Happy International Women’s Day to all!
In the wake of movements such as ‘Me Too’, recent years have led to advancements in gender equality, although the fight is far from over. The gender pay gap is still far from closed, there is still a lack of women in positions of power and sexual harassment still occurs on a daily basis.
This is why coming together to celebrate women is more important than ever. And not just celebrating women, but celebrating the empowerment of women. The fight must continue until we have achieved gender equality. True gender equality.
International Women’s Day is a great time to come together and celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first International Women’s Day gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively across the world.
To honour this important day, we spoke to some of our favourite women doing amazing things to get their thoughts on womanhood and what it means to be a woman in 2020.
Annabelle Williams | Gold-winning Paralympic Swimmer
When I look at my 18-month-old daughter, Josie, I want to instil in her the language of equality, absolutely, but more than that – the language of power. I hope she is inspired and motivated by her grandmother and great-grandmother – both wonderful role models – and I hope she grows up believing her rights are truly equal to her male counterparts. I hope she lives in a society that agrees, wholeheartedly!
Favourite Boody style: I love all Boody products, but if I had to pick a favourite it would be the Crew Neck T-Shirt. So incredibly soft and comfy!
Follow Annabelle on Instagram. Read our interview with Annabelle.
Emmy Samtani | Founder of Parenting App, Kiindred
Being a woman, a mother and business owner, I have never felt more empowered going into this new decade. We are surrounded by fearless women and leaders (I'm looking at you, Jacinda Ardern!) and this gives me hope for our future. My daughter was playing the other day and announced her toy was a female pilot. I corrected her, no – she is just a pilot. Because both men and women can be anything.
Whilst we still have a while to go, I am excited to know the direct impact we can have on how our littles ones look at themselves. I hope that by showing my girls that their mama is a tech founder and businesswoman outside of those cuddles, I am proving that all of this is possible.
Favourite Boody style: I am slightly addicted to wearing my Cami Bodysuit under almost everything! Since having babies, I like the comfort of having something underneath – plus, it helps smooth any lumps and bumps!
Follow Kiindred on Instagram. Check out the Kiindred app in the App Store: the mobile app new parents will love.
Dara Hayes | DJ Tigerlily
I am a woman. I am strong, yet soft and sensual. I stand on the shoulders of the incredible women who came before me, and am a pioneer of change for those who tread behind. I trust my gut, and follow my intuition, for a woman always knows. I have slowly come to realise that my body is perfect. It doesn’t matter just how thick or how thin I am, for my body is my vessel, and I trust it to carry me through my days.
I speak up for my right to have an opinion, and I stand for the women whose views are different from my own. I show up each day to prove my skills and talents are just as worthy. I am a performer, though yes, I am a woman. I question what I’ve been told makes me beautiful. I question what I have been told are my limits. I have stopped trying to change myself to fit into that criteria of what a woman should be. Instead, I embrace myself for who I am. I am a woman.
Favourite Boody style: I love my Boody Nightdress. It's super comfy and the fact that it's made from organically-grown bamboo makes it extra soft and breathable.
Follow DJ Tigerlily on Instagram.
Nina Gbor | Ethical Fashion Speaker & Eco Stylist
Being a woman in 2020 is almost in itself a political statement. If you’re a woman in this era, it’s likely you may have experienced inequality, pay gaps or other injustices. And in this regard, hold the realisation that our systems urgently need to change for the sake of humankind, the environment and future generations.
Women make up half the world’s population and an epic portion of the global workforce and GDP. With innate intuitive abilities, the real power and high mission of women is to be the driving force behind a reimagined, harmonious world. We’re at the dawn of an era of positive changes and many women are at the frontlines, leading this new epoch.
Favourite Boody style: My favourite Boody product is the Everyday Slip. Really soft, super comfortable and perfect for wearing in multiple seasons.
Erika Lamour | Infant Sleep Specialist & Founder of The Sleep Dept.
Becoming a mother while trying to find that elusive balance of managing a home and a successful business has reinforced how dynamic we are as women. Having been raised by a strong single mother who worked three jobs to support us (without ever complaining!) has shown me that nothing comes easy and that we have to be the change we want to see. The only way we can predict the future is by creating it.
In our household, we are raising our son to work hard, to be kind AND we are breaking down those typical gender roles that were reserved for women. Seeing Mum AND Dad as equals. What our children see, they do and the change starts in our homes.
