Her Story
About Isabel
Isabel Dianatnejad is the editor and co-creator of Total Woman Victory, a quarterly feminist newsletter she founded in 2024 to unite women around the world and champion feminist causes. Under her leadership, the publication has built a presence within feminist media circles, with its team appearing on podcasts such as Matriarchy Times and receiving mention on In Too Deep. Alongside her editorial work, Isabel is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Policy as part of the inaugural cohort at Cornell University's Brooks School of Public Policy, building on the bachelor's degree in International/Global Studies she earned cum laude from American University in Washington, DC, where she also minored in Computer Science and Environmental Science.
Isabel's academic work sits at the intersection of feminism and environmental science, with particular attention to how climate change reshapes women's economic class positions, drives displacement, and produces health consequences — including heat-related illness — that remain understudied. Her scholarship extends to the study of wartime sexual violence against women, reflecting a broader commitment to examining gendered vulnerability across both environmental and conflict-related contexts. Throughout her academic journey, she has been recognized as a Dean Scholar, received the Presidential Scholarship, and maintained a place on the dean's list every semester at American University.
Beyond the classroom, Isabel has dedicated herself to hands-on service, including a hurricane-relief trip to the British Virgin Islands, ongoing volunteer work with animals at ACCT Philly since 2022, and individual homelessness outreach across Washington DC, Philadelphia, Worcester, and Ithaca. A member of the women's rights organization Filia, she draws inspiration from feminist writers and activists spanning the 1800s through the 1980s, as well as from mentors such as Dr. Horace Bartolo and Cornell's Dr. Anne Byrne. Guided by a belief in perseverance and open-minded collaboration, Isabel continues to use both her writing and her research to build global solidarity among women.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Isabel
01What do you attribute your success to?
I owe much of my success to the women I've had the privilege of working alongside on the newsletter, as well as to the generations of female writers who have shaped my thinking. The feminists of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, and even the women who fought for rights in the 1800s, continue to inspire me through their writing to this day.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Some of the most meaningful guidance I've received has come from mentors like Dr. Horace Bartolo and Dr. Anne Byrne, the program director at Cornell whose work focuses on food insecurity. Their example has shaped how I approach my own career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to keep pushing forward and to keep believing in yourself. You'll inevitably encounter people who doubt the positions you hold, but staying true to what you hope to pursue is the only real path to success.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Communication presents real challenges, particularly when working virtually. Even within feminist spaces, there are many different interpretations of the work, which can create friction. I've found the best way through that is recognizing that everyone has knowledge to offer that others may not have, and staying open-minded is how we learn from one another.
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