Feminism is no longer taboo, no longer shameful, and no longer seen as a term that only hippies use. It is a vital subject matter that needs to be discussed creatively, through mediums other than the news, which can cause serious stress. Instagram is one of these mediums, yet it can also be stressful, as it is easy to compare yourself to other women and their perfectly-curated lives. However, if it is used in the right way, it is a place of inspiration. Everyday, I am genuinely empowered from seeing these real, intelligent, and badass women's posts on Instagram.
Starting your day with a message of female strength, an artful photo featuring a daring outfit, or a two line poem on resilience can change your mood in a matter of seconds, which is why you need to follow these 10 women on Instagram. Ultra-inspiring, empowering, and motivating, these boss ladies take no sh*t.
1. Chinae Alexander
Chinae is the definition of a badass. The refreshingly honest powerhouse brings it all to the table: fashion, feminism, fitness, self-love, beauty, and inspiration.
Okay, okay, I may be biased, being that I'm Chinae's intern, but that means you should trust my opinion even more. I've known her for almost 2 years IRL, and believe me, she is 100% authentic. Inspiring on and off the screen, I am so lucky to have the opportunity to know her, work with her, and call her my friend.
Chinae told Women's Health Magazine that "women worry about how they’re viewed by other women. I wanted to be this voice that said, 'You’re safe here. You’re loved.' If I can get up everyday and have a bunch of people feel a part of something, that’s my responsibility. It’s a big compliment to receive messages from my followers saying I’m like a friend."
Alright, enough from me. Go stalk Chinae, read one of her many eloquent captions (I'm not crying, you're crying), and maybe get some outfit inspo, too.
2. Rupi Kaur
At only 26 years old, poet Rupi Kaur is changing the game. With verses on love, race, sex, and womanhood, she is undoubtedly Instagram's favorite poet. Her poems not only include beautiful illustrations but cover important subject matters, like racism and sexual abuse. She is writing digestible, relevant poems that young people love to read.
Skimming one of her two-line pieces in the morning leaves me analyzing the work all day. Kaur bravely and beautifully speaks from the perspective of a woman of color in a world where white males are seen as superior. What she is doing is vitally important, and truly badass.
3. Jera Foster-Fell
Hilarious, inspiring, and positive, Jera is everything you'd want in a friend. Sadly, we can't all be her BFF, so following her on Instagram is the next best thing.
As a previous SoulCycle instructor who had to endure a rejection from her first audition, get the job the second time around, train for ten weeks to become an official instructor, and then be told that she must complete the grueling training all over again, she displays a resilience unbeknownst to the majority of us. However, after teaching for a year and a half, she shared with her followers that she felt it was her time to move on from instructing and begin a new chapter of her life. That took major guts, especially after sharing her journey to becoming an instructor.
Now, Jera shares awesome content on loving your body, happiness, and life with her adorable dog, Thatcher (aka @spicygrandpa).
4. Jessamyn Stanley
When you hear the word 'yoga', the first image that pops up may be a petite white woman wearing a 'Namast'ay in Bed' tank top in a tree-pose, looking serene as sh*t. While those women are real somewhere over the rainbow, they are over-represented in a world that under-recognizes women of different colors, shapes, and sizes. However, badass yogi Jessamyn doesn't let that stop her from practicing yoga.
Jessamyn is an author, yoga teacher, podcast host, and award-winning Instagrammer. She primarily talks about body positivity and politics, self-care, and 'the realities of living the "yoga lifestyle" in the 21st century.' And, after following her for only a short time, I can tell she's real, honest, and not afraid to share anything and everything. My favorite Instagram caption of hers is, 'Sometimes I feel super sexy. Sometimes I feel confident and strong. Most of the time I’m picking up cat shit. #yoga #reallife'.
5. Lauren Singer
Simply put, Lauren makes the Zero Waste Movement cool. The 27 year old CEO of the Package Free Shop can fit six years' worth of non-recyclable and non-compostable trash in a 16oz mason jar. Most of us go through more than that much plastic in a single day!
Not only is she a powerhouse voice for sustainability, but an influential Instagrammer that appeals to all ages. She fueled my fire last summer to reduce my waste and help my school become more eco-friendly by reforming the cafeteria to have less plastic and more vegan food. I love her upbeat, guilt-free approach to the topic, which makes you want to participate, not unfollow and ignore the movement out of shame.