Favourite Boody style: My son can’t get enough of the long sleeve onesies that he wears to bed and now we’ve used the Baby Muslin Washcloths, there’s no going back to ever using anything else – hands down, the BEST!
Follow The Sleep Dept. on Instagram. Read our interview with Erika Lamour.
Molly Harris | Ethical/Eco Blogger & Founder of MFARAI
As a cultural concept, I find it really tricky to put my finger on exactly what womanhood really feels like to me. What I know is that it’s 2020 and I am a woman. When I turn towards the women before me, I learn that "One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman" (Simone de Beauvoir). For me, being a woman is this feeling of becoming – a feeling of freedom of choice.
Importantly, for me, womanhood is unifying. It means another opportunity to fight for the rights and the freedoms of those like me, that I am so lucky to have in 2020.
Favourite Boody style: I love Boody's briefs in the new Light Grey Marl because all of Boody's undies are just so comfy and they keep their quality! I'm a high-waisted kind of gal so I feel like my true self when I'm lounging in the Full Briefs.
Follow Molly on Instagram. Read our interview with Molly Harris.
Ana Covarrubias | Fashion Designer, Stylist & Founder of Second Runway
Womanhood is much more than the state of being a woman. I believe womanhood is a constant growth of values, love, and dreams. It’s a commitment to social action. As we grow, we shape our personality and we act as a moral compass to our families and friends, and nowadays we can even have an impact on people from the other side of the world.
Standing up for others and for what is right is beautiful and powerful. Womanhood creates and drives social change. It’s the soul to our families, communities, and societies. It is simply empowering others no matter their sex, race or social condition.
Favourite Boody style: I love the Hipster Bikini. It’s the comfiest pair of undies I have ever worn.
Nadine Richardson | Doula & Founder of She Births®️
Being a woman in 2020 is a great privilege. On the back of so many extraordinary social movements, we now have an opportunity to emerge in a new way. It is time for us all to awaken, rise up and shine fully. Here in one of the lucky countries, Australia, us women have an abundance of resources, knowledge, wisdom and power at our fingertips to make a difference far and wide.
Over the last 20 years, I have been continually reminded that birth is one of the most transformational and intense times in our lives. I have also realised that everyone can benefit from a high quality, comprehensive, holistic, evidence-based and empowering education. I look forward to helping the whole world believe in better birth experiences.
Favourite Boody style: I love to lounge around the house and walk the dogs around the block in my Full Leggings. They’re just so comfy!
Follow She Births®️ on Instagram. Read our interview with Nadine Richardson.
Melissa Ambrosini | Bestselling Author & Host of the Melissa Ambrosini Show
I remember being a teenager (and even in my early twenties) and feeling so excited to be a woman. I was proud and honoured to step into womanhood. Women are strong and powerful. Women are the givers of life and I wanted to own that power. I almost couldn't wait to grow up so I could say I was a woman. I love being a woman and love embracing and embodying all the archetypes that she possesses.
Favourite Boody style: I can’t pick a favourite Boody style because I love them all! The material is so beautiful and feels amazing on my skin. I’m all about comfort when it comes to clothing, so it’s all about Boody tops and leggings as they’re super-comfy.
Follow Melissa on Instagram. Read our interview with Melissa Ambrosini.
Alex Cuthill | Lifestyle Blogger
Womanhood to me is feeling empowered as a woman, having my own voice, being accountable for my actions in my work life, personal life and having a relationship with myself for my well-being. This also results in the happiness, love and support that I can extend to others, my family and my friends.
It’s also about working hard in what I do daily, being positive and empowering other women to be positive and know they can fulfil their dreams and desires. We can support each other and come together to make a difference, create awareness, make a change and be the change.
Favourite Boody style: It has to be the Active 5” Shorts and Racerback Sports Bra. I want to move and flow through the day in something wearable, sustainable, and comfortable. Boody isn’t just for lounging at home but mixing it into my everyday wardrobe, movement and the gym.
Follow Alex on Instagram. Read our interview with Alex.
Karen Azizi | Lead Product Designer at Boody
Being a woman for me is truly a blessing. I believe as women our lives are rich in so many ways. Through friendships, families, political beliefs and careers, we’re able to make our mark on the world. As women we need to shine from within and love who we are, not who we think we should be or who we are told to be.
I teach my children that we are all equal and as individuals we have the ability to change stereotypes and love ourselves for who we are and what we stand for, even if it is different to those around us.
Favourite Boody style: It has to be the Cami Top. Perfect for layering or just on its own, the Cami Top is so soft and comfortable to wear anytime!
