Feminist Icons of Every Generation

tumay aslay March 1, 2023

Social Media Influencers We Love

By Ariel Neidermeier

If we’re going to be under the influence of social media, then why not be influenced by feminist thought leaders who use their platforms to amplify issues we care about, like gender equity, social justice, environmentalism, human rights and progressive change? We rounded up influencers from each generation whose accounts inspire us and give us hope. These women are political leaders, activists, poets and media personalities who use their social media accounts to create a discourse of change that we’re here for.

GEN Z

Greta Thunberg

“You are never too small to make a difference.”

Since Greta Thunberg’s rise as a world-renowned activist of the global effort to combat climate change, she has been a consistent voice of transparency, accountability and change. Today, Thunberg is the face of the global climate movement, breathing new life into the issues from a Gen Z perspective. Since 2019, she’s led weekly Fridays Strike For Climate protests across the globe that draw millions of people — especially young people — documenting each “climate strike” meticulously on her Instagram. Openly identifying her autism, she has also become an advocate for neurodiversity awareness and destigmatization. Following her on social media brings with it a steady flow of inspiration, practical ideas for tackling the climate crisis and a reminder that consistency is the mark of true activism.
Instagram: @gretathunberg

Amanda Gorman

“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”

Most of us recall Amanda Gorman’s stirring reading of her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” at President Biden’s inauguration on January 20, 2021. Her performance made her the youngest individual to serve as an inaugural poet and the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States. On her Instagram, she often posts original poems inspired by the pressing issues of the day, reflecting her ongoing work to write poetry that infuses the challenges confronting the nation with heart and hope. Follow Gorman’s Instagram account for poetry that spurs collective action and inspires optimism in the process.
Instagram: @amandaascgorman

Nadya Okamoto

“In a dream world, periods would not be gendered. It would not be equated with womanhood or fertility.”

Nadya Okamoto is the co-founder of August, a lifestyle brand and online community working to reimagine periods. She is also the founder of Period.org, an organization fighting to end period poverty and one of the biggest global youth-run nonprofits in the world. Her TikTok, which boasts over 4 million followers, reflects her mission to destigmatize the way we talk about periods. Her open approach to discussing the intimate details of her menstrual cycle is already creating waves — and change — in the process. Okamoto raises our awareness of how Gen Z is normalizing periods and revolutionizing the use of gender-inclusive language like “menstruators” and “non-menstruators.” It’s a bloody fight and one we’re here for.
TikTok: @nadyaokamoto
Instagram: @nadyaokamoto

MILLENNIALS

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

“Our democracy is designed to speak truth to power.”

Progressive political phenom Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, or just simply AOC, is no stranger to influencing change using her social media platform. The U.S. Representative to the Bronx and Queens is the youngest woman and youngest Latina to ever serve in the United States Congress. AOC is a leading member of a new generation of progressive politicians working collaboratively to back national legislative efforts like the Green New Deal resolution and the Build Back Better Act. Reflecting her work, AOC’s Instagram account is an ongoing call-to-action to progressive initiatives. She skillfully uses video to address her audience directly and posts clips of recent speeches she’s made to amplify her work as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. AOC’s social media presence is informative, approachable, mission-driven and inspires us to do more.
Instagram: @aoc

Meena Harris

“You may be the first to do many things, but make sure you're not the last.”

American lawyer, children's book author, producer, and founder of the Phenomenal Woman Action Campaign, Meena Harris might have first gotten noticed because of her famous aunt, Kamala, but she’s making a mark all her own. The name of her company, Phenomenal Woman, was inspired by the famous 1978 Maya Angelou poem: “I’m a woman / Phenomenally. / Phenomenal woman, / That’s me.” In the same way, Harris’ account amplifies her work to elevate the contributions and mastery of women and underrepresented minorities. This can come in the form of promoting her latest children’s book, “Ambitious Girl,” or by bringing awareness to overlooked cultural threads of discrimination like her 2022 holiday campaign to amplify the erasure of Mrs. Claus. Punctuating her social justice content are relatable posts of her experience as a mother, businesswoman and doer. She’s no doubt a phenomenal woman and one to watch.
Instagram: @meena

Rihanna

“Be a girl with a mind, a b**ch with an attitude, a lady with class.”

