Entertainment
Happy Birthday Gloria Steinem, Aretha Franklin, Danica Patrick, Sarah Jessica Parker! Happy Birthday Feminism!
Happy birthday, amazing, trailblazing, hardworking, inspiring women of the world! Today marks the birthday of four women whose careers and outreach have changed the course for women all around the world through politics, music, film, and sports. In celebration of Gloria Steinem, Aretha Franklin, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Danica Patrick, all of whom celebrate their birthdays today, we're sending some extra-special thank yous their way. Without their work, the state of women's healthcare, rights to fair pay, place in culture, and dissolution of the universal "boys club" that pervades all corners of society would be far, far different than it is today.
So here's to these wonderful women and their diverse, impactful, and absolutely unforgettable work. A very happy birthday to you all! Now let's all keep fighting the good fight together, shall we?
Gloria Steinem
Incredible fact: Gloria Steinem is one of the founders of the Women’s Action Alliance, “a pioneering national information center that specialized in nonsexist, multiracial children’s education.” She’s also the reason why we have the National Women’s Political Caucus, which works to get pro-equality women elected and appointed office on both national and state levesl. She also co-founded theWomen’s Media Center, and was president and co-founder of Voters for Choice. Among her many achievements, she has done a staggering amount of work to aid pro-choice causes, women’s healthcare, women in public office, and the safety and welfare of women all around the world. She is more than a pioneer and a hero. I don’t know if there’s a word in our humble language that can encompass all that Gloria Steinem is.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Incredible fact: She’s been an ambassador to UNICEF since 1997. In 2011, she introduced the UNICEF HIV/AIDS Innovation Fund. The project aims to bring awareness, education, prevention and treatment research in hopes to eradicate the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In her own words, ”“We can accelerate progress against HIV and AIDS and emancipate the next generation from a life burdened by HIV… this is not a choice we have…It is simply what we must do, together.”
Aretha Franklin
Incredible fact: She was the first female artist inducted into the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and also performed at the funeral services of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 where she performed the song “Precious Lord.” She is one of the most celebrated musical artists of the past century and she will go down in history as the queen of Soul and R&B.
Danica Patrick
Incredible fact: Danica Patrick is a trailblazer for women in sports. She is the first woman to lead the Indy 500 and the first woman to win the pole position at the Daytona 500.
Gloria Steinem
Words of wisdom:
”Any woman who chooses to behave like a full human being should be warned that the armies of the status quo will treat her as something of a dirty joke. That’s their natural and first weapon. She will need her sisterhood.”
Aretha Franklin
Words of wisdom:
”Don’t say Aretha is making a comeback, because I’ve never been away!”
Sarah Jessica Parker
Words of wisdom:
”So we strive for perfection in the areas in which we can control, and that isn’t necessarily what provides contentment and joy for ourselves.”
Danica Patrick
“I was brought up to be the fastest driver, not the fastest girl. That’s how I’ve always approached my racing career. I’ve been lucky enough to make history and be the first woman to do many things. We have a lot more history to make and we are excited to do it.”
