Well congratulations, ladies; we've done it. We made it. We've survived our worlds.
We've survived our varied pasts, our own families and relationships. We've survived our countries and our cultures and even our own bodies. We've survived men and the media and, most surprisingly, we've survived
each other.
To commemorate our survival, let’s stop for a moment to appreciate all that we've accomplished throughout the millennia: be they political successes, social successes, or personal successes, we as a gender have not merely survived, but have
prevailed. And we even get our own month to flaunt our prevalence!
Here at Hello Luvvy, we've always wanted confidence to be a chief value in our writing, projects, images, and events. Seeing that this past Saturday was International Women’s Day, I wanted to dedicate my weekly post to really considering this year’s official IWD theme, “Inspiring Change.” This is a very personal topic for me, as my own great-grandmother was among the first women allowed to vote in America. So I'd like to begin this column by paying homage to the women before me who didn't have the freedoms, rights, or privileges that I've had, starting with Eve in the garden. Kidding!
But not quite: see, since we humans started recording our own history, women have gotten a rather bad rap. Whether we’re discussing Eve and her hankering for some naughty fruit, or Helen of Troy, or Cleopatra, or Marie Antoinette, or Queen Mary, or Pocahontas, or Marilyn Monroe – surely you see a pattern emerging here – there is always a convenient way to put historical or mythological blame upon the women in these well-known stories. But rarely does anyone stop to consider who actually constructed these stories; as the old saying goes, “History is recorded by the victorious,” or in reality, those who could read and write, so in other words, Men.
I’m normally reluctant when it comes to blaming men for the problems women face, but in the case of our historical relevance, we were given the proverbial shaft. Now, however, I would say that the burden of change falls to us, ladies; we must, as Gandhi put it, “be the change [we] want to see in the world.” We no longer have to wait around, asking politely for a chance at professional or social power. We no longer have to feel isolated or weak or dependent upon others. We no longer have to choose between being mothers or professionals, between our families and our passions.
For a perfect example of female empowerment, glance back through the photos from Hello Luvvy’s recent
NWA Fashion week coverage: every woman involved – from the models, to the designers, to the producers and volunteers – has created for herself an identity and an influence that can only generate and inspire continued feminine grace.
Or consider Merry Kline, owner of
Belle and Blush. She perfectly represents the modern woman: smart, driven, and business-savvy, while still able to appreciate the elements of beauty and style that define traditional femininity.
While it’s no secret that the professional realm is run by women these days, I’m also endlessly amazed by the changing face of family leadership. Women like our very own
Kelsey Hency (travel writer) and
Kaitlyn Lee (DIY/ craft writer) beautifully balance the challenges of motherhood with their respective pursuits of education, alongside weekly research and writing for Hello Luvvy. All while exuding confidence and grace.
It’s no secret that we here at Hello Luvvy believe that girls rule the world. Rather than give you a history lesson on all the women that have affected change to this crazy culture, I thought I’d instead issue you a challenge to create change within your own lives. Challenge some gender roles. Learn a skill that you perhaps previously considered a “boy thing.” Fight for something you believe in. Wear something crazy. Apply for that job/ promotion/ position that you thought you’d never get. Write about your personal story so to ensure that your own history will be remembered – a luxury that our female predecessors did not have.
And know that we at Hello Luvvy support you.
