Feminspire Me, Please.

Twenty-thirteen was an amazing year for women, and if you need to by reminded of why, just click here: The 25 Best Moments for Women in 2013

I have always been as feisty a feminist as ever, but every day I grow increasingly more aware of just how far women have to go in our society. Some of the most basic human rights are being restricted for women all over the world, so when I read about someone like Malala Yousafsai, a young girl willing to stand up to the friggin' Taliban and take a gunshot to the head and still continue advocating on behalf of women on an international level, it makes me wonder: what the hell am I doing for the betterment of womankind? And we can't we all be like Malala?

Well, that's the thing about inspirational leaders and activists, as much as they have the power to raise awareness and spark movements, they also have the power to make you feel kind of guilty about whether or not you're living up to your potential in your own little world or community or bubble or on your Tumblr (kidding about the last one). Or maybe the guilt just stems from my daddy issues..?

But the truth is that most of the great feminist leaders (and leaders in general) of our time have emerged as products of their own environment and the current culture of that particular period of time. They recognized a need to amplify the voices of women in their own community and accepted the challenge. Yousafsai, for example, lived under an intensely oppressive regime that banned women from attending school, and I would doubt she believed she had any other choice but to pursue a life of advocacy as a result. I say that not to dismiss her obvious exceptional strength and courage, but rather, to point out how incredibly dire circumstances can bring out the most amazing leaders in our communities.

Gloria Steinem emerged as a leader of the women's liberation movement in the 60s and 70s as the second-wave of feminism broadened to include issues of sexuality, workplace equality, domestic violence, and reproductive rights. Her work continues to be at the forefront of a national debate, especially when it comes to women's reproductive rights.  The 11-hour filibuster of Texas State Senator and now candidate for Texas governor, Wendy Davis, might not have happened if the intensely politicized attack on women's reproductive rights weren't as prominent as it is today.  Ms. Davis recognized the need for someone to take a firm stance on the issue and positioned herself to represent thousands of women who believe that local governments should not be able to restrict abortions by shutting down hundreds of clinics throughout the state.

Then you have Sheryl Sandberg, whose book, Lean In, sparked an important dialogue on what women can do to achieve greater equality of opportunity in the workplace. If you've never watched her TED talk, do so. Through her experiences working for the United States Treasury as well as for multi-billion dollar companies like Google and Facebook, Sandberg has compiled an incredibly insightful perspective on women in the workplace. I mean, homegirl has lived it. And yes, she's wealthy, white and educated and has sparked some controversy for coming across as an out-of-touch elitist. But to her critics I say, we cannot expect one woman to represent us all. The fact that she is using her privilege, success and experience to empower other women (however limited her perspective on the struggles of the "average" woman may be) is a positive thing. And who is the "average" woman anyway?

Furthermore, there is more than one brand of feminism! Even the Beyonces and Lady Gagas have their merits when they choose to use their celebrity as vehicles to communicate positive messages to women (i.e. Gaga speaking out against photoshopping women on magazine covers and ads to fit some ridiculously idealized and unattainable standard). Sandberg, like Steinem and Davis and Yousafsai (and yes, even Gaga) have all stepped up to empower women in areas that reflected the needs of their own communities. And while we can't and won't all be like Malala (darnit), we can continue to be present, aware, and responsive to the areas of inequality among women in our own lives.

And that is the brand of feminism that inspires me most: the kind that encourages society to respect the rights and needs of women while acknowledging the importance of equal opportunities for every human being. Peace and love ya'll. 

LISTEN: Gab It Up Ep. 3 - Feminism & Power

Meet the Panel (clockwise from top):

Ernie G. (Latino Empowerment Comedian)

Virginia Govea Novello  (actress, filmmaker & producer)

Amber Price (writer/producer & motivational speaker)

Stacy Fiehler (writer, actress)