Inspirational International Artists
Mural art by Sophy Robson, found in Stockwell London. Photo can be found here
This is part two of our March Women’s month blog, where we have included links to inspiring activists, writers, artists and musicians from around the world, including those female and non-binary. I hope the events of last month will not be forgotten by those in power, and you can find last month’s blog by clicking here.
Firstly, I wanted to address some recent news features to illustrate why recognising and celebrating women is so important.
Balancing Gender Equality
There is increasing statistics showing how women are treated poorly, face discrimination, and generally not considered as equals in society.
Data between March 2020 to February 2021 released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) report “showed women had been "disproportionately impacted" by repeated lockdowns. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56345712 and “52%
This video addresses black women’s mental health, and inequalities through the pandemic I found this striking, and so valuable to hear a personal story not just read the statistics. I hope there is more revealed in this way and stories shared to support women.
Intersectionality is a hugely important topic, here’s an interview with the woman who brought the word into the mainstream from law https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/5/20/18542843/intersectionality-conservatism-law-race-gender-discrimination .
Celebrating women
One way of celebrating women is through commemorating their historic achievements. This month it was announced that six new plaques will go up for Princess Diana and 5 other trailblazing women in London. It’s also an example of underrepresentation, in 2018 English Heritage revealed only 14% of blue plaques were for women (or in reverse, that’s 86% men!) Partially because women and other minority groups previously had far fewer rights and opportunities, hopefully, we can reach equality sooner now we are being recognised. This is why I think it is so important to celebrate each other whenever we can!
An honourable mention goes out to Dr Nawal El Saadawi in this blog, who sadly recently passed away at the age of 89- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-55048245
Dr Nawal El Saadawi
Dr Nawal is an Egyptian writer, activist, psychiatrist and physician. Most of her writing explores feminism and women’s rights issues. She was arrested for publishing a feminist magazine. She is the founder of The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association.
Instagram link @nawal_elsaadawi
Magda al-Sabahi
Magda is an Egyptian Actress and producer. Most of her films address gender and social constructed issues. In 1995, Magda was elected president of the Egyptian Women in Film Association.
Marcelle Barreto
Marcelle is a jazz musician, educator and producer from Sao Paulo, Brazil. She has toured abroad, is an activist for Women and Trans Rights in Brazil, and inspires anyone who watches her with her talent for improvisation on the piano, dedication to the arts, and commitment to the rights of trans people.
Website https://marcellebarreto.com/
Zainab Fasiki
Zainab is a Moroccan Artist, Activist, Author and Mechanical Engineer, she has developed a social initiative called WomenPower قوةالنساءالمغربيات, a community Liberating and helping Moroccan women to become successful artists and entrepreneurs via events, workshops, trainings, and art. She has also produced a project/book in French.
Instagram links @zainab_fasiki @womenpowermorocco @hshouma
Website www.hshouma.com
Ash Lukachevsky
Ash is an illustrator + visual artist born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, her work centres on issues of LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant rights, climate justice, and mental health.
Instagram @ashlukadraws
Website http://www.ashleylukashevsky.com/
Onyeka Igwe
Onyeka is a London-based artist-filmmaker, and researcher who works with archives to explore embodiment and voice to explore the question 'How do we live together?'. She has done extensive research into colonial moving images which formed the basis for her practice-based PhD.
Instagram links @dark_sugars
Website www.onyekaigwe.com
Women Who Inspire Us Instagram posts
Click the image to expand, or click below to take you to our Instagram posts with more details about who these women are…
Claire Wineland https://www.instagram.com/p/CMCUJAuq8O3/
Mona Eltahaway https://www.instagram.com/p/CMSizQIoXHU/
Bell Hooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CMfc465rN8d/
Ruth Bader Ginsburg https://www.instagram.com/p/CM2eVO2oIkj/
Women of the World Festival 2021
I was lucky enough to attend the WOW festival 2021 (hosted by the WOW Foundation) where they highlighted many international singers and musicians (you can find the full list here) All the artists were amazing in their own way, and I encourage you to check each of them out to see who resonates with you. Here are the people who are on my mind, and I have included their Instagram and linked tree*:
Kimmortal
Kimmortal (photo on left) I liked their work because they have a both energetic and soothing voice, and I particularly connected with the song Longing.
instagram https://www.instagram.com/kimmortaltheartist/
Linktree https://linktr.ee/kimmortal/
Muthoni Drummer Queen
Muhthoni (photo in middle) I loved the power behind her words particularly in the song Power and the lyric “You would have us forget, you would have us make it easier, Have us regret, you would never say her name” and I found the use of her native language very powerful.
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/muthonidrummerqueen/
Linktree https://linktr.ee/muthonidrummerqueen
Ditty
Ditty (photo on the right) As an environementalist myself, I really enjoyed hearing her words as an ecologist, her poetic voice, and a sweet note to nature in her words. I love the part on her website about sustainability and how conscious she is.
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heyyditty/
Linktree https://linktr.ee/heyyditty
Phew, thanks for making it to the end of the blog! I hope you found this useful, and enjoy discovering some of the many people linked here! If you like, consider signing up to our mailing list (below) and be sure to follow us on Instagram and/or Facebook :)
*Link tree will take you to many web links, including their website if you can find them on other social media, music streaming platforms, any other links useful for them. They’re a really interesting way of directing people to your different websites, (if you’re an artist you may want to create one for yourself at https://linktr.ee/). (I have included these for people without an Instagram account.)
