Happy International Women’s Day — and happy Women’s History Month!
As a women-led business in the social media industry, we’re consistently inspired and empowered by the movements we see growing and changing our social landscape in the name of gender equality. To celebrate #InternationalWomensDay, the Metter Media team came together to honor some of our favorite movements that started right on social media.
#BanBossy is a movement that encourages young girls to be assertive and build confidence early on. Culturally speaking, young boys are encouraged to be assertive and leaders. When girls practice this same behavior, they are labeled “bossy” and encouraged to fall in line.
— JoAnna
HeForShe is a campaign for gender equality started by UN Women enlisting men to take action against the injustices females face. The organization challenges the notion that women’s issues affect women only and aims to prove equality can lead to better social, economic, and political environments for all.
— Kristen
#FreeKesha is a hashtag started by fans and supporters of Kesha Rose to press Sony on releasing her from her contract with music producer Dr. Luke, her alleged abuser.
— Jasmine
It’s an unfortunate reality that, at some point in a woman’s life, she will be subjected to bias, discrimination, or harassment (or all of the above) due to her gender. #YesAllWomen acknowledges the experiences that all women share as part of a society that skews expectations and attitudes based on gender.
— Sarah
Because “Who are you wearing?” is just plain tired. #AskHerMore is a call to all the Giuliana Rancic’s and Ryan Seacrest’s of the world, a cry to stop devaluating successful women’s accomplishments by asking them the name of their nail polish on the red carpet. #AskHerMore means ask that actress or songstress or #GIRLBOSS-stress about her latest emotion-bending role, her latest chart-topping album, or even how she manages raising two children while working in Hollywood full time and running a charity to give jobs to women in third world countries. These award show honorees don’t mind giving props to the amazing designer who crafted that night’s attire — but let’s give them some props for what else is going on, okay?
— Lyssa
Started by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, the Lean In movement was created to empower women in the workplace. #LeanIn strives to create a supportive environment where women can openly discuss the challenges they face at work everyday, with the ultimate goal of helping women advocate more confidently for themselves.
— Heshi
At some point, doing something — throwing, running, hitting — “like a girl” became an insult. Always’ #LikeAGirl campaign began when they asked girls pre-puberty to “run like a girl.” Unflinchingly and honestly, they ran, jumped, and punched as hard as they could. That strength and uninhibited confidence needs to continue as they grow up in a sometimes misogynistic world.
— Lauren
The Red Shoe Movement (RSM) is a leading company focused on diverse women’s career and leadership development. It’s a movement for women who are doing well and are interested in doing better.
— Angela
#BringBackOurGirls is a hashtag that emerged after the kidnapping of 274 Chibok girls in Nigeria on April 2014.
— Jasmine
What started as a documentary film addressing society’s fear of female toplessness has grown into a campaign fighting against censorship and sexual objectification. If men can be topless without fears of indecent exposure charges, why can’t women?
— Kristen
#ThisGirlCan is a campaign that celebrates active women everywhere, regardless of their shape or size. They want to put an end to shaming women for how they look as they work to get healthy and stay in shape.
— Heshi
This movement was first started by all around badass Sophia Amoruso with the launch of her memoir #GIRLBOSS, which detailed how the now-31-year-old went from dumpster diving to founding the hugely popular e-commerce and IRL retailer Nasty Gal. The term #GIRLBOSS is now used whenever referring to a female who’s doing her thang, making paper, running companies, starting movements, or just being a total boss. We here at Metter Media try to use the term on a daily basis.
— Lyssa
#NotBuyingIt started as a hashtag that is now turning app. It allow users to photograph, map and share advertisements that belittle or objectify women. It uses the power of social media to get voices heard.
— JoAnna
Working to increase the number of women on boards and transform corporate America.
— Angela
71% of all STEM jobs are in computer science. Only 8% of STEM graduates have a computer science education. And only a small percentage of that 8% are women. Movements like #ILookLikeAnEngineer, #WomenInSTEM, and #GirlsWhoCode offer a platform for women who are paving a path for other women in technology, breaking the gender divide and showing young women and girls that there is a future for them in STEM.
— Sarah
Back story: After some fraudulent videos were released about PP discussing selling fetal tissue, the government voted to cut federal funding for PP. Immediately, women everywhere took to Twitter to #StandwithPP, aka, to stand for women’s health, education, and rights — including the likes of Kerry Washington, Scarlett Johansson, Ariana Grande, and Lena Dunham. Now, with sociopaths like Ted Cruz and Donald Trump around, it’s important that we all keep this movement and the #StandwithPP conversation going.
I don’t know a single woman in my life, including myself, who hasn’t been seriously helped by Planned Parenthood. The #StandwithPP tweets that resonated the most for me were the stats at how many women the org has helped receive affordable sexual and reproductive health care over the past 100 years — more than 2.7 million, and 1 in 5 women in the U.S.
— Lauren
Metter Media LLC is a Boston-based social media management company that implements community-based, localized social engagement strategies for small businesses and corporations alike. Need help with your social media? Email Lauren today.
