As I was halfheartedly watching the Oscars Sunday night (since I haven’t seen most of the films yet), I was caught off guard by a commercial that left me with chills. Twitter teamed up with poet Denice Frohman and powerful women leaders and advocates, including Ava Duverney and Issa Rae, to produce a commercial declaring the importance of empowering all women’s voices.
The poem begins, “I heard a woman becomes herself the first time she speaks without permission.”
It was a simple, yet powerful ninety seconds – just the poem being read over a montage of women’s portraits. Though simple, I was impressed by Twitter’s addition to the messages on Oscars night and beyond around #MeToo and Time’s Up and intersectionality.
Not everyone was so impressed – and perhaps rightly so. Many women called Twitter out for the hypocrisy of showing this ad when they do not do enough as a platform to protect women users. To their credit, Twitter responded. Leslie Berland, Twitter CMO, was responding to people real time and acknowledging the ways the platform has failed to protect women while vowing to do better. It seems, at least, that they are aware of their need for growth. I hope that they and other social media platforms live up to the messages they put out into the world, and we should hold them accountable if they fall short.
Author of the poem Denice Frohman tweeted, “Poetry gifts us with the opportunity to take back our power & name ourselves. To ignite & incite. It’s an invitation to our fullest selves. I’m grateful to these women & the many versions of womanhood, and to the queer women of color who’ve nurtured my voice. #HereWeAre.”
I’m grateful to Denice for her words and to Twitter for sharing them. This International Women’s Day, I am more inspired than ever by all the strong, brave, talented women who are not afraid to show their full selves to the world. I am inspired by the increasing conversations around sexual harassment, intersectionality, inclusion, and empowerment. I am inspired by the ways in which we as women are rebuilding the world around us to reflect our distinct and beautiful realities. I hope that you are inspired too. Check out the commercial below and let us know how you will “take back your power” this International Women’s Day.
We stand with women around the world to make their voices heard and their presence known. To bring them front and center, today and every day. Join us as we say #HereWeArehttps://t.co/bVXGJ1NibP
— Twitter (@Twitter) March 5, 2018
For resources and lists of events for International Women’s Day, see their website.
