As a woman, I find inspiration in other women. I think about the CEOs, scholars, single mothers, working women, etc. The ones that have paved the way for me to be who I am, especially the women across history. My environment includes plenty of reading and writing, so it’s no surprise that I’m drawn toward feminist writers. Here is one that has inspired me heavily today: Jennette McCurdy.
I remember growing up to the iCarly theme song, watching this Nickelodeon show whenever I could, channeling my personality to be just like Sam Puckett (who was played by McCurdy from 2007 to 2012). I felt like the angst, rage, and outspokenness of her personality was the first form of feminism that I could understand.
Jennette McCurdy was a child star who appeared on multiple television shows like, CSI, Malcolm in the Middle, Victorious, and Sam & Cat. Her early acting career was filled with constant auditions, memorizing multiple scripts and lines, and plenty more that she opens up about in her recent memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. She released in 2022 with Simon & Schuster Publishing.
Growing up poor, working from a young age, and struggles with mental health made up McCurdy’s young life. Her struggling relationship with her mom that eventually leads to her blossoming adulthood after her mom’s death allows for her personal drive and motivation to kick in.
Her opening up and intimacy about struggling with her mental health and working towards healing is what continued my draw to her. This time, as a 22 year old who has also struggled with my mental health and currently working towards healing. McCurdy’s personal details and inner-dialogue make this feel like a journal; it feels like we are right there in those exact moments with her, and I felt seen and heard for the first time in a while.
The bravery, excitement, let down, and resilience in this memoir show readers the hardships she went through, but also how she consistently believed in herself. Putting something like that into writing was a means of taking accountability and using it as an opportunity and resource to help her grow.
Her strength and uniqueness in sharing her talents with the world, mental health, and her rocky relationship with her mom speaks loudly to me. My struggles with similar mental health created a comfortable feeling for me in reading this memoir. Knowing that writing something this personal is strenuous yet relieving to share is what I most look forward to in a career within academia.
While I am not pursuing acting talent, it will be tough to act like I’m Glad My Mom Died and McCurdy’s footprint on my personality and childhood were not impactful and inspiring to be open and honest with myself and the world around me.