AS WOMEN, OUR POTENTIAL IS ENDLESS.
MODEL MIA MURPHY
THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO EMBRACE WHAT IS AUTHENTIC TO US AND TAKE THE WORLD BY STORM. Graphics Donna Hellberg
The world is changing, and as of late, it’s in favor of those who choose to take all that it has to offer. This shift has been especially encouraging to women–a demographic that, in the past, has been warned against wearing the metaphorical “pants” that society had labeled as only for men. The beauty in this recent change is that the phrase, “ who wears the pants,” has steered away from concerning power dynamics or control, and has grown into an ideal that emphasizes the bravery, boldness, and inspiration of being a woman.
CULTURE
pursuit of changing the world. By being exactly who they are and who they are striving to be, this is where they find their real power.
Today’s world finds itself looking towards some of these remarkable women. Women like Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel laureate who also started a nonprofit for Pakistan girls’ education; Ava DuVernay, who makes life-changing documentaries focused on justice; Lizzie Valesquez, a motivational speaker against bullying; and Pants are ever-changing. The evolution of pants, not only Samira Nasr, who is the first woman of color in Harper in fashion but as a symbol of equality for women, has been Bazaar’s history to be appointed editor in chief, to name a long time coming. This evolution, however, would mean a few. very little without the courageous “pants-wearing” women who are moving the world forward. As these women, and many others, continue to lead the way and pave the path to what is possible, it’s recognizable Although this evolution has changed the world for the better, that all of their strengths and achievements have become a unfortunately, women still find themselves fighting against beacon of hope for other women to follow in their footsteps. misogynistic beliefs and ancient stereotypes. These ideas stem from centuries ago when the very notion of pants In the simplest of terms, however, women themselves are weren’t seen as appropriate for women, and they fought to, truly just… inspiring. Their raw beauty, seen in so many quite literally, put a pair on. forms, impassioned, complex nature, mysterious aura, true grit, and overall ethereal temperament are unparalleled. Put Stepping out from their movie premiers, Hollywood icons, them in some pants? They’ll show you how unstoppable Katherine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich, both rebel- they can really be. liously dressed in full pantsuits to raise a few eyebrows. “I put on pants 50 years ago and declared a sort of middle Truthfully, it takes a lot of gut and soul to be a woman in road,” Hepburn said in a 1981 interview after wearing her this world. Another of the many reasons that women truly brother’s clothing. are so enchanting. The opportunities are endless with who and what women can now be. It’s an invigorating time to Women have come a long way since these times. “Wearing create a beautiful life that serves and truly fulfills them. the pants” is both a metaphor and a way of being. There A time where pants come cropped, ripped, colorful, and is beauty surrounding the individuality of women and even flared. And the best part? They’re no longer worn only their ability to be true to who they are, while in the by men.
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