Inna Shevchenko

Inna Shevchenko, born on June twenty-third, nineteen ninety, is a prominent Ukrainian feminist activist and the driving force behind the international women's movement FEMEN. Known for her bold demonstrations, often conducted topless, Shevchenko challenges what she identifies as the oppressive forces of patriarchy, particularly in the realms of dictatorship, religion, and the sex industry. Her fearless approach has garnered her a higher profile than many of her peers within the organization.

Shevchenko's activism gained significant attention in Ukraine when, in two thousand twelve, she famously cut down a four-meter high Christian cross in central Kyiv using a chainsaw. This act of defiance was emblematic of her commitment to confronting societal norms and injustices. In two thousand thirteen, she was granted asylum in France, where she continues her work by leading FEMEN France from a training base she established in Paris.

In July two thousand thirteen, Olivier Ciappa, who co-designed a new French stamp depicting Marianne, acknowledged Shevchenko as the main inspiration for the depiction, further solidifying her influence in contemporary feminist discourse. In two thousand twenty-five, she authored 'A Letter From The East' (Une Lettre de l'Est), a poignant novel that draws from the testimonies of numerous Ukrainian women who have returned from Russian captivity, exploring the harrowing experiences of war in Ukraine. This impactful work was awarded the two thousand twenty-five Prix des Femmes de Lettres.