HERSTORY: KATHLEEN HANNA

When most people think of feminist icons, I feel like the first women to come up in conversation are the foremothers who carved our feminine paths for basic human rights, but the women of the modern world who are still fighting to maintain these rights are often overlooked. Kathleen Hanna is my favorite example of such a woman, mainly because she inspired me and piqued my interest in feminism as a teen in the 90s who was really into Bikini Kill and exercising my newfound individuality.



In order to feel like I was a strong person, I kind of based myself in opposition to what I perceived as being Second Wave feminism, which was really ignorant, and based on all of the stereotypes. Like that they have hairy legs and they are anti-sex and so on. And I was like, "I'm a SEXY feminist, and I'm going to wear makeup and blah blah blah." Then, when I actually started delving into the history, I realized that I was playing into stereotypes. --KH



You don't want to start setting up another rule book, like: "This is how you're a feminist. And this is the way you dress. And this is the way you act. And this is the way you protest." It's like, some people protest carrying signs. Some people protest by making activist radical music. Sometimes people try to just make it through a day and not kill themselves, and that's their activism for right then, because that's all they have.
--KH



I know when I first started, I said things like, "It's really great to be beautiful and powerful and sexy," and I take a little bit of that back now. What I was saying was that you don't have look a certain way or have a certain hairstyle to be a feminist; that just because a girl wears lipstick that doesn't mean she's not a feminist. But now I realize that I wasn't really challenging the standard of beauty. A friend said to me, "Why is it so subversive to be beautiful in the traditional sense? I think it's much more subversive to create your own. --KH

This is the second in a series of posts highlighting my favorite feminists during Women's History Month. 
The rest of the posts may be found here.

MAGPIE

I've become a bit of a magpie these days, collecting shiny things, foraging for food and just kind of flying about my surroundings, getting ready for some changes that will inevitably come with Spring. The first day of the new season is a week from today! Spring is always such a challenging yet carefree season for me, but really that's just life and me feeling a little more excited over it all.

VINTAGE GALORE

First things first, lots of new pieces were added to the Mousevox shop last night & today. So many pretty dresses, jackets, sweaters & skirts are up for grabs. All listings have low starting bids and 'buy it now' options for those of you who don't prefer auctions.



Next up, I'm in the mood to purge! A Spring cleaning CLEARANCE SALE is happening in the shop. All fixed price listings are 50% OFF through March 19th. See something you like, but the price isn't just right? Make me an offer!



Last & most exciting, a Golden Collective sale is happening this coming Sunday, March 18th. I'll be there, alongside Ashley, Isla, Jen & Annalise, peddling my wares and sipping champagne. I believe we're going to have a special guest vendor this weekend, too! These monthly soirees are always great fun, so please do stop by if you're in the Bay Area.

INSTAMONTH

The past month has been a whirlwind of pop up shops, city explorations, fantastic friends and my first camping trip in California. Today, I felt my first earthquake! Too bad I couldn't Instagram that - Wow!

HERSTORY: ANGELA DAVIS

In honor of this month being Women's History Month, I have decided to run a weekly series on the blog for March, spotlighting the strong & courageous women of this world who have carved a path toward creating a better world for the feminine.



I'd like to start with Angela Davis, as she recently gave a talk at UC Berkeley that a few of my readers may have had the good fortune in attending. I, unfortunately, missed it, but was lucky enough to have some notes on her discussion read to me over coffee. While she's fresh on my mind, I find this a good time to pay homage to this strong & beautiful woman.



Angela Davis sees the importance of exploring women's rights from a global perspective because she sees both the value in learning from the experiences of other countries as well as the potential for individuals to work together to aid oppressed women internationally. Davis' participation in international conventions that address women's emancipation shows her desire to spread her message of liberation throughout the world. Davis participated in the activist organization Women for Racial and Economic Equality (WREE), which presented a document entitled 'The Effects of Racism and Militarization on Women' to the United Nations. She notes that among the major issues that need to be addressed by women internationally are the need for the economic independence of women, the guarantee of equal pay to their male counterparts, as well as the improvement of the quality of life for all women in the areas of health care, education, housing, and protection against police brutality. She notes the need for women to form a united, multiracial, antimonopoly women's movement in order to aid oppressed women throughout the world.

(Source: Women, Culture, and Politics, p. 115)



Birth control, individual choice and safe contraceptive methods are a fundamental prerequisite for the emancipation of women.

(Source: Women Race and Class, p. 202)



Rape bears a direct relationship to all of the existing power structures in a given society. This relationship is not a simple, mechanical one, but rather involves complex structures reflecting the interconnectedness of the race, gender, and class oppression that characterize the society.

(Source: Women, Culture and Politics, p.47)



While we have recognized the bonds linking us to Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Latin America as having been wrought by our respective racial and cultural heritages, we must be equally cognizant of the fact that these ties have been enormously strengthened by our common pursuit of dignity and freedom.

(Source: Women, Culture, and Politics, p.186)



I think the importance of doing activist work is precisely because it allows you to give back and to consider yourself not as a single individual who may have achieved whatever but to be a part of an ongoing historical movement. - Angela Davis

SHOP UPDATE

The Mousevox Shop was updated last night with a round of some of my personal favorite vintage pieces in my collection! Lots of cute dresses, jackets, sweaters & skirts for the upcoming Spring season are up for grabs. Over 100 pieces are currently listed & all items have the 'buy it now' option for those of you who aren't into auctions. Several pieces have already sold, so act fast if you see something & fall in love with it!

{CLICK TO SHOP MOUSEVOX VINTAGE}

INSPIRED BY: GALAXY PRINTS

SOURCE: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10