2013, what a year, what a year. 

This year seemed different from many of the past. It's hard for me to believe that women are still in this century experiencing so many "firsts." When I think about my mother's experiences, or those of my grandmother, I can't help but laugh at how un-radical my own experiences will seem to future generations, how unprogressive, and standstill-ish we'll appear to the next wave, how much they will accomplish and hopefully how much we will accomplish by the time they come around.

Yet, 2013 was a year of many firsts, of big changes, of persons standing up for the rights of women (one in particular stood for over 11 hours…). In a year that flew by, there was a feminist hero at every corner, and a moment of empowering awe at every turn. So here are some of them:

13. Robin Thicke sung a song that was a little rape-y with a video to match. While most American's helped push the song "Blurred Lines" to the top of the charts, these women gave him a response that shows just how jaded we've become to the objectification of women. Their own video shows the awkwardly imposed sexuality of Thicke's video for all it's worth.



*warning… it's just as explicit as the original version….*

At first glance the video is humorous, it's funny and weird - watch again only to realize it's funny to us because it seems so out of place, so ridiculous that men would be dancing around in next-to-nothing to women singing about objection and sexuality… now, reverse it, and welcome to all that is our cultural reality. Cheers, Ladies! #EveryBiggotShutUp

12. Queen Bey declared herself a "modern day feminist," in a world where icons, pop stars, and even politicians are still afraid to use the word "feminism" the one and only Beyonce gave at it, loudly and proudly. Beyonce's opinion and voice echoes in every direction to persons around the world. It's nice to have the Queen on your side, especially when she says things like: "I do believe in equality. Why do you have to choose what type of woman you are? Why do you have to label yourself anything? I'm just a woman and I love being a woman."



11. Facebook learned that if a joke is funny more people should be laughing, and that rape jokes aren't funny. One of the world's largest social media websites took a hit from users and consumers after #FBrape made its way to business that were paying to advertise on Facebook. The social media site had previously defended images and "fan pages" that promoted rape as a type of humor saying: "it is very important to point out that what one person finds offensive another can find entertaining, just as telling a rude joke won't get you thrown out of your local pub, it won't get you thrown off Facebook." The user-generated fight back pushed Facebook to change their policy, and all that pushing paid off.


10. Gloria Steinem is awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. Steinem was recognized for her decades-long commitment and dedication to the entire women's movement and social justice. Steinem testified on behalf of the Equal Rights Amendment, is the co-foudner of Ms Magazine, and is perhaps the most iconic feminist of the age. Steinem said she'd "Be crazy if [she] didn't understand that this was a medal for the entire women's movement."



9. Women aren't just funny… they are hilarious. This year Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will be hosting the golden globes for the second time. After being booked before the end of last year's show, these two SNL alumnae showed us all that women aren't just funny, they are laugh-so-hard-you-cry-afraid-you'll-pee-your-pants hilarious. I have a hard time understanding that in 2013 women are still afraid to be funny, that women are still projected as not being funny. This year we saw women who cracked us up, and kept the humor going and going and going… #YoureNotBetterThanMe



This was all particularly welcome after what The New Yorker called "the hostile, ugly, and sexist night" also known as that one time Seth McFarland hosted the Oscars… whoops!

8. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Rep Jackie Speier (D-CA) fought to change the way our warriors are treated away and at home. Together these women are pushing the bill forward that would change the way that sexual assault victims are treated within the United States military, taking cases out of the chain of command and turning them instead to a third-party team made up of officers and civilians appointed to review cases. This ensures that victims are given the support they need and offenders are given the punishment they deserve.




7. Body Talk hit the red carpet as some of our favorite celebrities stepped up and out to protest the body-shaming culture of mass media and consumer culture. Jennifer Lawrence gave young girls a role model to look up to and wasn't afraid to tell media that she not only gets hungry, and eats, but loves to eat, and does it daily - no diets, no shame. Ellen Degeneres said "Fitch, please" in a response to Abercrombie's projection that women bigger than a size ten can't be cool.





6. Indian women won't take it anymore, and the "it" are statements like those from the head of India's Central Bureau of Investigation in which he compared rape to unlicensed betting, and that "because it cannot be prevented, should be enjoyed."When an hours-long gang rape on a bus in India resulted in the death of a young woman late last December, it served as the last straw from men and women across the country calling for stronger governmental responses to violence against women and for the attitude against sex crimes to change.





5. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) told elected officials what's what, and that the 16-day shut down was an act of political terrorism. She reminded us all how a democracy works and stood firm in the face of opposition bullying.



4. Pussy Riot takes rock n' roll to new places… including a secluded prison colony in Siberia. The feminist political punk group was founded in 2011, but found their voice was heard around the world when in February of last year five of the group's member performed in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savoir. Member, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova was one of two members of the activist group to be released from prison. In just the four days since her release, Tolokonnikova has been vocal about her release as a pre-Olympic PR move, and called for a boycott of the Olympics in Sochi, Russia for the government's stance on women and the LGBT community.




3. DOMA had its butt kicked by an 84 year old… Edie Windsor had never imaged she'd be the one to take on the Supreme Court, but that's exactly what she did. In June of this year, the Supreme Court ruled that section three of the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional. Edie Windosr was with her late wife, Thea Spyer, for what was just short of 50 years, and were finally married in Canada in 2007. After the death of Thea, Windsor was hit with an estate tax well over $300,000 - that, had she been in a heterosexual marriage she would not have been compelled to pay. This was the spark that lit the flame: United States v. Windsor, cited DOMA for violated the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution.

2. Malala Yousafzai looked death in face and then humbled the world. At just 16 years old, Malala has given a battle cry to the fight to educate women and young girls, and it is a cry that has been heard around the world. This summer Malala, the youngest person ever to be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, spoke at the United Nations, on what was declared to be "Malala Day" saying: "One child, one teach, one pen and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education First."

Here, Malala stuns Jon Stewart into a humble silence.



After she took on the UN, she confronted President Obama about the United States' use of drones… #GetIt #GirlUp

1. Wendy Davis stood up for women, literally, and did it for 11-hours. Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth) became a feminist icon, all while wearing pink sneakers, back in June when we stood in front of the Texas Senate to block Senate Bill 5 which would impose limitations of women's access to health care and put thousands of Texas women at risk. Davis, along with thousands, created a "filibuster of the people." Although the bill was signed in a special session over the summer, Davis is now running for Texas' Governor, and has promised to reverse the damage as soon as she sets foot in office.

Her running mate? Leticia R. Van de Putte…. if they win, this will mark the first time Texas has two leading ladies.



I was to add just one more moment, just for good measure: 
This year, I started this little pink page as a way to express my opinions, to challenge myself to be more verbal, to talk about the things, and people, and places that are important to me. I've learned a lot about my own voice, and the power of putting my opinions out there. I am thankful for all of the support I've had in getting started and look forward to another year of fabulous feminism! Thanks for being a part of my biggest feminist moment of 2013!!

Happy New Year!