I’m not usually one to hop on official days to write a blog post about, but this morning while I was scrolling on Instagram, and as I was thinking about “International Women’s Day” and what it means to me, and then subsequently falling down a rabbit hole of women who inspire me, I was struck by something. Given this year’s theme, #ChooseToChallenge, I noticed a few posts by women whom I think are making those choices, showing up not only today, but everyday by calling out gender bias and inequality and celebrating women’s achievements. I also want to take this time to thank all the women who have supported me throughout the years, through good times and not so good; and to all those before us, whose shoulders we’re all now standing upon, thank you.
Here are a few outstanding “women supporting women” I have come to know and follow online.
1. Medina Grillo
(Above)
Grillo Designs
In Medina’s Instagram stories today, she posted about the support she received from fellow blogger, Charlotte Jacklin (see below), as a panelist at a conference back in 2018. Two of the white influencers dominated the conversation, and Medina noticed that a lot of the questions were directed their way. And what struck Medina as she mentions in her story, “Was I invited here to tick a box? Was my being here an attempt for the organisers of the panel to appear diverse? Did they really care to hear what I had to say?” But she remembers fellow panelist/blogger, Charlotte Jacklin intentionally passing her the mic each time she was asked a question because she felt Charlotte could also sense that. This is such a great example of women supporting women. And now, Medina supports Charlotte by mentioning this today.
I love this so much.
Also, if you haven’t visited Medina’s blog and instagram feed you are totally missing out. In real life, she works as a healthcare professional (thank you healthcare workers), but during her free time she shares her talent of cool DIY ideas and tutorials, IKEA-inspired hacks and home decor designs from her UK-based home.
2. Charlotte Jacklin
of Charlotte
As mentioned above, Charlotte did the right thing, and it’s women like her and Medina that really need to shine, not only today, but everyday. Following Charlotte on Instagram I’ve noticed throughout this past year, she has on a consistent basis called out gender bias and inequality and celebrates others. A great example of someone to celebrate, especially today.
If you haven’t already been introduced to Charlotte, you may have known her in the past through her now retired publication, Betty Magazine. Also coming from a background in digital marketing (mostly fashion) and lecturing on this subject at both UCA and London College of Fashion, Charlotte now features her favourite fashion finds, travel guides, and many of her current obsessions from film, TV to interiors and food on her blog Charlotte. As she mentions in her bio, her “passions in life are wearing midi dresses, interiors and all things floral related”. And we’re here for it.
3. Tosha Stimage
of Saint Flora and Three Knees
Another woman who stands out to me and whom I’ve recently discovered (via another woman whom I’ll feature next), is Tosha Stimage of Saint Flora. Tosha is a visual artist living and working in Berkeley, California and on top of creating the most vibrant, collage-style (as she calls it) floral arrangements for her floral design company, Saint Flora and works of art on her art page, Three Knees, is perhaps one of the most supportive people I’ve seen online for many causes from last month’s Black History Month, to a fundraiser project she’s currently working on called Flowers for Dreamfarm Residency, a social art installation that uses Dreamfarm Commons as a site for the distribution of hope through gifts of flowers and artwork prioritizing Black identifying individuals as well as Frontline and Essential workers.
Her floral arrangements really are works of art.
4. Liz Hernandez
Artist
I wrote about Liz’s work in a blog post earlier this year (link here), and alongside her art (which I love), I also love her devotion to supporting other artists and women —most recently to Tosha Stimage whom I learned about on her Instagram stories.
A Mexican artist now living in Oakland, California, Liz works primarily with topics related to her identity. She pulls imagery from her memories of living in Mexico City, focusing on the way the mundane and the extraordinary coalesce. Most recently she just finished up a mural “𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘫𝘶𝘳𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘭𝘢 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘪ó𝘯 𝘥𝘦 𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘰” (A spell for the healing of our future) which is located inside of the SFMOMA on the 3rd floor landing in San Francisco.
5. Mary Burgers
Communications and Creative Director at Burgers Architecture
If ever there was a wish for a real life penpal, I’d pick Mary Burgers for mine. An instant-Instagram friend, I was immediately drawn to Mary’s knack for clever captions and amazing eye for everything modern design. Although we live in the same area, we’ve never yet met IRL, but my intuition says she’s a woman’s woman and one of those people I could easily steal wild horses with. Go follow her!
6. Andrea Corrona Jenkins
at Hulaseventy
The first person to ever comment on my blog 16 years ago this month. What more can I say. That is our common denominator, and even though there are miles upon miles between us, we remain blog friends after all these years. Her polaroids and photos will WOW you, her words will ZOW you.
Also check out all her photobooth friday posts on her blog. A treasure trove of collected images before anyone was collecting them, I’m sure. The OG of photobooth photo collections. Thank you Andrea for all your inspiration throughout the years.
7. Dr. Carrie Jones
Hormone Savvy Doc
If you’re a woman and are not following Dr. Carrie Jones yet, do so now! If you haven’t heard of the D.U.T.C.H. test yet either, consider this your introduction. Dr. Carrie Jones is a board-certified Naturopathic Physician and is the Medical Director for the D.U.T.C.H. test, (a Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) with Precision Analytical. She is a wealth of information on all things-hormone related (inside/out) it seems, and shares so much more each and everyday from topics like detoxing, thyroid, supplements, hair loss, and all those things women seem to go through because of their horomones. I really trust her and the information she shares and am so thankful she’s online.
