Today, I am proud to call myself a Nasty Woman.
When Mr. Trump muttered those words under Hillary Clinton’s remarks during their final debate, it struck a chord with so many women across the country. It is not uncommon for a woman to be called names by men if she states her opinions without apology, so a lot of us could identify with this moment. After this debate, giving the most graceful middle finger that they could in response to the situation, many women decided to adopt this new term as something empowering; flipping the words "Nasty Woman" from an insult, to our own badge of honor. Now, being a Nasty Woman means being a strong individual that stands up for her rights, and the rights of her peers, fearlessly, with grace, and without shame.
Since this title came about, Nasty Women everywhere have been coming together to empower each other and fight for the rights that have been threatened by the person that gave them their name.
On January 12, 2016, The Nasty Women Art Exhibition opened in New York City. In the warehouse-like Knockdown Center in Queens, ten twelve-foot-tall 3D letters stood, occupying most of the venue’s large main space, spelling out the words NASTY WOMEN. These massive structures displayed around 700 pieces that were created and donated by female-identifying artists from around the world. The pieces were sold throughout the run of the exhibition as a fundraiser, with 100% of all proceeds being donated to Planned Parenthood.
The creators called the event, "a group exhibition that serves to demonstrate solidarity among artists who identify with being a Nasty Woman in the face of threats to roll back women’s rights, individual rights, and abortion rights. It also serves as a fundraiser to support organizations defending these rights and to be a platform for organization before the Trump Presidential Inauguration in January."
This amazing artistic protest all began with a Facebook post.
Seeking a positive outlet for what she was feeling in the wake of the election, artist Roxanne Jackson turned to her Facebook friends with a proposition. Her post read, “Hello female artists/curators! Let’s organize a NASTY WOMEN group show!!! Who's interested???”
The response was overwhelming, and Jackson knew that she had to make this idea a reality.
Along with curator Jessamyn Fiore, the duo found a space and began organizing. Adding graphic designer, Barbara Smith, to their team, they created a website for the event and sent out a call to female-identifying creators everywhere to submit pieces of art. The only requirements for submissions were that they did not exceed 12 inches in any dimension, and that they would not be priced over $100.
They received videos, sculptures, paintings, drawings, comics, photographs, and more. All of these would be placed by volunteers on the large letters, displaying a mass collage of the angry, cynical, vulnerable, proud, powerful spirit that defines a Nasty Woman.
On its opening night, in only three hours, 444 art pieces were sold and the exhibition raised $34,950 for Planned Parenthood. By the third day of the exhibition's run, the letters were nearly empty, but people were still flooding the scene.
Throughout the weekend, money was also raised through the sale of tote bags and signs that were screen-printed on site with logos of female empowerment, and donations were accepted without purchase. Along with the art display, there were musical performances, speeches, and other presentations lined up.
This is only the beginning for Nasty Women. The event has already inspired 28 other exhibitions around the world that have confirmed dates and locations, as well as many others in the works. The creators are still encouraging more people to start their own Nasty events, and they have some instructions on doing so listed on their site.
The astonishing outcome of this event goes to show that no matter what the polls said, and no matter how much the President Elect and his new cabinet may try to speak over them, Nasty Women will not be silenced.