Following artist, businesswoman and all-around bad b**ch Rihanna on her Instagram is a daily inspiration. Why? Because the nine-time Grammy Award-winning, Super Bowl-slaying beauty billionaire and current Oscar nominee reminds us that busy bosses have lives too. It’s clear that despite all the opportunities and commitments that have come from her success, Rihanna’s first priority is herself. This was on display at her Super Bowl LVII halftime show. Giving nonchalant and understated energy, Rihanna revealed her second baby bump in a skintight red leather outfit just a year after the birth of her first child. The message? The Super Bowl halftime show is important but so is taking a 7-year musical hiatus to raise a family and take care of yourself. Follow Rihanna’s Instagram for iconic style and a consistent reminder that new moms are some of the baddest b**chs around.
Instagram: @badgalriri

Gen X

Tracee Ellis Ross

“[Perimenopause] is really bizarre, but it is the most glorious invitation into a new season and chapter in my life.”

Tracee Ellis Ross is an actress, producer, director & founder/CEO of PATTERN Beauty, a haircare company for the curly, coily & tight textured masses. She talks candidly about topics famous actresses rarely speak openly about, like perimenopause, aging and singlehood. Her Instagram account shows her reflections on these topics as well as other important issues; like her work to share the experiences of BIPOC individuals on her recently-released I Am America podcast; or her production of The Hair Tales, a docu series about Black hair and how it affects Black women’s identity and sense of self. Also on display on her Instagram is her signature humor, support for other creators and infectious joy for life. Tracee Ellis Ross is an inspiration and one whose continual evolution is an honor to witness.
Instagram: @traceeellisross

Reese Witherspoon

“I started this company to change the way all women are seen in media”

Early in her career when Reese Witherspoon got frustrated with the roles she was getting as a young actress in Hollywood, what did she do? She founded Hello Sunshine, a production company committed to telling women-driven stories like Gone Girl, Wild, Big Little Lies, The Morning Show and Little Fires Everywhere. Many of the projects Witherspoon produces are adapted from books picked for her book club — an 800,000 member-strong group that also centers female stories. Witherspoon is a formidable businesswoman and also a formidable activist — pushing for greater representation of LGBTQ people, people with disabilities and, of course, women — in Hollywood and beyond. Her Instagram is chock full of inspiration — from reminders to ‘just do it’ to the latest book she’s reading. We’re grateful activists like Witherspoon exist in Hollywood to help women and all underrepresented minorities feel more seen and heard.
Instagram: @reesewitherspoon
Twitter: @ReeseW

Jennifer Siebel Newsom

“If the media is sending girls the message that their value lies in their bodies, this can only leave them feeling disempowered and distract them from making a difference and becoming leaders.

Jennifer Siebel Newsom is the First Partner of California, an award-winning filmmaker, and a feminist thought leader on gender equality. Prior to marrying California Governor Gavin Newsom, Siebel Newsom worked as an actress in Hollywood, a time period that has come back in the news after her recent testimony in Harvey Weinstein’s criminal trial alleging that the former Hollywood producer raped her. (He denied the accusation and maintains that he is innocent. The judge declared a mistrial on the charges related to Siebel Newsom, but a Los Angeles jury convicted Weinstein on three counts of rape and sexual assault of a different woman involved in the trial, referred to as Jane Doe 1, and on February 23, 2023 he was sentenced to 16 years behind bars.) This is not the first time that Siebel Newsom has taken an open stand against abuse. Her documentaries often tackle gender inequity including the media’s unfair portrayal of women (Miss Representation) and toxic masculinity (The Mask You Live In). Most recently, Siebel Newsom’s documentary, Fair Play, casts a light on domestic inequity and the invisible care work historically held by women. As California’s First Partner, her Instagram is peppered with political partnerships as well as reminders for Californians to invest in their mental health.
Instagram: @jennifersiebelnewsom

Baby Boomers

Jackie Speier

“I don't know what these Republican congressmen drink that make them experts on women's reproductive health.”

