Of all of the holidays, Valentine's Day is one of my least favourite. Too many love hearts, too much confetti and too much pressure. It's not the love part that I'm opposed to; it's the fact that the bloated head of capitalism doesn't even have the dignity to hide on this holiday. You can hear it screaming, "Buy! Buy! Buy! Prove your love with money!" on every street corner. Instead of buying myself chocolates and binge watching horror movies with my gal pals, I decided to do one better. If you can't beat them, join them, right? So this year, I wrote a bunch of valentines of my own to all the amazing women, real and fictional, who have helped make me the person I am today. It's not traditional romantic love, but that's just fine.
1. Harriet the Spy
When I was a kid, I would stay up all night with a flashlight reading Harriet the Spy under my covers. She showed me it was more than okay to be smart and resourceful and that it was awesome. Happy Valentine's Day, Harriet. You were the coolest pre-teen in town.
2. J. K. Rowling
I'm thinking of you, J.K., and I want to thank you for giving me the gift of Harry Potter, my favourite book series of all time. Thank you for teaching me the value of true friends and the power of good. Thank you for giving me Hermione Granger at a time when being clever wasn't cool. It's love.
3. Mrs. Frizzle
Those crazy earrings were everything, Frizzle. You certainly made learning fun! Thank you for the (mostly correct) amazing science facts; I wouldn't have given rocks much time otherwise. Be mine?
4. Angela Davis
Not a figure from my childhood, but a powerful woman who speaks with such passion you can't help but follow. For trying to change the world for the better and being fierce and unafraid, will you be my valentine?
5. Malala Yousafzai
It's mind boggling to think of everything Malala has done at such a young age. Thank you for inspiring me to always fight for what I believe in and to make a difference wherever I can. Dream girl!
6. Buffy
So I'm two for one for this valentine. Two amazing characters who showed me just how badass women can be! Even now, when I'm in a tough situation I think, "WWBD?" ("What Would Buffy Do?") The answer is, invariably, kick ass and take names preferably in an awesome outfit with a witty quip. Never underestimate the power of a well-timed quip.
7. Mulan
Mulan wasn't Malaysian, but it was still really special to me when Disney made a tough warrior chick the star of a movie. Plus, she looked more like me than the other princesses, a gift that was much rarer in the 90s. Gal pals, yeah?
8.The Notorious RBG
Yass, queen! RBG, you're an icon and a bastion of girl power. You're on my wall and forever in my heart. Call me?
9. My Mum
Cheese alert! I hope you saw this one coming, because I'm not sorry. My mum is a tough, feminist beauty who taught me to never sell myself short, to find something I believe in and fight for it. Unapologetic and unafraid, you're my number one valentine!
And there you have it, my valentines to nine women the world couldn't live without. Valentine's Day is about love and I can't think of a better way to show it. Remember, love wins.
