It’s 2018, and it certainly is shaping up to be the Year of the Woman. And with the way that 2017 went for women, maybe that’s for the best. Nothing else is a better example of this than the recent Golden Globes. Notable figures were present and supporting the Time’s Up Movement, the hashtag absolutely dominating social media once the award show began.

The movement was founded by a group of 300 powerful women in Hollywood, including the likes of Eva Longoria and Reese Witherspoon. It is not only a way to stand with those that have come forward as sexual assault survivors, but is also a way to support those that have remained quiet; it’s a way to bring into the light the gender bias in the workplace; it’s a way to start a conversation about sexual assault, sexual harassment, and that said gender bias.

These women made a plan--that those in support of this movement were to wear black to the Golden Globes--and they used their power and influence to spread their message far and wide. Nearly everyone was wearing black in support of the movement, and many that did not attend posted about it instead to show that they stand with them, too.

Yes, the Golden Globes certainly seemed like the prime-time for woman-power all around, but what were the top moments for this award ceremony? While many moments will be remembered fondly (I’m looking at you Tom Hanks with the martini tray!!), let’s count down the top five favorite moments.

1. Sterling K. Brown’s Acceptance Speech

If you didn’t watch, the only thing you need to know is that the speeches this year by the winners were fantastic, Sterling K. Brown included. The This Is Us star won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama TV Series and, though he started the speech by acknowledging everyone’s mom, Oprah Winfrey, he finished by talking about the hardships that he’s experienced being African American in the television industry.

Many shows will use “color-blind casting” as their way to shut out African American actors, writing characters that could go to actors of any race, though usually, it goes to someone who is white. While this way of casting can be useful sometimes if actually done so in a way that is inclusive to all races, it’s also important to not shut African Americans and people of other races out of roles using this as an excuse.

This Is Us wrote Brown’s character specifically for an African American male to play, which he said made it “that much more difficult to dismiss me, or to dismiss anyone who looks like me.” Brown bringing light to this issue hopefully will provide a significant shift in Hollywood moving forward regarding diversity.

For the full speech, click here.

2. Barbra Streisand Joins the Cause

I don’t know if anyone is as much of a musical theatre fan as I am, but Barbra Streisand coming out onto that stage and talking about feminism just gave me LIFE. She, too, has joined the Time’s Up Movement, and made that very clear in her speech discussing the fact that she is the only woman that has received a Golden Globe for Best Director...34 years ago. Women are being overlooked in Hollywood in roles such as director and it’s plain for anyone to see, especially since there weren't any female nominees this year for Best Director, and it’s high-time that this was addressed and amended.

For the full speech, click here.

3. Rachel Brosnahan’s Reminder

Rachel Brosnahan brought home the award for Best Actress in a TV Series (Comedy or Musical) and decided to focus on the main issue of the night in her speech--women, their rights, and their stories. In her speech, she said, “There are so many women’s stories out there that still need and deserve to be told.

So, as we enter this new year, please let’s continue to hold each other accountable and invest in and make and champion these stories.” Not only did the speech fit the theme of the evening, but it also really resonated with viewers everywhere that are going through the issues of harassment and inequality that these women of Hollywood are focusing on.

For the full speech, click here.

4. Natalie Portman’s Subtle Takedown of the Patriarchy

Even though it was just a small moment in the show, Natalie Portman made sure to make as much of an impact as possible in the ten seconds she was given the microphone. In the that opportunity, announcing the nominees and winner of Best Director, she chimed in “And here are the all-male nominees.” Not only was it tactful and graceful on Natalie’s part, but it was also hilarious watching everyone’s reactions to the burn on Hollywood.

For the full video, click here.

5. Oprah’s Monologue

OH MY FREAKING GOD. So, I’ll admit, I was never really that big of an Oprah fan. I knew of her; I just never allowed myself to get to know her accomplishments and what she stands for. Hearing her acceptance speech for the Cecil B DeMille Award (the first African American woman to do so, by the way) made me want to ask her to adopt me. It sent shivers down my spine and left so many in the room in tears.

If you haven’t watched it, I suggest that you definitely check it out, because it’s worth the listen. Oprah is so inspirational, so moving, and is such a powerful figure. I feel very lucky that I had the opportunity to hear her deliver such an incredible speech. Maybe we’ve even witnessed her first few steps into the political spotlight with this speech. Oprah/Michelle 2020!!!!

For the full speech, click here.

Seeing almost all attendees of the Golden Globes, plus more, stand together in solidarity for equality is beautiful, and already a huge improvement of where we left 2017. It’s celebrities like the women who put together the Time’s Up Movement, those that have come forward about moments of inequality and sexual harassment that they’ve experienced, and those that openly show their endless support for movements like this that gives me hope for our future; that maybe we will find equality one day.