By Misha Mullany
In honor of Women’s History Month and all of the revolutionary women who paved the way for us, here’s a part history lesson, part girl-jam playlist for when you want to empower yourself with the accomplishments of your ancestors. And don’t worry, my full playlist is on Spotify, so whether you’re primping for girl’s night or sipping wine on the couch and relaxing, you can feel like the Baddest B- around. So without further ado—let’s go!
JOSEPHINE BAKER (1906-1975) was an American-born dancer who made a name for herself by dancing semi-nude and singing in vaudeville shows throughout America and France. Then during WWII, she served in the French Resistance forces as a spy and passed messages in her lyrics to Allied Forces. She later adopted 12 children from different nationalities and raised them in what she called her “Rainbow Tribe.” She travelled around the world, enacting political and social change that can be considered revolutionary in any time period.
Theme Song: “Q.U.E.E.N.” by Janelle Monae
Am I a freak for dancing around? (Queen)/
Am I a freak for getting down? (Don't judge me, oh)/
I'm cutting up, don't cut me down (don't cut me, no)/
And yeah I wanna be, wanna be queen (I just wanna be)
A no-brainer pairing in my opinion. Both Janelle and Josephine unapologetically flaunt what they’ve got, while championing civil rights and empowering women around the world.
MALALA YOUSAFZAI (1997-Present) was born the daughter of a teacher in Pakistan, and she became an outspoken advocate for girl’s education. At just 11 years old, she gave her first speech: “How Dare the Taliban Take Away My Basic Right to Education?” She later survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban on her way home from school when she was hit by a gunshot to the head. Despite this, Malala has continued to fight for access to education and women’s rights, specifically for young girls. In 2014, she was the youngest person awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She is the youngest designated UN messenger-of-peace, and has a book published (I Am Malala) and a documentary was made about her (He Named Me Malala).
Theme Song: “I Am Malala” - Girls of the World (Not on Spotify)
With the power of our speech/
We can change our world and how it's perceived/
We've got doubts and beliefs/
But not one thing's truly out of our reach
Because Malala is so inspiring to young women, multiple songs have actually been written about her. This version by Girls of the World is my favorite because it calls us all to stand up for what we believe in and not allow ourselves to be limited by others.
FRIDA KAHLO (1907-1954) was a Mexican artist who is known for her surrealist paintings and self-portraits. She challenged conventional ideas of beauty, identity, and gender norms and is considered a feminist icon. Plus, she celebrated real women and their experiences and was openly bisexual (one of her most famous relationships was with Josephine Baker!). Her work has been showcased around the world, including in the Louvre, and she is considered one of Mexico’s greatest artists.
Theme Song: “***Flawless” - Beyoncé feat. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I woke up like this/
We flawless, ladies tell 'em/
Say I, look so good tonight/
God damn, God damn
Frida celebrated herself as she was, refusing to change for others. She knew the most important relationship in life was with herself and proved to the world that we are flawless, just as we are.
ANGELA DAVIS (1944-Present) is a civil rights activist, feminist, accomplished writer, and educator. She is an advocate for the dismantling of the prison-industrial complex and is a founding member of the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism (CCDS). She has published over ten books including Women, Race, and Class (1980), and Abolition Democracy: Beyond Empire, Prisons, and Torture (2005). She is currently a professor in the History of Consciousness and Feminist Studies Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Theme Song: “Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves” - The Eurythmics feat. Aretha Franklin
Now this is a song/
To celebrate/
The conscious liberation/
Of the female state
Angela Davis is a prime example of using your voice to resist oppression and enact change, especially on topics like prison abolition, feminism, and civil rights.
LIZZO (1988-Present) is a singer, rapper, songwriter, and flutist who is known for her trailblazing views on self-care, mental health, and body positivity. She is an inspiration to women around the world to love themselves and celebrate their uniqueness. She champions LGBTQ+ rights and diversity, and she continually uplifts others with her music.
Theme Song: “Bo$$” - Fifth Harmony
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T/
That's me, I'm confident/
Don't want yo compliments/
Use common sense/
I could’ve easily used ANY of Lizzo’s own songs as her theme song (“Soulmate”, “Good As Hell”) but since I love bridging artists, this banger fits perfectly with Lizzo’s message of self-love, confidence, and not taking sh-! from anyone.
JAZZIE COLLINS (1958-2013) was an HIV-positive African American transgender woman who was involved in tenant’s rights, labor rights, transgender rights, and aging and health issues. She represented minority communities and served on many community boards, including the Senior and Disability Action and the Lesbian Gay Transgender Senior Disabled Housing Task Force, and she was one of the founders of Queers for Economic Equality Now (QUEEN). She also founded the annual Trans March in San Francisco among many other accomplishments, and she will be remembered for her work for justice for all.
Theme Song: “I’m Every Woman” Chaka Khan
I'm every woman, it's all in me/
Anything you want done, baby/
I'll do it naturally/
I'm every woman, it's all in me
It’s clear how much Jazzie Collins cared about her community and fellow humans. I think in some ways, her compassion really led her to view herself as every woman, taking on the responsibility to fight for the rights for all.
TAMMY DUCKWORTH (1968-Present) is a United States Senator from Illinois and an Iraq War veteran. While in Iraq, her helicopter was hit by an RPG causing her to suffer injuries that caused her to lose both legs and partial mobility in one of her arms. Despite this, she is the first Thai American woman and the first woman with a disability elected to Congress, as well as the first female double amputee in the Senate and the first senator to give birth while in office. She supports comprehensive immigration reform, abortion rights, and gun control.
Theme Song: “Fight Song” - Rachel Platten
Starting right now I'll be strong/
I'll play my fight song/
And I don't really care if nobody else believes/
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me
If anyone’s an example of a fighter, it’s Tammy Duckworth. Despite all odds, she has persevered and shown us all that when you’re knocked down, get back up again and nothing can stand in your way.
RUTH BADER GINSBERG (1933-2020) was a Supreme Court Justice who fought for liberty and justice for all. She became a feminist icon both professionally and socially for her accomplishments progressing women’s rights. Here are just a few: she made it illegal for state-funded schools to bar women, she paved the way for the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, she fought for equal pay, she secured a woman’s right to choose, she fought for protection for pregnant women in the workplace, and she was a key vote in granting same-sex marriage. She continues to be an ideal for dignity and power that young women and grown women alike look up to, earning her place in history as the Notorious RBG.
Theme Song: "Run the World (Girls)" - Beyoncé
Who run the world? Girls (girls)/
Who run the world? Girls (girls)/
Who run the world? Girls (girls)/
Who run the world? Girls (girls)
Period.
KAMALA HARRIS (1964-Present) is the 49th Vice President of the United States and the first woman to hold the position! She is the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, and the first African American and first Asian American vice president. Before becoming Vice President, she was the second African American woman and the first South Asian American to serve in the United States Senate. She is an advocate for healthcare reform, the DREAM Act, and progressive tax reform.
Theme Song: “The Future is Female” - Madame Gandhi
We have to value girls more than their looks/
The biggest threat is a girl with a book/
The system must make room for all that we do/
We've been bleeding each month till we gave birth to you!
“Wear shoes ladies, there’s glass everywhere.” Kamala may be the first, but she certainly won’t be the last. Women are continuing to make history everyday.
Of course there are many many more incredible women who are trailblazers in their fields and are continuing to pave the way for our future—including you! So, go out there and shine, claim your destiny, and live your best life! You deserve it. Happy Women’s History Month.
Check out the full playlist here.
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