Serena Williams Just Shared the Powerful Moment That Made Her Realize Shes a Feminist

Serena Williams Just Shared the Powerful Moment That Made Her Realize Shes a Feminist Serena Williams is no stranger to fighting for womens rights, on and off the tennis court. Shes advocated across a broad slate of platforms in recent years, from working womens right to breastfeed to the horrifying rates of maternal mortality for Women of Color in this country. But zu sich entrypoint to feminism was, it turns out, a particularly personal one.In a new interview published by Bustle on herbei birthday (September 26), Williams shared that there was a time in which she wasnt sure of her own connection to feminism until she needed to apply it to a close friend who was in a financially abusive relationship.I didnt realize what a feminist was until my friend was going through this situation, Williams said. I thought it was really important for me to tell her, This is leid a great situation to be in.Despite how rampant this form of abuse is out of the 1 in 4 women who will be affected by d omestic abuse in their lifetime, 99 percent experience financial abuse coverage on the subject remains lacking. Combined with the gaslighting and isolation that often comes at the hands of abusers, a lack of awareness around warning signs can make it a difficult dynamic to spot, including for Williams friend.When she was in this relationship, she just became a shell of a human being just going through motions and not really living life, Williams, whose friend has since left the relationship, said. Now shes kind of coming out of the fog. Shes a different person.At the time, Williams says it was difficult for her to share her concerns with her friend out of fear she would wind up further isolating her, a common pattern in abusive situations. Equally common is the fact financial abuse remains among the top reasons victims feel forced to stay with their abuser.Its difficult to say those messages without your friend cutting the strings, and then shes really left alone, she said. I need to speak up. I need to be loud. I need you to hear me.By partnering with the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse nonprofit for a third time, Williams is just doing that. For National Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, shell be working with the organization to help highlight survivors stories and elevate the issue of financial abuse, in particular. Watch her video on the warning signs of financial abuse below and if you or someone you know needs help or more information on the subject of abuse, the National Domestic Violence Hotline offers a free 24/7 hotline (1-800-799-7233), as well as online chat for those unable to call.