TED Talks have become a large part of our society and they span so many different topics (i.e. sex, nature, social injustice, mathematics, education). I personally love the talks that make me think but also have the capacity to make me laugh. I've found so many magnificent TED Talks by women talking about what is "expected" of women to talk about (feminism and sex) to topics that are largely dominated by men (science and math). Here are 12 TED Talks by women that you need to watch right now.
1. I'm Taking My Body Back | Rupi Kaur
Through a mix of poetry and narrative, Kaur explores a deep and cathartic story that begins and ends with the restoring of the feeling of home inside the body.
2. The Urgency of Intersectionality | Kimberle Crenshaw
Crenshaw talks about the reality of gender and racial bias and describes how the two combine to create even more harm.
3. We Should All Be Feminists | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Adichie examines the difficulties of defining the term "feminist," especially from the ideals of her home country Nigeria.
4. The Wait Is Sexy | Yvonne Orji
Born to strict Nigerian parents, Orji was determined to be married and intimate at 18. Now, she is a 33-year-old virgin and her parents suddenly want her to find someone. Orji describes the importance of waiting for what you want in a significant other.
5. Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are | Amy Cuddy
Cuddy is a social psychologist and shows us how "power posing" can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain and might even have an impact on our chances of success.
6. Your Elusive Creative Genius | Elizabeth Gilbert
"Eat, Pray, Love" author muses on the impossible expectations we have of artists and geniuses and shares that rather than the rare person being a "genius," that each of us "has" a genius.
7. My Stroke of Insight | Jill Bolte Taylor
Taylor had an opportunity few brain scientists would hope for: One morning, she realized she was having a stroke. And yes, that is a real human brain she is holding.
8. Confessions of a Bad Feminist | Roxane Gay
In a thoughtful and provocative talk, Gay asks us to embrace all flavors of feminism and the small changes that might make a large difference.
9. The Power of Vulnerability | Brene Brown
Brene Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, and love.
10. The Mathematics of Love | Hannah Fry
Mathematician Hannah Fry shows patterns in how we look for love and uses that to help you find a love for mathematics.
11. What Young Women Believe About Their Own Sexual Pleasure | Peggy Orenstein
Why do girls feel empowered to engage in sexual activity but not to enjoy it?
12. Why I Must Come Out | Geena Rocero
When fashion model Geena Rocero first saw professionally shot photo of herself in a bikini, she thought "You have arrived!" This might not have been the typical experience, but that's because she was born with the gender assignment "boy."
