MARCH LIKE A WOMAN
Happy Friday lovelies!
Today’s entry is centred around honouring incredible women of the past present and future who devote/d their time to contributing to gender equality and women’s rights.
You would be right in thinking that international women’s day was two days ago. However, Women’s History Month is for the whole of march and in my opinion, there is no wrong time to whip out the megaphone and share stories of women empowerment.
In honour of Women’s History Month, this blog entry will celebrate a select few of the women who have shaped the feminist movement. For all its misconceptions, feminism at its core is about fighting for women's equality.
The Suffragettes
It is only right to start with the first major cry for feminism - The Suffragettes.
The Suffragettes fought tirelessly for the rights of women, specifically the right to vote. Mary Wollstonecraft, Susan B. Anthony, Alice Stone Blackwell, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Emmeline Pankhurst, Sojourner Truth are just some of the most notable names. Peaceful protests and radical freedom rides resulted in a huge celebration for feminism in 1918 – women got the vote.
Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich contributed to feminism by using her sense of style. The Hollywood actress dressed in men's suits and trousers at a period when doing so was frowned upon and highly scandalous; she did it both on screen and in private, even coming dangerously close to being jailed for dressing in trousers in the 1930s. She is credited with saying, "I dress professionally. Not for myself, not for the general populace, not for style, and not for men." Generations of women after Dietrich were influenced by her fashion sense, giving many of them the courage and confidence to wear a suit.
Maya Angelou
With her revolutionary literature, public speaking and powerful writing, Maya Angelou inspired both women and African Americans to combat gender and race discrimination. In 2011, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her works that covered over 50 years including 36 books, 7 autobiographies and over 50 honorary degrees – incredible.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah started her own television programme in response to the uneven salary she received at the beginning of her career in broadcasting, and from there she established an empire devoted to promoting the growth, advancement, and success of women. ‘I never did consider or label myself a feminist, but I don't really think you can be a woman in this environment and not be.’ Since, she has created the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, the Oprah Winfrey Network, and her words are quoted endlessly, as they continue to drive the movement.
Emma Watson
One of the newest voices for feminism, took the world by storm with a powerful speech she gave in front of the UN that introduced a new effort for gender equality. We were all reminded by Watson's work for the UN that feminism isn't just a fight for women; it's a fight for men to engage in too. Since then, she has started numerous discussions about what it means to be a feminist in the modern era, including the #HeForShe movement, her own feminist book club, and an unceasing feminist presence for the newest generations.
All of the women namedropped in this blog are revolutionaries. Role models for their time and will be remembered by many for their impact on the world of women’s rights. But it is also important to remember that people of any gender, standing in the face of female oppression, fighting the day-to-day symptoms of misogyny is a tremendous win for the movement. Womankind, a global women’s rights organisation we make an annual donation to use the hashtag #EVERYDAYFEMINISM. Their tagline being ‘little by little, a little becomes a lot’ – how fitting. Because saying no to sexism, in any way, holds power and is the only way to bring about meaningful change.
Have a wonderful weekend lovelies
xoxo
Reference list
Riddell, F. (2018). Suffragettes, violence, and militancy. The British Library.
https://www.bl.uk/votes-for-women/articles/suffragettes-violence-and-militancy
Sky HISTORY TV channel. British women who changed the world. Available at: https://www.history.co.uk/article/british-women-who-changed-the-world.
Boe, M. (2021). 32 Icons Who’ve Changed the Course of Feminism | InHerSight.
https://www.inhersight.com/blog/women-to-know/feminist-icons.