For me, feminism is about equality. So, when someone works for a Wall Street firm and says they're a feminist, my eyes are going to roll.

In this quote, Jodie Evans, a feminist activist and co-founder of CodePink, articulates her view of feminism as being fundamentally about equality. She emphasizes that, for her, feminism should be aligned with values that promote social justice and fairness for all. Evans expresses skepticism towards individuals, particularly those working at institutions like Wall Street, who claim to be feminists while supporting systems of capitalism that often perpetuate inequality. Her statement highlights a critique of how some people may adopt the label of feminism without addressing the broader societal structures that continue to disadvantage marginalized groups.

Evans' eyes "rolling" at those who identify as feminists while working for Wall Street reflects her disapproval of what she sees as a disconnection between the values of feminism and the practices of certain economic systems. For her, true feminism goes beyond individual empowerment or career success—it must also challenge systems of oppression that contribute to gender inequality. Evans seems to argue that a feminist cannot fully support institutions like Wall Street, which she perceives as being rooted in inequitable practices that exacerbate wealth disparities and contribute to social injustice.

Her comment also reflects a broader conversation within feminist movements about the tension between mainstream feminism and radical feminism. While many mainstream feminists have pushed for greater access to traditionally male-dominated spaces, such as the corporate world, Evans is more critical, believing that the true fight for gender equality cannot simply be about women's access to power within existing power structures. Instead, it requires a fundamental rethinking of those structures themselves.

The origin of this quote lies in Jodie Evans’ long-standing activism for social justice and her commitment to challenging oppressive systems. As a co-founder of CodePink, a peace and social justice organization, Evans has consistently advocated for a more intersectional approach to feminism, one that links gender equality to broader issues of economic justice, peace, and anti-imperialism. This quote encapsulates her belief that true feminism must challenge capitalism and other systems that perpetuate inequality.