Many people have asked me about my choice in spelling womyn as I have, with the “y” instead of with an “e” as is traditionally used. So I thought I’d post some of my thoughts on the subject.
Over the last few years I’ve been challenged to look at what it really means to be a womyn in today’s society. I have struggled with the continued inequalities and injustices we endure daily just as I have celebrated our on-going triumphs and advances. The word “womyn” is used in various ways by various groups of people. I will tell you how I use it here on this site and in the workshops I facilitate.
I use the spelling “womyn” to describe she who identifies as a womyn–whether in body, in soul, or in both; she who is gay, straight, bi, trans; she who has already or is striving to embrace her strength, beauty, talents, worth, etc in her own right; she who seeks to empower herself to give sound to her story, and volume to her voice. I wanted to find a word that would embrace and embody the vastest notion of womynhood.
I have opted not to use the spelling “wombyn” because not all who identify as womyn have a womb and because not all who have a womb, create their identities from the potential fruits of said womb–whether by personal choice or by nature’s. I want to affirm the complete womynness that can be achieved apart from the womb.
At In the Words of Womyn, using the spelling of “womyn” is not at all about being anti-men. I have deep appreciation and affection for my brothers and do not seek to dishonor them. Rather it is my vision and mission to empower womyn to feel and to know–down to the very marrow of their souls–that they possess within themselves all they need to be strong, elegant, courageous, intelligent, gifted, competent, insightful, savvy, nurturing, resourceful, valued, successful, visionary, sought-after, individuals.
It is simply about being pro-womyn.
I hope this helps to answer some of your questions. I invite and encourage you to comment or email any further questions or clarifications you have about my choice to use this spelling.