Y'all thought I was gonna go through the whole of Women's History Month without talking about women? Ha. In the spirit of celebrating and honoring the remarkable women who've fought for everything we now enjoy, the following is a list of women in my history that have made it possible to be where I am.
The women championing equal education rights
Where would I be without access to equal education? The Seneca Falls Convention was the first women's rights convention in America, organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. While the convention had little immediate impact on education for women in America, it opened the door for conversations about equal education, including the desegregation of curriculum.
Women in music
Obviously, without role models I wouldn't know what I was trying to do. Specifically, women in rock have had a big influence on my life. More recently, on the music industry end, women in positions of power, like Jody Gerson, have motivated me to work hard, and trust my gut to achieve success in an industry historically dominated by men.
The women of Disney
Specifically the women involved in the movies Freaky Friday and Camp Rock. First, thank you to the women involved in the screenplay writing process for both of these films. Freaky Friday was my favorite movie growing up. This movie inspired in me the desire to be in a band. Pink Slip, Lindsay Lohan, and Jamie Lee Curtis all modeled the rockers I want to be. I still listen to the soundtrack on the regs, it bops. And I know it sounds silly but without Camp Rock I wouldn't have started writing songs when I did.
My music teachers
Growing up, I had predominantly female music teachers, who all encouraged and worked with me to explore and create music. My biggest influence had been my voice teacher, Christine Chambers. She was my only real music mentor in high school. Christine offered not only prime vocal coaching, but encouragement, advise, and friendship. In only three years, she was able to keep up with and properly teach different vocal stylings as I moved forward with music. She is one of the only people I would share my original music with and welcome critiques.
All the women in my life, but especially my mom
I would like to take this time to thank every woman out there who has showed me what it means to be a woman today. Without the support of the women in my family and my friends I would not have the courage to be pursuing my dreams.
And obviously, I definitely would not be here without my mom. Not only did she birth me, she's always been one of my main supporters. She wants me to be who I am and chase what makes me happy. I really just have so many good things to say about my mom and so many things to thank her for, it makes me emotional. Anyway, love you, Mom!
