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Viva La Femolution!

By Jordana Rooz

Tyra Banks

In this month's Cosmo (on stands November 3), features director Caelia writes about the Femolution, and asks what feminism is now. While most of us don't burn our bras anymore, feminism - the support of women's rights - is still powerful. We look at ten girl power moments from 2008.

Hillary Clinton for President
Hillary is inspiring, intelligent and a poster woman for ‘girl power’. Even though she’s no longer in the running for President we give her ‘10’ for effort. She was brave enough to step out of her husbands’ shadow, and set her Prada in the direction of the white house. She stopped just short, but it was an amazing effort nonetheless. 

Sex and the City: The Movie
It was the ultimate chick flick weekend – when Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha, returned to our lives with a bang! We watched the roller coaster relationship of Carrie and Mr Big (John James Preston) for six seasons and finally on the big screen we saw Carrie in a wedding dress (several, in fact). Girls everywhere are now waiting with bated breath for SATC 2, with more sex, drama and fashion!

If you wannabe my lover!
You heard me … Spice Girls are back – the now hot mummies got back together for a tour late last year and early this year. Remember the days of Baby, Ginger, Sporty, Posh and Scary? They might not be Baby-ish anymore, but with costumes by Roberto Cavalli and a stop at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Parade, the Spice Girls proved they were still on top.

Julia Gillard - our first female Deputy PM!
Back to politics, on our side of the world, Kevin ’07 won the nation over and with his new team came our new Deputy PM Julia Gillard – the first female to hold the position in Australia’s history! She’s been in the game for ten years now – an amazing feat for any politician, but given that she’s a female in a very male dominated field, we reckon it's an extra-special achievement. Good work Julia! 

Female governor general
By the time it comes to elect a new Governor General – it might be time to elect a President, it’s an almighty girl power moment that a female woman got the nod for the top job. Quentin Bryce, hopes that at the end of her five year term Australia will be a republic. What a way to go!

Come on Aussie!!
We all know that Thorpe was the torpedo in the pool for many years, but at this year's Beijing Olympics it was the girls turn to shine in the pool – and they brought back gold, silver and bronze. The girls flew in the pool winning the 4 x 200m relay! Stephanie Rice, Bronte Barratt and Kylie Palmer and Linda McKenzie: we're super-proud.

Mother and daughter climbing mountains!
Mother and daughter outings usually involve comfy shoes and an overused credit card! But for this mother and daughter team comfy shoes were the order of the day, but there were no shops in sight. Cheryl and Nikki Bart climbed the highest peaks on every continent with the finishing peak being Mount Everest. Now that they are back they are looking into their next adventure – the North and South Poles! We wish them every success.

I’m not there… but Cate is
Cate Blanchett wowed audiences this year with her incredible portrayal of Bob Dylan in I'm Not There. Cate's big screen turn as the Tambourine Man was a far cry from her stylish red carpet looks. This was an awe-inspiring girl power moment – out of the six actors playing the legendary singer – there was a female to represent!  

Here come the brides!
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi showed their commitment for each other by getting married earlier this year. They were one of the many gay couples who chose to marry after the state of California passed a law allowing gay marriage. Their very public wedding announcement was made by Ellen herself on her talk show Ellen. In true Hollywood style, the couple both wed in Zac Posen attire. 

Tyra’s got curves… SO WHAT?
The Top Model host has been through many body changes, and is now in her true skin and extremely comfortable. She was extremely brave to walk out on her talk show in her one piece costume that caused a stir during her trip down-under. Following on from this she graced the cover of People in a red one piece. We love our curves too Tyra – we love you too!

PLUS: What does feminism mean in 2008? We asked Sydney readers for their say - watch the video now!

YOUR SAY: Is feminism alive? Tell us what you think!

 

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Number of Comments(89) Add Comment
Posted 05 Nov 2008 by elana
yay jordana! i was there when this was written. i'm so proud  Report thisReport this

Posted 10 Nov 2008 by Winnie
Looking at history, since the 1960s, you would think women have made it! We’re in high positions, we're in paid jobs, we’re doctors, lawyers, engineers, politians and govenor generals. There may not be that greater number of us in these positions, but we’re competent, we’re capable, we’re cool. TBC  Report thisReport this

Posted 10 Nov 2008 by Winnie
But are women in general respected in society? Does society hold women in a higher dignity and respect than before the 1960s or are we degraded? Are we made to feel imperfect about our bodies? Are our images used to sell products that have nothing to do with us? Are we objectified? Are we people to be used for another’s pleasure? Are we made to feel that only our looks matter?   Report thisReport this

Posted 10 Nov 2008 by Winnie
If true feminism is about bringing out the best qualities of women, then overall, the general status of women is becoming lower and lower.   Report thisReport this

Posted 10 Nov 2008 by nikki
While there are ditsy women who think they're somebody for prancing in skimpy bikini's or other clothing at male dominated events, who strip themselves in clubs for men and think it makes them "special", while these types of women who have no respect for themselves are subjucating themselves for mens pleasure,all women will always be objectified and treated as lower human beings by men. Parents need to teach their daughters at a young age that to be a woman is not to be a play thing for men.  Report thisReport this

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