We as feminists have encroached upon new territory when it comes to how women are both portrayed in the media and treated in real life. Gone are the days of feeling guilty about wearing short dresses or censoring ourselves to make others feel comfortable. A new age of women proudly announcing their feminist ideologies before an appreciating audience has arrived and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Let’s give a shout out to some of these iconic women and recognize how they serve as inspiring role models for everyone.
1. Beyoncé
Beyoncé graced the stage at the 2014 VMAs and gave the performance of the year. She stood proudly in front of a gargantuan backdrop with the word ‘FEMINIST’ in bold letters while donning a jaw-dropping look fit for a queen. However, Queen Bey has had several other instances of feminist glory that have not been as highly publicized including the highly empowering messages in her most recent hits. Beyoncé serves as an example of a feminist that can fulfill all of these different and cognitively dissonant roles when it comes to the expectations of women. She is both a sex icon and a mother. A genius musician and a wife. She leads by example and is paving the way towards a new interpretation of what it means to be a woman.
2. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
If we’re talking about Beyoncé it is imperative to also mention Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie who gave a riveting TED Talk on how gender norms have negatively shaped how we all view ourselves. A few of her lines have even been sampled in Beyoncé’s “Flawless.” Adichie ties in the concepts of race, gender, and sexuality into a lot of her writing and continues to be an accomplished face for intersectional feminism.
3. Emma Watson
Emma Watson appeared at the UN to give her speech on gender inequality as a British Goodwill Ambassador. She successfully put many of the frustrations and obstacles that women face in their lives into words and included an attempt to encourage men to take responsibility for change as well by creating a campaign called HeForShe. Emma is not afraid to identify as a feminist and embody the idea of an empowered and successful modern woman.
4. Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj has proven herself to be one of the most inspiring celebrity feminists of our time. In multiple interviews she has expressed her opinions on the views that the rap and hip-hop industry holds towards female rappers. She gracefully demonizes the double standard that exists when labeling a driven female as “bossy” and continually encourages her audience to speak their mind and hold their own as women.
5. Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie has also worked with the UN to end sexual violence as a means of weaponry in war. She is likely most famous for bravely undergoing a double mastectomy which brought the issue of breast cancer to the forefront. Aside from being a great actress and fashion icon, Jolie has recently started directing her own movies including the recent release of Unbroken.
Seeing women like these in the media shapes and alters the outdated views that have been held towards women. It’s important for young girls to be exposed to accomplished and outspoken women in the media who can help inspire them to be more than just their gender.