Feminists are often characterized by people who don't like them as strident. Strident describes their voices, raised in anger, as loud and harsh. Being a strident feminist isn't very ladylike. But making less money than a man when you do the same work is worse.
Strident is related to the Latin word strix "screech owl." This is a kind of owl that doesn't hoot. It screeches in a strident way. Don't confuse strident with striding, which means walking quickly, with a wide step. If you're angry at your brother, you might come striding into his room and begin making a strident case for why he has done you wrong.
