Let's Hear It For the Gals!
Hey ladies! Happy International Women’s Day! I absolutely love this day because the strength, power, intelligence, beauty, YOU NAME IT, of women should be highlighted and celebrated. Last year, I gave a shout-out to many women in my life who inspired, supported, and loved me unconditionally. This year, I just wanted to talk about how badass it is to be a woman and shine a spotlight on some amazing female accomplishments over the last year.
Let’s be honest, women are the best. We are a beautiful balance of contrasting traits all jumbled up in amazing and unique bodies. We’re firm and nurturing. We’re feisty and delicate. We’re adventurous and laid back. We’re independent and amazing companions. We’re serious and fun loving. We inspire and are inspired. We are complex beings that really make this world go round.
I am constantly inspired by the women around me. Whether it’s those who leave jobs that no longer fulfill them, or those who care about the environment and sustainability, or those who are working hard towards bettering their mental state, or those who pick up and move somewhere else for a sense of adventure or starting over, or those who keep following their passions no matter how hard it may be, or those who love unconditionally and without exceptions. Those actions and traits of those around me lift me up and push me to be a better version of myself every single day. It’s a beautiful thing, being a woman, in a world with so many amazing women to look up to.
That being said, I wanted to highlight some female achievements and accomplishments that have occurred in the last year or so:
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford bravely testified in front of Congress regarding the sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh. Her strength inspired hundreds of women to speak out about their own sexual assaults and harassment.
Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney, and hundreds of gymnasts and victims came forward to testify against disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor, Larry Nassar. These women and their statements helped bring Nassar’s heinous actions to the spotlight and were crucial in his conviction of 40 to 175 years in prison.
New York Times journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey won the Pulitzer Prize for their work that exposed sexual abuse, assault, and harassment from Harvey Weinstein. Their work rocked Hollywood and forced a lot of people to recognize the power imbalance and harmful environment that many women face in the television and film industry.
USA figure skater, Mirai Nagasu became the first American woman to land a triple axel jump at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Only eight women have successfully landed this difficult trick in competition and she was able to use her skills and training to make Olympic history.
Chef Dominique Crenn became the first woman in the US to receive three stars from the Michelin Guide for her San Francisco restaurant, Atelier Crenn. Three stars is the highest rating given and for a woman to be recognized this way in the culinary world is bound to break many barriers moving forward.
Georgia Gibbs and Kate Wasley started the Any Body Co. Instagram to highlight the beauty that is the woman body, at any weight and size. These two friends are size 6 and 16 and while society had a hard time understanding how two friends at different sizes could confidentially pose for photos together, they wanted to celebrate women as they come: different, unique, and beautiful. This body positive page has inspired women all over the world to start treating their bodies with kindness and to recognize that beauty and health doesn’t just come in one size.
Stacey Cunningham became the first female president of the New York Stock Exchange in its 226-year history. Promoted from her position as COO which she was appointed to in 2015, Cunningham stated that she excels in a male-dominated industry by never doubting, “whether or not I should be where I was,” a motto that is sure to inspire any woman who is currently in a male-dominated field.
Which women in your life inspire you? Who are you celebrating on International Women’s Day?