Jackie Speier is an American lawyer and former U.S. representative for California's 14th congressional district, from 2008 to 2023. There’s no question Speier is an icon — not only for her steadfast support of women and other underrepresented groups throughout her political career but also for her brave sharing of her own experiences. Case in point, in 2011 Speier became the first member of Congress to share her abortion story on the House floor to argue against a proposal to defund Planned Parenthood. She’s survived gunshot wounds at the Jonestown massacre, miscarriages, broken engagements and the tragic death of her husband in a car accident. There’s a reason why Speier’s memoir is rightly titled Undaunted. We’re excited to follow Speier as she evolves into the next chapter of her journey beyond the House floor. We know it will be fearless no matter what.
Instagram: @jackiespeier

Jennifer Coolidge

“I've made a career of taking roles that other actresses didn't want.”

After years of being cast as “laughing stock” characters, actress Jennifer Coolidge is finally getting the recognition she deserves. Coolidge won her first Golden Globe and Emmy after brilliant performances in seasons 1 and 2 of The White Lotus. Her career resurgence, which is occurring in her 60s - a time when many actresses find their careers falling behind those of men and younger women - is an inspiration. Coolidge’s social media presence is similar to her unforgettable Golden Globes acceptance speech: earnest, unscripted and hilarious. In fact, Coolidge’s first TikTok was deemed a masterpiece by the Internet. Follow Coolidge for laughs and a lighthearted reminder that you’re never too old to do what you love and get what you deserve.
Instagram: @jennifercoolidge
TikTok: @jennifercoolidge

Dolly Parton

“I suppose I am a feminist if I believe that women should be able to do anything they want to”

We’ve always loved Dolly Parton, and how could we not? The world famous country music singer who combines big hair and a beautiful voice with a big belief that women can and should do whatever they want, Parton is a longtime feminist. Alongside her musical career, Parton has acted in several successful films including Steel Magnolias and Nine to Five (a movie also starring feminist icons Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin that tackled the subject of sexual harassment in the workplace). Aside from her stage and screen activities, Parton has donated over 150 million books through her Imagination Library, and $1 million to COVID-19 research. From clips of timeless past performances to inspiring reminders that “dreams do come true,” following Dolly Parton on Instagram — or #DollyTok, as she refers to it — is a delight.
Instagram: @dollyparton

The (Not So) Silent Generation

Nancy Pelosi

“Organize, don’t agonize”

The former 52nd Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi has represented San Francisco in Congress for more than 35 years. Pelosi was the first woman ever elected to serve as the speaker of the House. She has been a staunch advocate for women throughout her career, using her fierce determination and strategic maneuvering to champion legislation like the Affordable Care Act and the American Rescue Plan, all while combatting the media’s cartoonish portrayal of her as a villain driven by a thirst for power. Her Instagram account follows her political work including efforts to tackle pressing issues like gun violence and violence against women. We’re thrilled Nancy Pelosi’s time in the House is not over yet and excited to follow her as she continues her tireless work.
Instagram: @speakerpelosi

Jane Fonda

“Feminism is not just about women; it's about letting all people lead fuller lives.”