Besides my admiration for her in the zero waste sense, I also majorly admire her in the boss lady sense. She is the CEO of her own company at such a young age, and for such a worthy cause. Basically, I wanna be Lauren when I grow up. Now where's my metal straw?
6. Lyn Slater
Lyn Slater, AKA the "Accidental Icon" is definitely a badass if I've ever seen one. As a self-proclaimed cultural influencer, professor, content creator, consultant, speaker, and model, there's nothing the 64-year-old doesn't do.
She got started as a professor at Fordham University, where her students would compliment her style, and constantly were telling her that she should create a blog. Her name, The Accidental Icon, came from when photographers took photos of her at fashion week before she was a celebrity, just because of her amazing outfit. Upon seeing this, her friend commented that she was an 'accidental icon,' and thus the blog's name was born. She rapidly gained followers, and says that her approach is and always will be 'in the moment'.
To me, the most amazing thing about Lyn and her blog is how she unapologetically embraces her age. She has said that she is not twenty, and she's not trying to be twenty, which is what makes her so appealing. Lyn shows women that you can be beautiful, stylish, and daring, regardless of age.
A real badass, and a real icon. Lyn, you're welcome to adopt and/or style me.
7. Amandla Stenberg
You may know her originally as Rue from The Hunger Games, but Amandla Stenberg has blown up in every way imaginable since then. With intellectually stimulating political stances, along with an impressive acting resumé, she is a force to be reckoned with.
At only 19 years old, Amandla is a voice for the future, openly sharing her thoughts on being part of the LGBTQ community, gender fluidity, and the appropriation of black culture, specifically by non-black stars. Stenberg released a YouTube video called Don't Cash Crop My Cornrows, which has acquired 2.3 million views and counting. She ends the video by saying, "What would America be like if we loved black people as much as we love black culture?" The video, and closing sentiments, were powerful, eloquent, and strong.
It is young stars like her that are paving the path for women to feel empowered in their stances and opinions rather than staying quiet to please others. Her Instagram posts are not only political, but thought-provoking, artful, and worthy of our follow.
8. Lee Tilghman
Lee Tilghman is a healthy-living, hormone-balancing, plant-loving badass. She shares everything from what she eats, to daily dances, to what cycle of her period she's on, to her everyday struggles. It's safe to say that Lee is, in my opinion, the current voice of real and honest wellness. Not perfectly posed candids or precise salad angles, but legit advice and truth. For example, Lee consistently shares photos of her stomach when she's bloated. I don't know about her other followers, but it can definitely make me feel less alone in the struggles influencers usually do not admit that they have. It's refreshing, to say the least.
I appreciate how Lee talks openly about her period, and how she keeps it waste free. I also love Lee's imperfect approach to wellness. Many pretend as though they have it down pat, and I love knowing that somebody out there eats a croissant once in a while.
I look forward to Lee's posts, and definitely have a laugh at her "spill of the day". It's relatable, and relatable is the new perfect. My favorite quote from Lee is, "Wellness, at least to me, is about realizing that you hold the power of your health in your own hands, much more than you thought. It’s extremely empowering when you think about it."
9. Ashley Bouder
Ashley Bouder is not any NYCB ballerina, but a feminist and a #ballerinamom, as she calls it. Ashley candidly showcases the balance between mom life, ballet life, and feminist life. She is politically active, and posts about a strong woman she admires every Wednesday, which I personally love to see and read about, as the information she provides is important and thorough.
Many ballerinas do not share opinions as strongly or openly as Ashley. A theme in this article, and in women I admire in general, is that they have a daringness to them. They share their stances unapologetically, even (and especially) if they're a public figure.
Follow Ashley to read empowering feminist messages, see beautiful ballet photos, and admire her adorable family.
10. Yara Shahidi
An actor on Blackish, the star of Grownish, and a political activist, Yara Shahidi is the powerful founder of "Yara's Club," an organization in conjunction with the Young Women's Leadership Network. Its purpose is to help students in low-income communities have better access to education.
She is one of the most influential young celebrities at the forefront of important issues, and is clearly using social media to do some good in the world. It is vital for celebrities with influence, especially influence on teens and millennials, to use their prestige in order to make the world a better place, which is exactly what Yara's Instagram is all about.
Give her a follow to be inspired, excited, and motivated to help the world while remaining educated on important current events... and to see some really cool fashion, too.
Whether or not you choose to follow these badass women on Instagram, I hope you gained a little knowledge on who they are and what awesome things they're doing for the world. It is so empowering to have role models a touch of an app away. I hope you feel empowered, too.