Feminism is not a dirty word. Let's repeat that: FEMINISM.IS.NOT.A.DIRTY.WORD. Here at DYLAN LEX, our staff is full of unapologetic women, uncompromising and unafraid to be themselves. The core definition of feminism is what we stand for: the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes. We make statements so that our ARMY can be well-equipped to take on the world. Even if the patriarchy runs it most of the time. *[Insert eye-roll emoji]*
Here are the famous feminists we're honoring this International Women's Day. From rebel Gloria Steinem going undercover as a playboy model, to Maya Angelou's civil rights activism. All of these women deserve to be highlighted and memorialized in the DYLAN LEX Army.
In 1963, Gloria Steinem posed as a playboy bunny girl in a club in Manhattan for two weeks as an undercover reporter for Show magazine. Her writing exposed the rampant sexism that took place as a bunny in the club. She later went on to have an illustrious journalism career, creating Ms. Magazine almost a decade after her bunny stint. In 2001, the magazine was sold to the Feminist Majority Foundation which she remains as a founding editor. Our Steinem II necklace embodies the strength and courage of Gloria herself.
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude," wrote American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou. She became a writer after many job occupations, including working as a dancer and performer in an opera. She worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X during the civil rights movement, and was an author who wrote books surrounding the themes of black identity, culture, and racism. Her 1969 autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was nominated for a National Book Award and continuously remained on the New York Times bestseller list. Our earrings Angelou are an homage to the poet.
You may have heard parts of her powerful speech We Should All Be Feminists at the beginning of Beyonce's Flawless. Nigerian feminist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is known for her writing and novels based on confronting gender roles at the intersections of being black. In 2008, she won the MacArthur Genius Grant and has since then won numerous awards for her activism. A Yale graduate, Adichie is our ultimate girl crush.
You may know her as Grace in Netflix's Grace & Frankie, but we know her as a bada$$ feminist activist who recently, at the age of 82, was arrested for protesting for women's rights. In the 1960s, she was also a civil rights activist protesting alongside the Black Panthers. And if that isn't enough for you... she also protests the rights of Native Americans, has spoken out about violence against women, and advocates for the health and safety of reproductive rights.
We love Malala so much, we named a necklace after her. The youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Malala hasn't had it easy with her activism. She became a prominent activist for the rights of women's education after being shot by a gunman in attempt to retaliate against her and her activism. She was featured in Time magazine as one of the most influential people in the world. She speaks openly about the misogyny she and many other women have faced, and is currently studying at Oxford University.