I currently weigh more than I ever have in my entire life. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind the number I see when I step on the scale if I were happy with the body I see when I stand in the mirror. (Even when I looked my best and had six-pack abs, I weighed much more than anyone, including my doctors, thought I did.) But I am woefully disappointed with both.
I believe this idea so deeply I did a TED Talk on it.
I believe that by sharing her story a woman can fight for equality and grow to love herself enough to believe she deserves it — no matter what society says.
This is why I teach. This is why I started See Jane Write. This is why I write. But sometimes writing is not enough. Sometimes I feel I have to do more.
I am all for celebrating women each and every day of the year, but having an official holiday to do so obviously makes my feminist heart happy.
International Women’s Day was officially adopted by the United Nations in 1975, but was first celebrated as early as 1909 in New York. (Learn more here.)
International Women’s Day is, of course, meant to be a day of celebration, but it’s also meant to be a day of activism. This year’s theme is #PressForProgress, calling for us all to motivate and unite our friends, colleagues, and communities to think, act and be gender inclusive.
What made me a happy feminist this week? Being featured as a Bama Boss Babe by Sleepover Media.
Sleepover Media began by hosting events that quickly became dubbed as Birmingham’s “best girls’ night out” but grew into a local boss babe collective seeking to amplify the voices of women in the arts, entertainment, fashion, beauty, and business.
One way the women of Sleepover Media are setting out to celebrate local lady bosses is through their Bama Boss Babe video series. It was an honor to be featured in the latest edition.
Having a SOL Dance Experience with the ladies of See Jane Write was the highlight of my week.
Being a happy feminist has felt nearly impossible these days, for reasons that are obvious to anyone who keeps up with the news. And as we learn of more and more women who have suffered sexual assault by male politicians and celebrities, what’s almost just as enraging is the “Why is she just now coming forward?” bullshit that so many people — including other women — are saying in response to the allegations.
But the purpose of this post is to add a little happiness to your day, so I’ll step down from my soapbox and share with you 5 things that added a bit of joy to my week.