It seems like this summer in particular was the summer of the girl. From girl dinners to hot girl walks, women were embracing their inner girl. Girlhood has a nostalgic sense that draws us to familiar and unrestrained ideas of the past. It also takes men completely out of the picture and rejects the status quo. Many were hoping to see the first female President take office this January. Now, many girlhood trends are circulating the internet as women look for ways to keep the year of the girl going. From books to speeches and music, here are 10 ways to honor your girlhood and lift your spirits.
1. Barbie Movie
America Ferrera’s monologue from the Barbie movie has been circulating around social media. If you’ve seen it, you’ve probably shed a few tears. In an epic speech about what it means to be a woman today, the character Gloria tells Barbie how much it pains her that Barbie feels like she isn’t good enough. The movie is worth a re-watch if you’re looking for a humorous acknowledgment of Barbie’s problematic past.
2. Emma Watson’s Speech at The United Nations
In a memorable speech at the HeForShe Conference, Emma Watson shared her experience of being a woman. She shared experiences from her youth when she was labeled as bossy for wanting to direct plays, but the boys were not. She asks, “How can we affect change in this world when only half of it
is invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation?” Listen to her full speech to hear her views on feminism and the action we all must take.
3. 4B Movement
American women are taking a page out of South Korea’s 4B Movement. South Korean women in a radical movement have sworn off of men. They refuse to have children, date, or marry men. Some join the movement for political reasons and others say that they are happier being single. Another component of the movement is women supporting other women such as shopping at women-owned businesses, nurturing relationships with other women, and embracing the culture of women.
4. Little Women
Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women is a classic glimpse into nineteenth-century gender roles. There’s something comforting reading about the March sister’s coming of age. It’s easy to connect with the sisters as they find their place in the world and try to find equality. The 2019 movie is also available on Hulu if you prefer a movie.
5. Notorious RBG
Since Ruth Bader Ginsberg passed away in September 2020, her legacy has been a beacon of hope. A champion for women’s rights, voting rights, and healthcare, Notorious RBG is best known for leading the fight against gender discrimination. If you’re looking for some inspiration from RBG, the movie On The Basis of Sex will do the trick. Her memoir My Own Words is also packed with wisdom.
6. Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poet’s Department
Post election there have been many playlists created on Spotify featuring Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department. The album spent multiple weeks on the Billboard top 20 list and many of Taylor’s albums are still in the top 200 this week. There’s nothing like blasting Down Bad to get out all your feelings. I Can Do It with a Broken Heart takes on a whole new meaning as well.
7. Well This is Exhausting, Sophia Benoit
Critics describe Sophia Benoit’s essays on modern womanhood as laugh-out-loud funny. If you’re looking for some witty humor, Benoit delivers. Benoit explores topics like trying to do the right thing in her youth and trying to live up to society’s expectations. She recounts the highs and lows of today’s dating world and dealing with anxiety. It might be the most hilarious book you read this year that’s also full of importance.
8. TED Talk by V. Eve Ensler
In her TED Talk, Embrace Your Inner Girl V. talks about her travels around the world speaking to girls. She’s best known for writing The Vagina Monologues and her activism work to end violence against women. In her TED Talk, she speaks often about society trying to get rid of the ‘girl cell’ that is in us all. Her stories about girls around the world overcoming adversity and realizing their strength as girls will empower you.
9. Hidden Figures
The 2016 movie Hidden Figures is a triumphant story of three African American women at NASA. Powerhouse women actresses like Octavia Spenser, Taraji Henson, and Janelle Monae carry the movie. They serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history, the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. If you’re looking for a reminder that women can do anything, this movie deserves a re-watch.
10. A League of Their Own
Another feel-good girlhood movie, A League of Their Own is set during World War II when men’s baseball teams were depleted. During this time, a professional all-female baseball league springs up. The women on the team form a sisterhood as they navigate trying to gain popularity, husband’s expectations, and being a woman during this time.
Feel Good Girlhood
If you need a mood boost or are looking for ways to cope right now, embracing girlhood may help. Girlhood is not to say that women are girls and not grown up, but it’s embracing the sisterhood of the girl. Sometimes it’s messy, but it’s real. Girlhood is all about women propping up other women and celebrating what makes us unique. Whether reading female literature, volunteering, or supporting female businesses, it’s a way to use our voices. So yes, while girlhood does include trends like girl math or strawberry girl makeup, it’s more about embracing everything that makes us girls.