Empowering Women With Beautiful Stories: Watch, Read, Listen, Shop

Why you should care?

Women and girls represent half of the world’s population. With women’s history, we need to shine a light on causes that have made a positive impact in our lives.  So, think eco-consciously, giveback-consciously and impact-consciously with your purchases! 
 

Empowering Women

Achieving equity for both women and girls is a work in progress. Now, more than ever, is the time to shine the spotlight on women’s achievements and recognize the on-going issues that have been pressuring  women for centuries. Together, women have worked to advance equal pay and abortion rights, take pressing social issues to the streets, and make history with the first female Vice President in Office. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has made life challenging for all people. But, during these difficult times, it has also created new opportunities for women to combine forces, make our mark, and change history!

The UN Sustainable Development Goals Matter

It is important to recognize gender equality as a “fundamental human right.” The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (UNSDG) stresses advancing gender equality in all aspects of society. The United Nations (UN) help set global goals to make progress towards a healthier world. 

According to the United Nations, “Women are not only the hardest hit by this pandemic, they are also the backbone of recovery in communities. Putting women and girls at the centre of economies will fundamentally drive better and more sustainable development outcomes for all, support a more rapid recovery, and place the world back on a footing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.” 

Unfortunately, only 28% of women hold managerial positions worldwide, at a time when women make up half of the world’s population. This means many challenges still remain with regards to women’s underrepresentation, sexual violence, and discriminatory laws and social norms. All of which have intensified due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although there’s been improvement over the past few decades, women and girls continue to face inequalities and prejudices in their everyday lives. 

Across all sectors, women continue to fight for equitable rights to living a respectable life. Although you may understand personally about the detailed issues, it’s important to maintain our spotlight on this important goal throughout the year, and not just during Women’s History Month. Dig into the many activities that help each of us better understand what’s at stake below. Some are serious and others are entertaining, but we find that when we continue to self-educate ourselves, we are ready for those moments that arise unexpectedly, so that each of us can take a stand or speak out. Learn what to WATCH, READ, LISTEN and SHOP below to support our continual fight for women’s right to a prosperous life.

What to WATCH

Some “must-watch” films that highlight the power of women through significant events.

• Selma– A film that focuses on the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, led by a “trailblazing women” who stood at the front and led the way to such a historic moment in the civil rights movement. 
• Hidden Figures– A story of how three Black women worked together to help launch the success of the Mercury-Atlas 6 orbital mission amidst blatant sexism, racism, and segregation
• Queen Katwe – a female directed documentary about the real life story of a 10-year old Ugandan girl who uses chess to help rise above inequalities and poverty.
• She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry – a 2014 documentary about the second wave of feminism that shaped our current modern opportunities for women.
• Erin Brokovich – an inspiring true story of a woman who discovers a horrifying toxic drinking water cover-up that has caused devastating illnesses among local residents in California. 

What to READ

• ‘Becoming’ by Michelle Obama- The inspiring and powerful story of Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the U.S, and her journey of defying expectations and road to success. Michelle herself is an advocate for women and girl empowerment, continuing to make a healthier and more inclusive society through her work. 

• ‘We Should All Be Feminists’– This book was developed from Adichie’s popular and inspiring TEDx talk.. It looks at how 21st century feminism can be more inclusive. 

• ‘In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs’- “This book focuses on embracing the female entrepreneurial experience by showcasing over 100 experiences from women in different careers throughout the world. By embracing a variety of professions, from tattoo artists to architects, the reader gets a first-hand account of what the working world is like for women of all ages, races, and backgrounds.” (WomansDay) 

What to LISTEN 

Listen to the many great podcasts spotlighting different topics related to the success and opportunities for women: 

• “Women belong in the White House” -Wonder Media Network 
• “Ordinary Equality” -Wonder Media Network 
• “ECO CHIC” -Laura E. Diez

What to SHOP 

• Fighting for gender equality helps build a more balanced, healthier society in which the economy and planet thrive sustainably. Help contribute to the fight for gender equality by supporting women-owned businesses or companies that give-back to women empowerment. For many of these businesses, purchasing directly from their sites will help contribute funds or donations to women and girls over the globe. 

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Keywords: Sustainable Fashion, Eco-fashion, Sustainable Spring Fashion, Sustainable Styles, Spring for a New Style, Ethically Sourced Fashion, Sustainably Sourced Fashion, Sustainable Clothing, Sustainable Spring Accessories