Music by Women for Women: Celebrating International Women’s Day 2019
This morning, like most mornings, I turned on my favorite radio station – 89.9 The Current. It’s one of three Minnesota Public Radio stations and is the first one in my pre-set stations. Tuning into Oake and Riley in the Morning has become ritualistic. And if time is tight, I least do my best to catch the daily Coffee Break, a segment where the D.J.s choose a theme and take suggestions from listeners as what to play. It just so happens that driving Addy to preschool last year coincided with this part of the morning show. Aside from the occasional random topics, most days the theme is connected to a local news story, a holiday or in true Minnesota fashion, the weather.
Today, I happened to be in the car for a bit longer than usual and noticed Jill Riley was without her partner, Bill Oake. And all the songs she was queuing up were fronted by women. The genre didn’t seem to matter as I sang along to the likes of local sensation, Lizzo, Swedish sister duo, First Aid Kit, and rock legend, Joan Jett. Cool. This is my kind of music! I’ve always had a few quirky items on my bucket list that I know I’ll never really do. Hosting a radio show highlighting all women in music is one of the quirkier ones. So instead, I sing in the shower trying my best to echo those female vocals I love so much. You know the ones: Dolly Parton, Indigo Girls, Aretha Franklin and a personal favorite, Sarah McLachlan.
“A lot of times when I play a show, I’m the only girl on the bill. We’re a minority, for sure.”
Margo Price, country singer and songwriter
Turns out, Oake’s absence was no accident. For the day, all male DJ’s were out of the studio, making way for their female counterparts as they highlight music from women. Today is International Women’s Day. Though started back in 1909, it received a static date in 1977 when the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women’s rights and world peace. The day aimed to help nations worldwide eliminate discrimination against women. It also focused on helping women gain full and equal participation in global development.
Over the years, the day has taken on different foci. In 2018, there was a call for women to wear purple. Color designations were for visual reinforcement, like black for the Emmy’s and white for Election Day 2016. I remember many of my girlfriends donning their white attire before heading to the polls. This year’s theme is “Balance for Better.” Balance assumes everyone has a part to play. International Women’s Day works to be sure that the “everyone” is represented by the female gender specifically. Gender balance is essential for economies and communities if the goal is to move from surviving to thriving. To help amplify this value-driven goal, people are invited to strike a pose and tag it on social media.
Getting this new blog launched right around a day that celebrates women and their contributions seems more than coincidence. Whether you like the word feminism or not, the latest reiteration of its influence is undeniable. It’s simplest definition states it is the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes. This is happening in exciting ways all throughout the world. From pop culture to policies, women are using their voices for change. They are working toward balance for the better.
“Honor your story and commit to your narrative.”
Peggy Flanagan, first woman Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
To celebrate Women’s Day, Minnesota’s lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan, stopped by The Current studio for a chat. She said a lot of great things but one that stood out to me was in response to a question about how women can continue to affect change. She said to honor your story and commit to your narrative. Anyone can do that. The results are authentic and full of variety. I hope this blog offers an authentic voice as I tell my story and the stories of other women through a narrative that celebrates the female voice, the voice of mothers and daughters, the voices that bring about a better balance.
As I celebrate International Women’s Day this year, I’m keeping my dial locked into 89.9. I’m celebrating my own contributions to the world. And the biggest and perhaps most important contribution I will make is raising my daughter. In years to come we’ll chat about gender-balance, feminism and why there is even a need for International Women’s Day. Today, we’re keeping it simple by singing and dancing to the sounds of women’s voices! Join us and may I make a suggestion for your soundtrack with these 16 songs.
- Let ‘Em Say by Lizzo and Caroline Smith
- The Joke by Brandi Carlile
- Pay Gap by Margo Price
- Bad Reputation by Joan Jett
- Joyful Girl by Ani DiFranco
- Caught a Lite Sneeze by Tori Amos
- This Woman’s Work by Kate Bush
- I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross
- Shake It Off by Taylor Swift (Already my daughter’s theme song!)
- Wildflowers by Dolly Parton
- My Silver Lining by First Aid Kit
- Woman by Karen O and Danger Mouse
- Closer to Fine by Indigo Girls
- Beautiful by Christina Aguilera
- Roar by Katy Perry
- That I Would Be Good by Alanis Morissette