Actress and activist, Jane Fonda, needs very little introduction. She’s won two Oscars, built a fitness empire and spent most of her life using her fame to bring attention to pressing social justice issues. Today, she’s best known for her leading role as Grace in Netflix’s Grace and Frankie and her ongoing activism to bring awareness to the Black Lives Matter movement and the climate crisis. Her Instagram reflects her unflagging activism to “take down the fossil fuel industry”. It also features her latest movie roles, which highlight the ongoing transformation, sexuality and adventure that older women experience too. We’ll always love Jane Fonda because she reminds us that having fun, breaking the rules and fighting the power is ageless.
Instagram: @janefonda

Gloria Steinem

“‪Women may be the one group that grows more radical with age."‬

Fighting for women’s rights over the course of a lifetime is no small feat, and yet Gloria Steinem at age 88 is still doing it. She is a writer, activist, and organizer who has been called “the world’s most famous feminist”. In her lifelong commitment to advocating for women, she’s helped form the National Women’s Political Caucus with feminist icons like Bella Abzug and Betty Friedan, been mentored by and worked alongside many women of color including the brilliant Black feminist and community activist Dorothy Pitman Hughes, launched the pioneering Ms. magazine, written books about self-esteem, and misrepresentation; she’s even fought and survived breast cancer. Today, Steinem remains one of the most salient voices in the continued fight for women’s liberation. On her Instagram she posts about women who inspire her, past work she’s written that’s still troublingly relevant, and reminders to affect change through political participation. Despite witnessing first hand every triumph and misstep of the feminist movement for the better part of the last century, Steinem continues to be one of the most hopeful voices of all. Follow her to look back on how far we’ve come and to stay hopeful for how far we can still go.

Instagram: @gloriasteinem

About the author: Ariel Neidermeier (she/her) is a first generation Filipina-American writer educated in journalism at Emerson College and international relations at the University of California, San Diego. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

And the Oscar should go to...

tumay aslay February 28, 2023

By Ariel Neidermeier

From strong female leads to female directors who centered the stories of women, with the 95th Academy Awards just around the corner, we’re rounding up the movies from 2022 that made us think about the triumphs and trials of the female experience.

Disregarding categories specifically reserved for women (e.g. “Best Actress”, “Best Supporting Actress”), only 27% of Oscar nominees in non-acting categories at the 2022 Academy Awards were female according to data from the Women’s Media Center. This represents a decrease in representation from 2020 and 2021, when the share of women nominated was 30% and 32%, respectively. Furthermore, this ongoing lack of representation has continued into this year’s Academy Awards, with female directors shut out from the director category entirely.

Instead, the nominees for the best director of 2022 were strictly male, including Martin McDonagh (The Banshees of Inisherin), Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (Everything Everywhere All At Once), Steven Spielberg (The Fabelmans), Todd Field (Tár) and Ruben Östlund (Triangle of Sadness).

Who didn’t make the 2022 Best Director nominees list… and should have? Female directors like Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King), Sarah Polley (Women Talking), Chinonye Chukwu (Till), Maria Schrader (She Said) and Charlotte Wells (Aftersun).

Some of the films that follow have been recognized by major awards organizations, many of them have not. Regardless, it's movies like these we want to see more of on the silver screen.

AFTERSUN

Aftersun is a delicate and universal portrait of grief, memory and perception. Told through the eyes of a daughter remembering a final interaction with her father, the memory takes place as she reaches the beginnings of puberty, a tender time when a young woman is waking up to her own sexuality — and noticing others noticing it too. Weaving camcorder footage, memories and subconscious strikes of imagination, writer and director Charlotte Wells seems to channel a memory rather than retell a story. The result is a loving and heartfelt depiction of a father-daughter relationship. Vacationing in Turkey, they tour a mud bath, swim in the sea and sit at all-inclusive buffet dinners. Their relationship is poignant and realistic. Sometimes they squabble, sometimes they laugh, oftentimes they sit in an intimate yet fretful silence. It’s not a story of unique tragedy, but a story that is common to all humans: the experience of loss. There comes a time when all of us will do what’s portrayed in Aftersun: sort through old footage and relive memories of the ones we’ve loved and lost.

