I am sure you are wondering, what does “the year of women” mean? Interpret it as you may, there is no correct or incorrect answer. The overarching point of this title is that women are on the rise, and they will be heard in 2018. Here are some reasons why;
1. The Larry Nassar case
Over 140 women, including famous olympians, were brave enough to stand in front of the disgusting predator and tell their story. Not only to him, but to the whole world. This group of women, this ARMY of women, are so brave and so powerful. Their words are the beginning of a world wide change, a change where women are no longer afraid to stand up and speak for themselves.
2. The #METOO movement
The hashtag that is trending has so much more depth than just two short words, these words are a movement within themselves. By tweeting or posting this hashtag somewhere, survivors of sexual assault and harassment are able to raise awareness of just how common this is.
3. Halsey's poem
If you haven't heard this yet, go listen to it! I guarantee you'll have goosebumps down your spine, just like myself. Halsey's ‘speech’ was a leap in the right direction for women being able to speak out for themselves. She told stories from her childhood, and explained to us how to ask and how to listen to other survivors stories. Her music and her words are powerful and inspiring for all women and will continue to be throughout 2018.
4. Oprah's speech
This speech laid out the path for women in the future, and she told a few accounts of what women have accomplished in the past. She told a story about herself as a child watching the Golden Globes and seeing powerful men being nominated. She turned the story around and told us how she accomplished her own dreams of being the first black woman to be given that same exact award. She tells women to speak their truth and to use it as the powerful tool that it is. Oprah used and continues to use her powerful voice to tell stories about women who were abused, including her mother, and she uses that to encourage women to speak out.
5. Women's March
If you google anything about the Women’s March of 2018, you will see just how amazing it was. This was where Halsey powerfully shared her poem with the world. It's also where Viola Davis, Scarlett Johansson, and Natalie Portman all spoke. The goal of the march is to register more women to vote and to elect women into office. Go out and take a stand in the women’s march next year!
6. Kesha's grammy performance
Although, the Grammy’s did not do an amazing job of honoring women, Kesha was an exception. Her performance of “Praying” was powerful and very moving for all women. She and many other known survivors sang together and shouted out the way that they felt. Her performance was more than just a song.
