Happy Women’s History Month, collegiettes™! As some of you may know, March is the annual declared month that highlights and celebrates the contributions of powerful women all around the globe. This week, I’ll be celebrating Women’s History Month by sharing some inspiring young female entrepreneurs, artists, and leaders and the ways they’ve inspired me through their work.
Shero No. 1: St. Vincent Every time I think of St. Vincent, I almost want to cry from how much I admire her. I’ve seen her perform twice at Bonnaroo, and each time, I couldn’t believe how enrapturing her on-stage presence is. She’s performed with artists, such as Arcade Fire, Andrew Bird, Grizzly Bear, and Talking Head’s lead singer, David Byrne. She’s has made a real fuss in the music industry with three striking album releases in a row. Her melodic voice and dark guitar riffs have made her a force to be reckoned with. Her newest self-titled album was released Feb. 25, and she’s currently on tour. If you haven’t already, check out her new songs “Rattlesnake” and “Birth in Reverse.”
Shero No. 2: Tavi Gevinson Gevinson has made some incredible strides in the literary, fashion, and acting businesses, all while spreading her girl-power, feminist agenda. At the age of 11, she already started writing her own fashion blog, and she quickly began receiving media attention for her eccentric style. Life in the spotlight eventually led Gevinson to found Rookie Magazine, an online magazine focused on issues that impact teenage girls. Her drive and experiences have led her to work with celebrities and entrepreneurs, such as Lena Dunham, John Waters, and Jon Hamm. She also earned a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list two years in a row. Check out Rookie Magazine here.
Shero No. 3: Laverne Cox I can’t wait to talk about this lady here, especially because, thanks to the efforts of UF’s Women’s Student Association, Pride Student Union, and a heap-full of other organizations and individuals, she is coming to our campus this month! Some of you may recognize Cox from her role on Netflix’s original series Orange is the New Black, but this woman’s talents and efforts don’t end at her acting career. Cox has made amazing strides in trans* activism, a narrative that has been largely ignored throughout the history of both women’s rights and gay rights movements. Cox’s portrayal of her character, Sophia, on the hit show is one of the first portrayals of transgender representation on television. The fact that we are able to witness the transformative movements she’s helped make for trans women of color is amazing.
If you’re not already crazy inspired by these breathtaking young women, I don’t know what will inspire you. We’re constantly reminded of the phenomenal contributions and revelations that women bring to the table every day, and it would be a mistake for us to think that each of us doesn’t have the same ability to create real change in the world. Remember, Beyoncé has the same number of hours in a day that we do.