ENOLA HOLMES II

A rollicking ride through Victorian-era London through the eyes of an extraordinarily clever young detective, Enola Holmes 2 is for a night when you want to escape into a world where all mysteries — and misogynistic tyrannies — can be solved. This is the second in a series of films that gives a feminist twist on the classic tale of Sherlock Holmes (Enola, played by Millie Bobby Brown, is his younger sister). Enola’s mystery to solve: Find a missing girl and amplify the labor rights of mistreated female workers in the process. Flashbacks to Enola’s unorthodox childhood with her mother played by Helena Bonham Carter grounds this film in an independent quirkiness that makes the high stakes of female empowerment at the turn of the century feel lighthearted — if not downright fun. Buoyant, daring and touching on the importance of human rights and collectivism, this quick-witted film (series) is one to watch.

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE

Surreal, twisting and full of surprises, Everything Everywhere All at Once manages to blend fantastical plot twists and the mundane scapes of the human experience (the majority of the film takes place in an IRS government building) to tackle tender topics like intergenerational trauma, the immigrant experience and complicated family relationships. Part kung fu action film, part sci-fi thriller, the locus of activity in Everything Everywhere All at Once revolves around a fraught mother-daughter relationship between the exasperated Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh) and her dispirited daughter (Stephanie Hsu). The fantastical interpretation of their discontented relationship in the dream world conjured by the movie’s creators (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) is somehow both exhilarating and relatable. In this multiverse, every choice leads to an unending web of paths not picked, and possible lives never lived. Characters can use “jumping pads” — random, improbable acts — to access skills from these unlived lives, tapping into singing talents, martial arts mastery and more to take down their enemies. Another benefit of this set-up is the unending array of possibilities to forgive, love and heal. The feeling one gets after watching this film is one all moviegoers yearn for: hope that anything, anywhere, all at once — is possible.

MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS

From humble beginnings to the height of high fashion, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris follows the delightful journey of a woman finding her way after tragedy. Lesley Manville plays Mrs. Harris, a disheartened widow toiling in post WWII London. What does Mrs. Harris do when all is lost and there’s nothing left to hope for? She saves up the money to fly to Paris and buy herself a haute couture Dior gown. What follows is a dashing story of love, friendship and the reminder that it’s never too late to have an adventure and discover joy in your life. Mrs. Harris might be a humble housemaid, but she deserves a beautiful dress to make her feel special like we all do. This Cinderella-esque story is whimsical, dreamy and for one hour and 56 minutes, makes the world a much brighter, magical, well-dressed place.

SHE SAID

Based on the nonfiction book of the same name, She Said is a quietly thrilling recounting of the investigation of Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, The New York Times journalists who broke the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse story in 2017. It was this historic investigation that would catapult the #MeToo movement as well as several indictments against Weinstein for sexual abuse and rape. Like a fact-checked, clearly-reported article, the film clearly retells what happened, without grandstanding or extraneous detail. It also sheds light on the methodical precision it takes to build trust with sexual abuse victims in order to break news stories of this nature. The journalistic work of Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey is masterfully depicted by actresses Zoe Kazan and Carey Mulligan. While the film casts itself in the mold of other depictions of groundbreaking investigative reporting (All the President’s Men, Spotlight) director Maria Schrader tells the story through a distinctly female gaze. You see how Kantor and Twohey’s personal lives are affected by their work and vice versa, with the film tackling the challenges of postpartum depression and the day-to-day balance of work, motherhood and marriage. What the viewer is left with is an elegant and realistic portrait of professional women doing great work.

She Said should be viewed with a trigger warning to those sensitive to material suggesting or depicting sexual harassment and abuse.

THE WOMAN KING

The Woman King is a triumphant film. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and led by a spectacular performance by Viola Davis, The Woman King tells the true story of an army of women warriors in the precolonial West African Kingdom of Dahomey. From nail-biting battle scenes to inspiring montages of young warriors learning to fight, this movie showcases the dynamic strength of Black women. It’s particularly riveting to see a film that forgoes superhero strengths and magical gifts to imbue women with skills that are realistic and human. These warriors can twirl javelins, spin ropes and throw swords with exquisite skill. War scenes are balanced with a healthy dose of cultural celebration, including African dancing, singing and joy. The Woman King is also grounded in a tender depiction of sisterhood, chosen family and mother-daughter dynamics. It’s films like these that feel like a much-needed victory in today’s constantly bleak news landscape. And, it’s films like these that remind us that throughout human history, lurking in the shadow of every story of suffering is a story of transcendence too.

