Five women I am in awe of.

As a teenager who has been brought up on the internet, I've been surrounded by millions of voices trying to be heard and some of them have rubbed off on me. I'm at that radical phase in my life where I have something to say about anything and want to know everything and I don't think that will change. As two years ago I was introduced to the idea of Marxism, I have been plunged into the world of Feminism this year (in particular campaigns such as No More Page 3). With my growing love of women's rights, I have found myself becoming more and more influenced by the actions of women and their stories. Although I have a very long list of women who I find absolutely amazing this is my top 5:

Lauren Mayberry

Lauren Mayberry - The Chvrches singer is like me, a Glaswegian. Not only is she an amazing musician and "Mother We Share" never fails to send shivers down my spine but she is an amazing example of women fighting misogyny within social media. In September 2013 Mayberry wrote a feature for the Guardian on how she is treated on social networking sights. Along with the article she released a photo on the bands Facebook page of an example of what she is sent on a regular basis. She is showing the world that just because a woman is "cute" looking doesn't mean that anyone has the write to request "superior love".

Piper Kerman

Piper Kerman - Have you seen 'Orange Is The New Black'? No? Silly. The Netflix original is set in a  women's minimum security prison in New York state and follows the life of Piper Chapman, a middle class blonde after she is convicted of drug trafficking she did for her then girlfriend, Alex, after she is grassed up by said girlfriend who is also in the prison at the same time. The series is based on the true story of Piper Kerman who wrote about her experiences in her memoir of the same name. The story has been incredibly successful and has been highly praised for its inclusion of various women's issues such as: sex, transgender women, religion as well as others. Along with Jenji Kohan (the producer and creator of the show, also a woman), Kerman has been able to create a genuine feeling portrayal of what women go through when they are in prison with the message that we could all end up in prison some of us just choose the quicker route. The second season is due out on June 6th and they have recently got the go ahead for season 3.

Karen Gillan

Karen Gillan - Again, she is a fellow Scot, but oh my God... she is awesome. Never has there been a Doctor's companion as feisty and scary as Amelia Pond. I loved Amy, when she died - I cried like she was my best friend and maybe that makes me a sad little Whovian but I did and that is it. Last year she shaved her head for a role and kept it, only now is she beginning to let it grow back. She has been able to join the long list of Doctor Who companions and not become sexualised and keep her identity outside of it. Although I think there is a lot of Karen in Amy, Karen Gillan has been able to walk away from Doctor Who, like many before her, but then go on to much bigger things.

Laura Marling

Laura Marling - At the tender age of 24, Laura Marling already has four albums to her name (all of which have been nominated for the Mercury Prize) as well as a fifth on the way. As someone who loves sombre lyrics and beautiful guitar playing, Marling is like a Goddess to me. She writes what should be in poetry books and plays like it is the last time she'll ever do so. When I listen to Laura Marling, I get lost for hours at a time. As sombre in tone as her music is, it never fails to make me smile as it is so easy to relate to. She was heartbroken by Marcus Mumford and carried on making more and more beauty every time she plays. One of my favourite things to do of a warm evening is to just stare into the distance and reflect on "the life that I have led" and who I am and really clear my head. She is one of the finest treasures of modern music. 

Laurie Penny

Laurie Penny - If you're aware of female politics you probably know her very well and either love her or hate her. Penny is a journalist and editor of the New Statesman as well as being an avid socialist and feminist. In my exploration into feminism Penny is the person who stands out to me the most because she stands for so much of what I believe in. She is constantly hounded by trolls who terrorise her for her appearance and views yet she comes across as unphased. Having being hospitalised with anorexia in her teenage years as well as being a victim of rape and sexual abuse through out her career as a journalist, I find it truely amazing that she is still the powerful figure she is. Here is a video of her discussing feminism at Oxford University (also take note of the misogyny in the comments "because she is a woman"):

Of course, there are so many more amazing women who I could have written about and maybe this time next week it will be different. Over the past year I have realised that women are amazing and that we live in a society where misogyny is accepted - which needs to change. These women have liberated me in such ways that I am looking forward to womanhood and fighting for the rights of women across the world because it is what we deserve.

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