Women’s History Month is all about empowered women empowering women. Each year, we celebrate phenomenal females who have blazed the trails in their fields and life in general for women all over the world. It’s only right that we pay tribute to Frida Kahlo: revolutionary artist and a badass lady who taught us to express ourselves to the fullest. Here’s what makes her so inspirational.
1. She turned chaos into creation.
“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.” – Frida Kahlo
When she was 18, Kahlo was in a tragic bus accident. Most of her body had been affected by the crash, forcing her to be bed bound for the rest of her life. Despite the constant pain, this inflicted on her, Frida Kahlo never let her physical limitations become artistic limitations. Her mother built her a special paint station for her bed and Frida got to painting from there (She’s the reason why I justify writing in bed!).
2. She once showed up at an art show via ambulance.
Towards the end of her life, Kahlo underwent serious medical problems in connection to her horrible accident. When a hospital warned against her attendance at a solo art show, she decided to make a compromise while riding in style. She rode in an ambulance to the exhibit, showing everyone that she still had it.
3. Kahlo dreamed of other professions.
Art wasn’t always the endgame career goal of Frida. When she had polio as a child, she became inspired to help others via medicine as people were helping her. In fact, the only reason why this career couldn’t be carried out was because of the bus accident. Her childhood motivations, however, still portray the courage and persistence of women in STEM. That’s what we call a #GIRLBOSS!
4. She is the queen of the original “selfie”
“I paint myself because I am so often alone, because I am the subject I know best.” – Frida Kahlo
About a third of Kahlo’s work included surreal self-portraits that gave us an intimate peek into her world and environment. This was far from being a narcissistic choice on her end, but rather an honest reflection on her life. These paintings also hold a very key lesson: instead of struggling to connect with other people, we should first get to know ourselves so we can reveal ourselves to others in the best way possible.
5. She was extremely proud of her culture.
Although her fame prompted her to travel all over the world, Frida still seemed to find her way back to Mexico. She was born in and died in the same exact house, which exemplifies her fierce loyalty to her culture and family. Today, she is an icon for the Mexican heritage because of how much beauty and originality she contributed.
We are forever grateful for all that Frida Kahlo has done for women. Her legacy will live on in art, freedom of self-expression, and the bravery of women worldwide to stand for their right and to fight oppression.
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