You can do anything! That’s the message of the seven decades of female risk takers, rule breakers and style makers here. We celebrate them with the help of some very-2009 young talents.
In 1932 Earhart—with her leather jacket, scarf and close-cropped hair—became the first female aviator to fly a solo transatlantic flight, redefining expectations of women along the way. Though the 39-year-old disappeared in 1937 during a flight around the world, she still serves as a reminder of female fearlessness.
In 1942 the U.S. government commissioned the “We Can Do It!” poster, which featured an image of a character who became known as Rosie the Riveter. Her biceps-revealing shirtsleeves and determined look were meant to motivate American women to step out of the kitchen and into the factory to replace the men who had been pressed into service during World War II. And millions did just that, paving the way for us to pull down paychecks more than 60 years later.
As an aspiring singer, Holiday suffered sexual abuse, struggled with a drug habit and encountered racism everywhere. But the late Lady Day—one of the first African American women to sing with an all-white orchestra—translated all of that pain into some of the most achingly personal songs ever recorded. (Download “Strange Fruit,” which she sang at her 1948 Carnegie Hall concert, and listen for yourself.)
After years of playing segregated tennis, the late Althea Gibson tore down the color barrier of competition in 1950, when, at age 23, she became the first African American to compete in major U.S. championships—and, in 1957, the first to win Wimbledon. In her crisp whites, “the Jackie Robinson of tennis,” as she was known, won 11 major titles.
OK, she was born in Belgium, but Hepburn became one of the most beloved American movie stars. Her sharp, sensitive turn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s made the film a must-see for women of all ages, while the late actress’s elegant style continues to inspire women to this day.
The dawning of the Age of Aquarius in the late sixties was more than a musical orgy. Hippies, with their spirit of protest and we-can-do-anything energy, helped usher in a new generation of free-thinking, independent-minded women. Goodbye, white gloves; hello, jeans!
Mary Tyler Moore’s namesake television show debuted in 1970 and instantly became a megahit. A thirtysomething producer, Moore’s character, Mary Richards, was a sassy, single career woman who was more focused on having a satisfying work life and valuable friendships than husband hunting. But young women recognized Mary—and her working wardrobe of flared pants and wrapdresses—as themselves. And they never looked back.
A fierce advocate for migrant farmers, Huerta cofounded, with César Chávez, what became the United Farm Workers of America. In 1975 she played a critical role in enacting policies that allowed workers to bargain for better wages and conditions. Today, at age 79, Huerta continues to be active—last year she campaigned for Hillary Clinton’s presidential run.
In 1984 Madonna told American Bandstand host Dick Clark that her dream was to “rule the world.” Months later she was on her way—her album Like a Virgin skyrocketed to number one on the Billboard charts. She’s been a pop-culture powerhouse ever since, and last year, Sticky & Sweet was the highest-grossing tour by a solo artist ever.
Have we ever seen a more obsessed fashionista than Sex and the City’s cosmo-sipping Carrie (brilliantly played by Sarah Jessica Parker)? Nu-uh, honey. With her nameplate necklaces, flower pins and endless parade of instantly copied outfits, Carrie was feminine and feminist at the same time, like the love child of Manolo Blahnik and Gloria Steinem!
Amazing moment in sports history #1: Chastain, then 31, scores the game-winning penalty kick against China in the first-ever women’s World Cup soccer final, in 1999. Amazing moment #2: Chastain dives to her knees and tears off her jersey in celebration. Newspapers debated whether to run the photo, and commentators were shocked that she exposed her—gasp!—sports bra. But they missed the point: This was a moment when women let out a collective roar of approval and little girls discovered a new hero.
Not only is Obama the first African American filling the position, but she’s already making best-dressed headlines for a style that ranges from couture to J.Crew. Raised in Chicago, Obama, 45, powered on to Princeton and Harvard Law School before beginning a career during which she met, mentored and married our current President. Hail to our newest smart, opinionated, chic First Lady!
No comments:
Post a Comment