Why 2017 Was an Amazing Year to Be a Woman

Why 2017 Was an Amazing Year to Be a Woman

In 2017, women achieved numerous victories, both big and small, that deserve celebration and serve as inspiration for the coming year. Who knows, perhaps next year your voice will be the decisive one?

Taylor Swift and the Battle for a Dollar

Just one dollar—that’s all the singer asked for in her lawsuit against DJ David Mueller, who groped her in 2013. Mueller was fired after her complaint, and two years later, he sued Swift for $3 million in damages. In response, she insisted on $1—not for the money, but to make a statement about sexual assault. She detailed the incident in court, and the decision was ultimately ruled in her favor. Swift sent a powerful message to survivors of sexual assault: don’t let your attackers intimidate you into silence.

The Women of Westeros

Over seven seasons, “Game of Thrones” depicted complex and often contradictory images of women, including frequent instances of violence against them. Characters like Daenerys Targaryen and Sansa Stark, who were raped by their husbands, have grown significantly. From the Stark sisters reclaiming their home to the multi-titled Khaleesi, these women are far from perfect but show how women find their way and overcome adversity.

The Best Coder in the Country

As the saying goes, if you want something done right, do it yourself. That’s exactly what 82-year-old Masako Wakamiya did when she realized how limited technology was for the elderly. She urged developers to create more user-friendly games and apps, but they showed little interest. So, Masako decided to learn programming herself and wrote her own PC guides. Her first game, dedicated to a festival on Women’s Day, has been released, and she has many more app ideas and plans to hone her development skills.

Rose McGowan, the Voice of a Movement

Rose McGowan publicly condemned the sexism in Hollywood even before the Harvey Weinstein scandal broke. She tweeted about the misogynistic behavior of film crews and revealed that she had been raped by a powerful man. Now, as multiple women come forward with allegations against Weinstein, McGowan has become a voice of the movement. She called for the dissolution of the Weinstein Co board, accused Ben Affleck of lying about his knowledge of the producer’s habits, and spoke out against the Amazon president who supported the perpetrator. Simultaneously, she helped ordinary women find the strength to share their stories under the hashtag #ROSEARMY.

Incredible! Pregnant Women Can…

People often treat pregnant women as delicate flowers who can only lie in bed, sit, and eat for two. But in 2017, stereotypes were shattered. Gal Gadot filmed while five months pregnant. Beyoncé, pregnant with twins, performed at the Grammy Awards. Alysia Montaño competed in the national track and field championships at five months pregnant. Serena Williams won the Australian Open, and no one even knew she was pregnant. Women are literally made for this—why would you think we lose all our strength?

Nicole Kidman and Supporting Female Directors

From “Wonder Woman” to “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Big Little Lies,” Hollywood finally realized that stories about complex women’s lives lead to success. Nicole Kidman, co-producer of “Big Little Lies,” announced that she would only work on projects created by women for the next 18 months, aiming to change the statistics.

A Feminist Statement from Dior

Since last year, the fashion world eagerly awaited the announcement of who would replace Raf Simons as the head of Dior. The position went to Maria Grazia Chiuri, an Italian designer who became the first woman to ever lead the French brand. In her first show, Chiuri added a feminist message: “We Should All Be Feminists,” quoting Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED talk.

The New Doctor is a Woman

When the BBC announced that the next reincarnation of the Doctor in “Doctor Who” would be a woman, the comments poured in, both good and bad. Some people photoshopped nude images of Jodie Whittaker, but all the directors and former actors from the saga supported her. Most importantly, the BBC made it clear that Whittaker would receive equal pay to her male predecessors.

Beauty is Not Dependent on Hair

Pink has built her career on a pop-punk image, rejecting traditional beauty standards. Accepting an award at the VMAs, the singer shared that her 6-year-old daughter told her she was the ugliest girl in the world because of her short hair. Pink responded with a presentation showcasing artists who “lived and created to the fullest, inspiring others,” but were often criticized for not conforming to gender-specific beauty standards. In her speech, she mentioned David Bowie, Prince, Annie Lennox, Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, Janis Joplin, and even Elton John—all of whom lived/live as they please.

Friendship Saving Lives

Selena Gomez released two great hits this summer, “Bad Liar” and “Fetish,” but disappeared from the paparazzi’s radar. It turned out she had to undergo a kidney transplant. Her best friend, Francia Raisa, donated the organ to save her closest person. This selfless act of goodwill is impressive and rare in our harsh world.

Age is Just a Number

Fashion brands prefer to showcase youth, but casting agencies have finally started embracing age diversity. In 2017, Lauren Hutton, a 73-year-old model, appeared on the cover of Vogue Italia and modeled for Calvin Klein underwear. Carla Bruni, Claudia Schiffer, and Naomi Campbell—all over 40—walked the runway for Versace. Zara launched the Timeless campaign, featuring women exclusively over 40.

Cellulite is No Longer a Catastrophe

In 2017, stars were not shy about talking about their stretch marks, and magazines stopped heavily retouching photos for covers, showing women as they are. Actress and activist Lena Dunham wrote on her Instagram, thanking women in Hollywood for allowing girls to find inspiration in any form of their bodies. The statement of body-positive model Sophie Turner can be a motto: “I am more than ‘love handles’ on my sides and fat on my butt.”