From motocross chicks to hairy armpits… Monday Menagerie brings it.
Fearless Female Motocross Rider Races for Gender Equality in Iran
Doesn’t that photo (at top) just make you wanna say, “Oh HELL YES! That is SO COOL!!!” I will not hide my adolescent-like adoration of truly bad-ass chicks. Behnaz Shafiei is a 26-year-old Iranian and “…one of six women making huge cultural and legal strides for female motorcycle racers in Iran — and women at large.”
I highly suggest you dive into her Instagram, it’s full of bad-ass-chickery.
This Amazing Village in India Plants 111 Trees Every Time a Little Girl is Born
Can you imagine if every culture in the world had this tradition? It is things like this that make my heart sing out of the love for human possibility.
“The trees become a symbol for the baby girl and the villagers work just as hard to protect the trees…as they do the girls from all the hardships of life.”
(shared by Jamie Bullock)
16 of History’s Most Rebellious Women
A brief slideshow to get to know some amazing females from recent history. Definitely introduced me to some women I’d not known about before.
Just another awesome example of how Robyn is looking out for the next generation of girls
As I write this, I’m listening to Robyn’s 90’s song “Show Me Love”. I forgot what a truly great song this is! And I’m back in middle school all over again…
Today that Robyn is doing something totally and utterly cool/great/fabulous. She recently launched Tekla, a one-day tech festival for young girls. I would love to see this kind of thing here in the States!
Read the piece on Hello Giggles (link above in heading) or just watch the video:
<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/129549232″>Teklafestivalen</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/teklafestival”>Tekla Festival</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>
(shared by Jamie Bullock)
Honorary Spinster: Can I Be a ‘Single Lady’ Without Being Single?
Ann Friedman seemingly leaves no stone unturned in her deep analysis of singledom vs. couplehood. There’s a lot about “claiming of identities” and “role titles” in this piece, which can get tiresome, but overall I think it’s well-written and thought-provoking.
My takeaway: We are a generation obsessed with identity titles.
Writing for 1MW changed the way I treat the world
Amy McClelland writes her thoughts about making small changes everyday.
“Why do we do this stuff? Why did I do it? I can think back to times where I was a completely broke student, and all the things I could have done to save money. The point I’m making here is that a change of perspective is all we need.“
(shared by Jamie Bullock)
Miss Piggy Enthusiastically Embraces The Feminist Label
I had no idea what a great writer Miss Piggy was. Yes this piece is funny and lighthearted, but it’s also pretty awesome. I love me some Miss Piggs!
“I believe any woman who is willing to struggle, strive — and if necessary learn karate — to make their mark in the world is a feminist.”
Collaborating with a 4-year Old
An artist mother gets a new sketchbook and her little girl asks her to share it… the results are at once adorable, unique, moving, and magnificent.
(shared by Elizabeth Davis)
On Aging
I love how so many great things, like this short interview about aging with Frances McDormand, are quietly shared through the ever-growing community of female bloggers. I found this piece via Miss Moss, who found it via A Cup of Jo, who found it via NYC Taught Me. Thank you to the women who beat a path to so much good stuff out there!
So Should We All Grow Out Our Pit Hair This Summer?
Two pieces about the “growing trend” of female armpit hairiness.
The one from the NY Times reports on a “women’s underarm hair contest” in China, and looks at the growing feminist movement there surrounding the respect of a natural female body.
The piece from NYMag/The Cut is brief but mentions how a few American starlets are publicly hopping on the trend. I feel like it undervalues the importance of this issue in China, by featuring a comically Photoshopped image of a white woman’s hairy underarm and an accompanying article that’s more like tabloid fodder than thought-provoking journalism. But still, it’s being talked about.
I’m all for the liberation of the female body (I’d burn every bra I own this minute if visible nipples weren’t such a big stinking deal) but honestly I’m a big fan of razor-use. Regardless, I think this movement is pretty great, and it raises questions about cross-cultural beauty norms.