When I was in high school, a nuclear slur was calling a girl a “feminist”. That meant you were probably butch, mean, unattractive, frigid, angry, and humorless.
I was called a feminist on many occaisions – and called myself a feminist. I still consider myself a feminist, (I dont’ get asked if I’m a feminist anymore) but it seems to have become a historical hanger rather than a contemporary identity.
I worked with some wonderful women directors and artistic directors when I was an actor, and felt a kind of kindred spirit with them during those times.
This article in the New York Times brought back some of the feelings from that long time ago era – when being a feminist was a stigma.
New York Times article on: Theater Female Directors in New York