Celebrating Women And Not Over Thinking It

So today is International Women’s day, and I’ve been thinking what I’m going to say about it. Whenever a date like this rolls around I find myself wondering about what GGG will post in line with it. This year I was sort of split, sure it’s amazing we have a day to celebrate all the amazing females making life worth living everyday, but like a lot of people, other things played on my mind. The waves of douche-bags calling for International Men’s Day is always a bummer. So is the fact we all make such a big deal of one day a year and then go back to forgetting about so many issues for the other 364. And especially in Australia where Indigenous women are practically invisible in the justice system, gay-marriage is a dream not a reality, domestic violence and wage inequality continue to be an uphill battle, and trans culture is only just beginning to be spoken about in the mainstream, you could forgive us for not feeling like celebrating.

So when I sat down to write this I felt kind of overwhelmed, and I do what I always do when I feel that way. I think about my personal heroes, strong women who exist in and outside of the public sphere, and I wondered what they would do. Then I thought, what the fuck Wendy? Yes there are so many ongoing, insidious, and heartbreaking factors facing women today. But there are also countless, often unseen, beautiful, life affirming moments of brilliance carried out by your gender constantly. I thought about my mum, my sister, my friends, my idols, and I remembered how lucky I am to be part of a generation that gives a shit. So in celebration of that, I’m going to give myself permission to chill for a new minutes, and compile this largely random collection of women I love. Enjoy, and happy Us Day sisters!

Jenny Slate, actress and comedian