The Woman King should be viewed with a heavy trigger warning to those sensitive to material suggesting or depicting sexual violence.

THE SWIMMERS

The valiant and true story of the Mudini sisters provides viewers with a good cry and a healthy helping of hope. Focusing on the tale of two Syrian sisters trained in competitive swimming, younger sister Yusra’s (Nathalie Issa) aspirations to compete in the Olympics might be the connecting thread in this film but what belies it is an important story of the refugee experience. Yusra and Sara travel from Syria to Turkey, swim for their lives during a harrowing boat ride from Turkey to Greece and continue their dangerous trek across the Hungarian border. Making it to Berlin, they’re left to wait in an interminable limbo of refugee camp life and paperwork while also hoping to see if they can bring their remaining mother, father and young sister to safety from Damascus. In its twists and turns, The Swimmers is like a modern-day odyssey but one that is far from myth. Almost exactly 12 years since the start of the Syrian Civil War, it’s a stark reminder of the millions of refugees (half of whom are under the age of 18) who continue to risk their lives (and lose them) to find safety, freedom and hope in lands far from home — an ongoing global crisis that would do all of us good to remember.

TILL

Retelling the true story of Emmett Till through the eyes of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, Till reminds us of what it takes to open the eyes of a nation. In a heartbreaking scene depicting Emmett’s funeral, at which Mamie insists to show his body in an open casket, her crying aunt chokes “I can’t look at him,” to which Mamie responds: “We have to.” In the same way, Till asks us to look at the human consequences of our nation’s chronic violence against Black people. It is inconceivable to murder a 14 year-old boy for whistling, just as it is inconceivable for us to look at his brutalized body in the film. A stunning performance by Danielle Deadwyler paints a vivid portrait of a woman whose grief and strength transforms history. It’s because of Mamie Till-Mobley that we continue to hold Emmett Till’s story in our hearts with anguish. It is because of Mamie Till-Mobley that the names of so many unjustly taken bright souls are still shouted and remembered. The solitary suffering and eternal conviction of mothers like Mamie Till-Mobley galvanized the Civil Rights movement, the Black Lives Matter movement and beyond, a fact that Till masterfully brings our attention to.

WOMEN TALKING

Women Talking is a one hour and 44 minute film that showcases exactly that: a group of Mennonite women talking about what to do after suffering unspeakable violence. Their options: forgive, stay and fight, or leave. Based on a true story, the film begins with the words “what follows is an act of female imagination.” These words set the stage for a sequence of events that feel dream-like, the way abuse can feel dream-like when individuals are gaslighted into disbelieving their own suffering. In a welcome respite from the fetishization of female pain and sexual violence often depicted on the silver screen, director Sarah Polley skillfully invokes the abuse that took place without ever actually depicting it. Instead, the conversations of the women processing their experiences are centered —- as they should be in the aftermath of abuse. Balancing the horror of the events recounted is a beautiful depiction of strength and sisterhood. It’s inspiring to watch a group of women who have never been taught to read or to think independently conjure the magical thinking required to believe they can assert their freedom. It makes one believe that the simple act of a group of women talking could very possibly change the world.

Women Talking should be viewed with a heavy trigger warning to those sensitive to material suggesting or depicting sexual violence.

Official movie posters sources: Aftersun by A24 Films, Enola Holmes 2 by Netflix, Everything Everywhere All At Once by A24 Films, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris by Focus Features and Universal Pictures, She Said by Universal Pictures, The Woman King by Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Swimmers by Netflix, Till by United Artists Releasing and Universal Pictures, Women Talking by United Artists Releasing.

About the Author - Ariel Neidermeier (she/her) is a first generation Filipina-American writer educated in journalism at Emerson College and international relations at the University of California, San Diego. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.