She Inspires Me

Unless you live under a rather large social media rock you will likely know that today is International Women’s Day. A day to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and today, but also a day to reflect on our progress in the strive for equality. I feel as though I spend a lot of time on this blog moaning about one thing or another and although there is still much to moan about I thought that a more positive way to mark IWD2016 would be to share some of the women that constantly inspire me in my everyday life at the moment. So without further ado:

Huda Sha’rawi

I’m currently writing a piece about how women in Egypt have used their dress to voice their political agency throughout history and this woman and her comrades dominates my reading material at the moment! Not only did she tremendously influence her husband to lobby European powers for independence in 1919 she also was one of the first women to cast off her veil following independence as a declaration of a new Egypt for women. Her memoirs – The Harem Years – are a fascinating account of what it was to be an elite women in Cairo during the early twentieth century and she also founded Egypt’s first women’s organisation – The Egyptian Feminist Union – in 1923 which to this day works to eliminate gender based violence in Egypt. I love learning about the women history forgot, the HERstory project is great place to learn more about this and their work continues to inspire me also.

Adele

Not exactly a Suffragette I know but for me personally Adele is an amazing role model for women and girls everywhere. She stands against everything that is wrong with the music industry and proves that talent alone can succeed. And talented she most definitely is. I love the way she has kept her family out of the spotlight and not bowed to industry pressure to be stereotypically ‘sexy.’ Her confidence, ambition and integrity inspires me.

Sylvia Plath

I am currently reading The Bell Jar yet again and realising just how amazing it was for Plath to write this book when she did. It tackles so many issues of contemporary society and particularly the idea that a woman needs a man by her side. It would be wrong not to mention Harper Lee also, who passed recently, as her work inspired me greatly at such a young. Scout taught me to be ambitious and always speak my mind. In a slightly less sincere way the recent passing of Louise Rennison, a British fiction author, saddened me. Her books taught me that girls could be funny and crude and that there was nothing wrong with that!

Jenny Beaven

At last week’s Oscar’s Jenny Beaven won the Oscar for costume design. As she approached the stage it became apparent that no one was applauding her. What was distinct about her was her ‘lack’ of ball gown, heels, fake tan, fake hair etc. She was completely herself and refused to beautify herself in order to celebrate her success. What an inspiration to women and girls.

Claire Underwood

Alright, I’m not sure this one strictly counts but upon the release of Season 4 of House of Cards my undying love for Claire Underwood’s character has been revived. Although cold and ruthless at times she is incredibly ambitious and determined not to let her husband bring her down. In the words of Beyonce ‘don’t think I’m just his little wife.’ I love that House of Cards director Beau Williamson is using his platform to send out such a positive, dare I say feminist, message to women. For more on my borderline obsession with Claire see this post. 

Mona Eltahawy

Again, this is someone who inspires me at the moment because I am reading and listening to a lot of her work for the project I am writing. For those who don’t’ know Mona’s story, she was sexually assaulted by the Egyptian military following the protests against the Morsi government in a post Arab-Spring Egypt. Although that most definitely does not define her: she has since dedicated her career to exposing women’s rights issues across the MENA region including FGM, virginity tests, forced marriage and domestic violence. Her book Headscarves and Hymens is insightful, brave and provocative and I love the way she handles the cultural relativism argument:

“I insist on the right to critique my culture and my faith in ways that I would reject from an outsider” Headscarves and Hymens p. 29 

Zainab Salbi

In the same way that Malala Yousef continues to inspire me, the advocacy and activism of women like Zainab Salbi inspires me everyday. Salbi established Women for Women International in 1993 where she began helping 30 women, now in 2016 the organisation helps approximately 420,000 women survivors of conflict worldwide. This is real work that creates change in post-conflict societies for women and girls and improves the lives of some of the most vulnerable.

My friends and family

The wonderful women I surround myself with on a daily basis inspire me always. My friends, some of whom are facing extreme adversity in their lives at the moment, continue to make me roar with laughter on a daily basis. My mum, who owns her own business advising clients on European spending and runs a household and is funny and kind and conscientious. She has taught me so much and will always inspire me. My sister, who upon recently deciding she is a socialist recently is not afraid to stand up to her male colleagues at college and was recently described as a ‘stella intellect.’ My grandma, who recently told me an inspiring anecdote about how when she was my age she learnt to rally drive to prove she could ‘beat the boys.’ 

There are so many more women from all walks of life I could include here. This post could be pages and pages long but for now these are just a few women who, off the top of my head this random Tuesday morning, inspire me every single day. They inspire me to dream big, think about other and always remember what’s important in life. They also inspire me to keep fighting and do whatever I can to keep fighting the fight against global sexism from the big things to the small things. Happy International Women's Day - there is so much more to do but let's not forget the amazing women who have already done so much.