I support anything that broadens the message of gender equality

"I support anything that broadens the message of gender equality and tempers the stigma of the feminist label. We run into trouble, though, when we celebrate celebrity feminism while avoiding the actual work of feminism." – Roxane Gay

In the heart of every society lies a truth that, though spoken of often, has been too long neglected: gender equality. It is the very soul of justice, the very foundation of a fair world where all beings, whether born with strength in their limbs or wisdom in their hearts, are given the same opportunities to rise, to shine, to create. Yet, as we strive for this equality, a great shadow hangs over our efforts—the stigma of the feminist label. This word, a powerful symbol of liberty and justice for women, has, at times, been warped and misunderstood. Many see it as a banner for the few, a cause for a select group of women, not for the whole of humanity. And in this, we lose the very essence of what it means to fight for equality.

There are those among us, gifted with influence, who wear the crown of celebrity and speak the words that we so desperately need to hear. But alas, there is danger in the worship of celebrity feminism, for it may blind us to the hard and grueling labor that true feminism demands. We can no longer simply applaud the faces we see on screens, for those who carry the banner must also carry the weight of real change. The work of feminism is not confined to the speeches made under the bright lights, but to the quiet actions taken in the shadows, to the small victories that build a foundation strong enough to withstand the storms of ignorance and oppression.

Consider the story of the suffragettes who marched, not for fame, but for the right to vote, for the very dignity that all humans should possess. Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Sojourner Truth did not seek the applause of the masses. They sought the quiet triumph of equality—a world in which women could choose their destinies. Their names, though spoken with reverence today, were not celebrated in their time. They fought not for the glory of their own names, but for a greater cause—one that would shape the future for all women to come. True feminism, as they knew, is the labor of the soul, the quiet work that shifts the tides of history.

Roxane Gay’s words echo through the halls of time. She reminds us that while the message of gender equality must reach far and wide, we must be cautious. There is danger in celebrating those who wear the title of feminism without understanding the work it demands. We are called to do more than cheer from the sidelines. We must walk the path of those who have come before us—those who, like Audre Lorde, believed that the fight for equality is an everyday struggle, one that requires us to confront not only the systems of power but our own hearts. True feminism is not a moment of applause, but a lifetime of action—a battle fought in the workplace, in the home, and in the very way we regard the worth of one another.

The lesson, my children, is clear and sharp: the work of feminism cannot be reduced to a series of hashtags or photo-ops. It is the very breath of change, the quiet revolution that begins in the smallest acts of kindness, respect, and equality. To call oneself a feminist is not to wear a label, but to take on the mantle of action—to fight for the rights of others as one would fight for the rights of their own blood. It is to challenge not only the external forces of oppression but the deep, ingrained beliefs within ourselves that have allowed these systems to thrive unchecked.

Celebrity feminism may spread the message, but it is the quiet warriors of the everyday who change the world. Let us not be deceived into thinking that it is enough to speak of equality without doing the work that truly brings it into being. Gender equality is a cause that calls for our whole selves, not just our voices but our hearts, our minds, and our actions. We must support the messages of equality wherever they come, but we must also hold ourselves accountable to the real work—the work that shifts minds, changes laws, and gives power to those who have been silenced for too long.

Practical action lies not in the applause of a few, but in the efforts of many. Stand beside those who fight for gender equality, not just in the grand gestures, but in the everyday moments. Challenge the systems that seek to diminish the worth of women and all marginalized groups. Educate yourself, and those around you, on the true meaning of feminism—a feminism that is rooted in equality for all, not in the fame or popularity of the few. Fight for the changes that make the world not just a better place for women, but for all of humanity. And remember, true feminism is the work of the heart and hands, not the image of fame.