11 Badass Women Share Their Thoughts on International Women's Day

Future is Female poster designed by Kimothy Joy

We asked 11 women the following question in anticipation of International Women’s Day (today!!), a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Q: If you could steer the conversation around International Women’s Day, what would that dialogue be about?

These are their badass answers.

LAUREN MILLER ROGEN 

Oh man, so many important things! I think there are many conversations worth having. But, I think one of the biggest issues that women still face is breaking gender stereotypes that have been laid out for them for generations and generations, so for me I love to celebrate women who really broke the mold whether it be Eleanor Roosevelt, Malala, Beyoncé, or Kamala Harris. Women are doing AMAZING things and I think that there are so many worth highlighting to inspire women everywhere by examining the choices trailblazers made along their way.

DAYA

As women, we need to focus more on building each other up rather than tearing each other down. We need to lead the way to change and we are not going to make progress unless we focus on bringing other women with us so we can rise together.

FRANCHESCA RAMSEY 

I'd encourage more women to be intersectional in their activism. It's important to acknowledge our privilege and remember that there are all types of women from a variety of walks of life that face challenges that we do not. If you're truly committed to advocating for women you have to be willing to stand up for all women regardless of race, sexuality, physical ability, religion, class or gender identity, not just ladies that look like you.

CONSTANCE ZIMMER 

Equality. I find it unbelievable that a woman doing the same job as a man is not making the same amount of money. That's mind boggling to me.

SANAA LATHAN

I want us to focus on anything around mentoring and empowering young girls-- from body image to cultural pride to self-esteem and self-worth.

NICOLE BYER

That all women are beautiful, smart, strong as fuck and special. We also have to listen to each other and remember to be inclusive. There's feminism and intersectional feminism.

LAUREN CONRAD  

I think the progress we've made in recent years is fantastic, but we still a lot of work to do. As women we should do all we can to support each other and continue to move in the right direction. We are always stronger together.

LAUREN PAUL 

I would hope that the conversation is well rounded and that it would make every woman feel celebrated.  Whether you are a politician, CEO or a mother. There is no specific definition to what a strong, empowered woman looks like because that varies for each person. To define that, ultimately creates exclusion because we are all different. In this beautiful chapter where feminism and girl bosses are highlighted (yay!) I really want stay at home mothers to feel celebrated and reminded that they too are hard-working HEROS.

PIERA GELARDI

The world is sitting on a huge untapped natural resource: billions of women who have not been able to reach their full potential. I’d love to create a vision statement and paint a picture of what the world would look like — what greatness we could unleash by bringing Women’s Equality and Empowerment to the forefront. And show that there’s a huge business case for doing this.

MANDY MOORE

I hope the dialogue continues around gender equality and recognizing the need for a larger political, cultural and social shift when it comes to pro-women policies on a global level. When women and girls are empowered, educated, healthy and free of violence, they can recognize their full potential and make an enormous impact on their communities and ultimately the world economy.

SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR

I hope to see more women supporting other women. I have always believed that when women work together we can do anything. So often we are pitted against each other instead of remembering we are a big tribe.

What do you hope for today? Share below!

MORE FROM OUR BLOG 

Entertainment: Mandy Moore

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Entertainment List Here.

Crushing on the woman who's crushing her career. 

On Saturday morning, wearing a blue sweatshirt with the words, "For most of history Anonymous was a woman," across her chest and a pink "pussy" hat, actress Mandy Moore, joined a reported fellow 750,000 women, men, and children at the Women's March in Downtown Los Angeles. 

Though the pop "Candy" songstress turned Golden Globe nominated actress has received accolades for her current work on This Is Us on NBC, this past weekend Moore took the streets as if to say, This, Is ALL of US. "What a way to celebrate the collective energy of so many people unwilling to sit idly by. One for the books," the award nominee wrote on her Instagram. Not what some would expect from a former TRL charter, but crushing career stereotypes is part of her repertoire.

Moore escaped the standard downward spiral of a young-to-fame pop princess. When critics said she was simply “too nice,” she kept working, at times typecast, but steadily building her acting career. Since her debut in role in 2001 as the voice of a Girl Bear Cub in Dr. Doolittle 2, Moore has been cast in over twenty films. She managed to keep her 2015 divorce relatively private. And steers clear of the pomp and circumstance of Hollywood. Maybe it's that angelic smile that keeps her floating above the drama, or the fact that Moore keeps her head as firmly attached to her shoulders as her feet to the ground. “At 32 years old, I feel a comfort in my own skin and a sense of determination in my choices that I thought I had all along but really I had no idea,” the actress admits. "There’s no substitute for time or the wisdom and clarity that comes with it. I’ve been working hard to quit apologizing for things I have no control over or no business apologizing for in the first place.”

Or perhaps it’s the lessons she’s kept tucked in her toolkit from her teen years in a notoriously sexist music industry. “Surround yourself with GOOD people,” she says. “I’m lucky enough to have a stable and supportive foundation when it comes to my family and friends so I’ve always attributed that as being the most critical piece of the puzzle. Beyond that, always, always, always trust your gut. When in doubt, DON’T.” 

"Always, always, always trust your gut. When in doubt, DON’T.” 

Tweet this. 

Those women include a stellar squad of empowered women who, Moore says, have “shown me that there’s so much value in learning how to say no, staying true to your vision and finding the courage to take risks.” And her mom, who sent her daughter a pillow the morning of the Globes embroidered with the phrase, “so believed she could so she did.” That she has. 

At present, the low-maintenance performer's risks include making active and bold choices in her life and career, something that wasn’t always the case. “Like a lot of people,” she explains, “I allowed fear to govern my life for a period. I became exceptionally good at making myself and my needs as minuscule as possible as not to disturb other parts of my life. Once I realized that those broken patterns weren’t leading me where I wanted to go, I leaned into the pain, embraced change and started owning my power.” Whether she’s singing, acting, or marching down Broadway, the choices she’s making are her own. 

The industry, and the viewers who turned out in droves to watch This Is Us last fall, are taking notice. With a radical 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a two-season renewal from the network, things are looking sweet for Moore. But she’s not taking any of it for granted. “Having a job that inspires and challenges me as much as this one does is all of the reward I could ask for. Having said that, this is a WHOLE new world to me and it’s equal parts mind-blowing and humbling. I keep reminding myself to be in the moment and that it’s ok to really appreciate it and not write it off too quickly.” 

We suggest taking a similar approach to Moore and her career, wherever that particular march may take her.