Happy International Women’s Day

I want to take this day to CELEBRATE the BADASS WOMEN out there on this 2019 International Women’s Day!  What is “badass” to me?  Badass is any person (but focusing on women today) who lives life fearlessly – who grabs life by the horns all the while staying true to who she is, courageously and confidently.  Badass is using your gifts for the good of humanity.  The badass woman knows who she is, doesn’t compromise her principles and goes after her passions in life.  She is also an empowered woman.  Empowered women empower women! I can think of SO MANY famous women as well as one’s I’ve known in my life that exemplify these qualities, and I couldn’t be more grateful for their inspiration! Friends and family.  I want to shout out about a few famous ones here.

THIS just happened two days ago! Gayle King in her interview with R&B artist R. Kelly (who is facing seriously disturbing allegations of sexual abuse) asked R. (Robert) Kelly some questions that caused him to explode and rant in a scary few minutes.  As Gayle said on CBS this morning yesterday, “He was having a moment, and I just said to myself, just breathe and stay calm and maybe he will sit back down.” Wow!  Most of us would have been cowering as he cried and ranted with such rage.  It felt like he could have hit Gayle, but she stayed incredibly chill as you see her here and eventually in a calm voice just said, “Robert.”  Insert surprised, amazed emoji here!!! That’s badass calm. That’s power.

Gayle King interview with R. Kelly

Nina Simone, who I had the great pleasure to paint a very large painting of for 20th Century Fox’s show Empire’s pilot season in 2014.  She was not only an accomplished jazz singer but also an effective activist for race relations and encouraging women to proceed with life without fear. In the photo below, I couldn’t agree with her more: “I tell you what freedom is to me: no fear.” YES! Another of her famous sayings: “You have to learn to get up from the table when love is no longer being served.”  Another: “Pay attention to what makes your flame burn brighter, Attention is the beginning of everything. Attention is the beginning of what creates change.”  I would go further to say, FIND YOU PASSION AND DO YOUR THING. Find many more inspiring quotes of Nina’s here.

So TRUE!

Nina’s face

The 84″ tall x 48″ wide painting for Empire

 

I cannot talk about this day without a strong mention of my late mother-in-law Marlene Kayser!  She was not only a rockstar mother-in-law, but even more, she was an incredible grandmother to my 3 children.  That’s just our personal lives, but she worked tirelessly for women’s rights and human rights in Minnesota, nationally and internationally.  She was president of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota for many years helping to educate about family planning. She also traveled to third world countries with The Advocates for Human Rights to help set up shelters to house women seeking asylum against violence and abuse. Click on the link to learn more and to donate if you feel so compelled.

Also, my mother Grace Hunt was a badass Mom in her more quiet way!  She would not like my using the word “badass” but she knows what I mean.  She was a very dedicated mother and incredible home-maker.  She could cook like nobody’s business, could sew our clothes when my siblings and I were younger, and was such a engaged mother – always there to talk to about anything, supported us in our activities and celebrated us.  Picnics in our backyard together is one of my fondest memories along with our family time every morning before school, coffee time and visiting.  Such simple times and rich memories made together.  My mother dealt with a congenital lung condition and a form of blood cancer in her life to overcome much of it to be such a great Mom and nutritionist.  She quietly did her thing and was always there for great love and support. Later in life, found her voice via poetry and compiled some of her writings along with her biography.  It’s a great treasure for me to have.  She passed away on May 12, 2013 (Mother’s Day that year). I miss talking to her so much…

My Mom’s book, “Voice of Grace”

Oprah Winfrey, talk show host, Super Soul Sunday, OWN Network,  author of Daring Greatly and other books, TED talker Brene Brown,  former first lady Michelle Obama (loved her book “Becoming“). Also, all the single ladies out there raising children on their own and working asses off!  Big salutes to you!  I could keep going, but I want to mainly highlight these.

Just in time for this International Women’s Day,  I also want to share some of the most recent graphic t-shirts I’ve made that relate to women and empowerment.  Check these out!  They are fun and chummy and also encouraging!  These would make great gifts for the girls – daughter, nieces, friends – in your life.  These are painted by hand by me!  No fair labor issues here.  😉  All cotton, natural, organic shirts with great painted messages.  See my previous post for why I am making these shirts along with my paintings on canvas. Messages of love, empowerment, positivity!  I take your ideas, too!  Bring ’em! Custom made for YOU! Contact me for your request…

 

I hope you feel empowered on this day moving forward, to be YOU, unapologetically YOU.  To be who and what you want to be in life.  Follow your PASSION!

SHINE! Be the best teacher, the best writer, at-home Mom, artist, house cleaner, chef, lawyer, Dr., tech gal, customer service agent…. WHATEVER… DO IT WITH FIRE!  BE BADASS!

How do you define “BADASS”? What women have inspired you in your life? Let’s talk and share!  I would LOVE to hear…

Happy International Women’s Day and thank you for reading!