist kitchen gift!
9. Pasta Not Patriarchy Embroidered T-Shirt (up to 5X!)
This 100% organic cotton black t-shirt is embroidered with what just might be my (and your) new life motto: PASTA NOT PATRIARCHY. The shirt is available in sizes up to a 5X and also features macaroni, penni, shells, and bowtie pasta embroidered over the left chest area. The only thing it's missing is the sauce!
These feminist foodie t-shirts are made to order and ship from the UK so if you're U.S.-based, factor in additional shipping time.
10. Ruth Bader Ginsburg Quote Embroidered Apron
This dark denim apron is embroidered with Ruth Bader Ginsburg's likeness and one of her most iconic quotes: "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made."
It's a great addition to any collection of feminist kitchen attire and (not to put too much pressure on an apron) will protect your clothes from stains just like RBG protected women's rights from being trampled all over.
The best part? This apron has FOUR POCKETS. I know it's not the same as a dress-with-pockets, but four pockets in an apron is still plenty to cheer about. The strings are extra long at 42" and the neck strap is adjustable, too.
11. My Favorite Season is Fall of the Patriarchy Mug
Every season is the fall of the patriarchy if you ask me, but there's something especially delightful about felling the patriarchy in the fall. Fill this mug with your favorite cocoa, coffee, or pumpkin spiced drink, then sip deeply while you donate to your fave feminist organizations (I recommend NNAF, personally).
A worthy addition to any feminist's kitchen coffee supplies!
This feminist mug is available in two sizes and with an orange or white handle, because being a feminist means having choices. (Yup, that's definitely why.) The design appears on both sides of the mug, making it ideal for right or left handed people. We love some lefty accessibility up in here!
12. Canvassing or Doing the Dishes Tea Towel
I think we can all agree that the worst part of spending time in the kitchen is doing the dishes. It takes forever, it's not fun, and you always end up with an uncomfortable wet spot on the front of your shirt. But I digress. Now imagine that all the time you ever spent doing dishes was instead spent canvassing or phone banking or volunteering.
This feminist kitchen towel isn't for drying dishes or mopping up spills, no, that's what these other towels are for. No, this towel is a reminder that there are more important things than doing the dishes — like taking action to make the world a better, more equal place.
13. Rosie the Riveter Cookie Cutter
Need cookies for your next feminist fundraiser? Bake up a batch of these Rosie the Riveter cookies and you'll be sure to sell out in no time. Then donate the proceeds to your fave women's org.
This Rosie the Riveter cookie cutter comes with a "We Can Do It!" speech bubble cutter, for a pair of cookies that'll be sure to have the patriarchy shaking. Use the guidelines to flood the cookie with royal icing, or start with a super flavorful cookie base that can support itself — just like Rosie.
14. Historic Women Who Dared Wine Glasses
These "women who dared" 12 oz stemless wine glasses are emblazoned with just some of the many, many accomplishments of four inspiring women: Sojourner Truth, Marie Curie, Harriet Tubman, and Clara Barton.
From the listing: "Human rights. Medicine. Suffrage. Science. Smart, courageous women made big things happen throughout history. Toast to those who dare to challenge social norms and push for progress with these wine glasses featuring the signatures and writings of famous feminist icons."
Buy the glasses individually or as a set of four — trailblazing women have to stick together, after all!
15. Rage Baking: The Transformative Power of Flour, Fury, and Women's Voices
In the aftermath of the 2016 election I processed a lot of my feelings of rage, anger, betrayal, and frustration by baking. A lot. I took action, I protested, I signed petitions, I called my congresspeople, I did all the things. But in those quiet moments at home when I used to be able to put my feet up and relax, there was a nervous, frantic buzzing under my skin that I just couldn't shake. Baking was how I worked those feelings out.
I'm not the only frustrated feminist who found comfort in the kitchen. Published in early 2020, Rage Baking is a collection of recipes and conversations of how women processed their feelings of rage and frustration and anger through baking.
From the book description: "Rage Baking offers more than 50 cookie, cake, tart, and pie recipes—with beautiful photography by Jerelle Guy—to help relieve these emotions. And it goes further. Inside you’ll also find inspirational essays, reflections, and interviews with well-known bakers and impassioned feminists and activists alike to help motivate you to take action and organize in your communities."
Proceeds of the book go to EMILY's List, an organization dedicated to supporting women running for office.
16. The Future is Female Plate
This pink-on-pink "Future is Female" plate is the perfect way to serve appetizers at your next feminist book club. The plates are handmade to order in Ukraine, and come in two different sizes. You'll definitely want to check out the rest of the plates on offer in the Morra Ceramics shop — they've got a lot of fun, feminist tableware on sale.
From the listing: "This is handmade plate made with clay, covered with glaze and wax finish. We are using only eco-friendly products that are safe for a daily basis use." Hand wash only recommended.
For more of my product roundups, reviews, and gift guides click here. For a master list of my favorite kitchen tools click here.
MKL
Love, love, love the list. And frustrated when links didn’t work or item was sold out for the two things I really wanted to gift.
Rebecca
So glad you liked it! Can you tell me what links didn’t work? I’ll fix them!
Patricia Holliday
I love all of your gift guides it's like they are all perfectly suited for me haha
Daniel Destefano
You're working way to hard to alienate any of your subscribers with politics.