This International Women’s Day may be a little different with the COVID-19 pandemic still looming, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t safe ways to celebrate and support women’s rights and achievements right from your home. With this year’s theme being Choose to Challenge, an initiative encouraging women to speak out on, or challenge topics to bring about change, there are many ways to celebrate and contribute to the movement. Keep reading to find out some different options.
Watch Films and Television With Strong Female Leads
Firefly Lane
Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke star in one of Netflix’s latest girl-power shows, Firefly Lane. The 10 episode series follows Tully Hart (Heigl) and Kate Mularkey (Chalke) as they steer through 30 years of friendship. The show follows them from their early teenage years, through college, and into their early forties dealing with loneliness, success, past trauma, independence, and through it all- remaining true to one another as best friends.
The Crown
For anyone obsessed with the royals, The Crown is the perfect show for you to watch this International Women’s Day. In four seasons, the show follows the story of Queen Elizabeth II from the time she was coronated as Queen of England in 1953 at only 27 years old to the latest season, which documents the early stages of Princess Diana’s marriage to Prince Charles, in which Emma Corrin does a flawless job at replicating the now-deceased princess. A popular topic in recent news given Charles’ and Diana’s youngest son, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, the show is just what viewers need to clarify the hardships placed upon women in the monarchy – particularly women coming from non-traditional backgrounds or those that display more heart than business.
The Undoing
After its release earlier this year on HBO Max, The Undoing starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant as husband and wife, has already been nominated for multiple awards. After a woman is brutally murdered and Jonathan Fraser (Grant) becomes a prime suspect, Grace Fraser (Kidman) must decide whether to stand by her husband or question the man she had been married to for so long. Kidman puts on an emotionally gripping performance during the entirety of the show, which primarily focuses on her point-of-view on the situation. Her character, a respected therapist, struggles with the realistic aspect of going back-and-forth between truth and deceit and ultimately sticks to her gut-feeling, teaching women that it’s okay to do the same.
Bridgerton
Bridgerton stars a plethora of feminist-inspired characters. From Phoebe Dynevor’s portrayal of Daphne Bridgerton and her desire to marry for love rather than money to Golda Rosheuvel starring as Queen Charlotte, the show heavily relies on the female-perspective during the social season of 1813. Daphne’s younger sister, Eloise, is a large part in not following societal standards, wishing to find more to life than a husband and children. Bridgerton hones in on female sexuality more-so than the male counterpart and offers a love story that anyone can enjoy.
Someone Great
Netflix’s 2019 film Someone Great, starring Gina Rodriguez, is the epitome of a feminist-provoked breakup. Looking to further her career as a journalist across the country, Rodriguez’s character, Jenny, endures a breakup with her long-term boyfriend. The film follows her over the course of the day as she goes through all the stages of a breakup: sadness, flashbacks, turning to her girlfriends, partying, and ultimately coming to the realization that she didn’t need him in order to be happy.
Malcolm and Marie
I think it’s safe to say that anything starring Zendaya is bound to be inspiring in some type of way. Malcolm and Marie was one of Hollywood’s first feature films to be written, funded, and produced during the pandemic. The story follows a couple as they spend the night discussing where they stand in their relationship. Zendaya’s character, Marie, is a caustic, strong-willed woman, who is not afraid to stand up for herself and bring up the flaws in her relationship.
Support Small Businesses Owned By Women
Glossier
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Founded by Emily Weiss in 2014, Glossier is a beauty brand born primarily out of social media and growing 600% between 2015 and 2016. The company keeps a full beauty routine in mind providing products from skincare and makeup to fragrance. Bringing awareness to the fallacies in bigger beauty brands and providing a minimalistic packaging approach, the company creates products based on what customers wish existed.
LELIA+MAE Jewelry
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Lelia+Mae Jewelry was founded by Nicole Cummings “out of pure adoration for women, especially black women and black culture.” The affordable and long-lasting jewelry has been featured everywhere from New York Fashion Week shows to Glamour magazine. The mostly-gold pieces range from neck and wrist-wear to earrings and rings. Be sure to check out this Buffalo, New York-based company.
SKIMS
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SKIMS is a loungewear, shapewear, and underwear company founded by Kim Kardashian. The company promotes diversity, including over 10 different skin-tones and sizes fit for all body types, enhancing curves and allowing women to feel both comfortable and sexy.
Sun Goddess – by Mary J. Blige
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Perfect for a ladies’ night in, Sun Goddess by singer Mary J. Blige is an Italian wine brand that she founded and released last summer. The brand features Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato and Sauvignon Blanc and is named after Blige’s childhood nickname from her mother.
Anteel Tequila
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As the first black woman in the world to own a tequila brand, Nayana Ferguson has done so while also being a pancreatic and breast cancer survivor with Anteel Tequila. “For me, tequila is a spirit that I can drink without too many aftereffects, as long as I don’t add anything else,” she said in regards to watching her health. Available for purchase now are Anteel Blanco, Anteel Coconut Lime Blanco, and Anteel Reposado Tequila.
Read Books Written By Women About Women
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty is a mystery novel and New York Times Bestseller. Following a group of moms from varying marriage and financial situations, the book sheds light on the one thing they have in common – their kids. And a murder they all witnessed at a school event.
Bossypants by Tina Fey
In the autobiographical book, Bossypants, Tina Fey comedically writes about her life from her childhood dreams of becoming a television comedian to living out those dreams on Saturday Night Live and other television shows and films. She offers insightful advice to young women with big dreams and proves that “you’re no one until someone calls you bossy.”
Becoming by Michelle Obama
A memoir by the former first lady, Michelle Obama’s Becoming lets readers into her early life, how she found her voice, and stories from her time in the White House. Beginning as a young girl living in the South Side of Chicago to ultimately going to school at Princeton University and Harvard Law School, Obama shares personal stories aimed to provide a multitude of lessons from mothering to finding fulfillment in life.
Donate to Charities
Women for Women International
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Women for Women International aims to create a world in which all women determine the course of their lives and reach their full potential. The global community invests in woman survivors of war and conflict, providing them with the basic resources on how to change their lives through social and economic lessons provided by other women.
Step Up
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Helping to create a stronger community of confident women in school and professional careers, Step Up is a charity that focuses on helping girls from underprivileged communities and school systems have the equal opportunity to find fulfillment in their future educational roles or careers.
She Should Run
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In light of Kamala Harris being the first woman Vice President, She Should Run is the perfect charity to donate to. With women being underrepresented in office, She Should Run provides an outlet that advocates for and motivates women from all walks of life to further their knowledge and explore the roles and duties of public office.
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Coalition
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The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Coalition is working to provide a strong, multigenerational, inclusive forum for all voices. Working towards equalities for all types of people, the charity works on a local and state level, constantly recruiting and expanding their membership as a way to include as wide of a representation as they can.
Discover and Purchase Art From Female Artists
The Untitled Space Presents “WE ARE WOMEN”
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“WE ARE WOMEN” is a collection released by The Untitled Space to celebrate Women’s History Month. Featuring paintings, sculptures, photography, and more, be sure to check out works that promote women’s history and the female experience.
Judy Chicago
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Judy Chicago is largely known for her feminist-inspired artwork that highlights women’s movements, birth, and creation.
Guerilla Girls
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Using gorilla masks and humor to highlight gender and ethnic disparities as well as political, social, and cultural corruption, Guerilla Girls has taken their art to a new and unique level.
Jenny Holzer
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Portraying words in public places to inspire social and political justice, Jenny Holzer‘s neo-conceptual art is certainly one to be viewed on International Women’s Day.
