FEATURE:
Rediscovering America
IN THIS PHOTO: America Ferrera/IMAGE CREDIT: BBC
A Modern Icon, the BBC 100 Women 2023 List, And a Need for a Music Equivalent
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I may have covered this…
IN THIS PHOTO: America Ferrera alongside BBC Radio 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne on 8th December, 2023/PHOTO CREDIT: BBC
in other features. In terms of recognising the important women in music. There are occasions and ceremonies where influential women are celebrated and recognised. One of music’s most influential and successful women, Taylor Swift, was recently named TIME’s Person of the Year. There are annual events like Music Week’s Women in Music Awards. Some might say, when these exist, then why add another?! It is the same reason as to why award ceremonies like the BRITs have expanded categories so that women are included. The same reason as to why festivals need to act and not be stubbornly male-heavy. It is because the talent is out there and there are some incredible women not being heard and recognised. We are still in a time when there is an immense amount of incredible work by women in music that is either not acknowledged or is not highlighted as much as their male peers. It is really baffling that those in power in the music industry are not really tackling imbalances and discrimination they have created. An apathy or ignorance, progress is pretty slow! There are glimmers of hope, though. We all hope that 2024 is a year where genuine change is seen and felt across all corners of the industry.
IN THIS PHOTO: Taylor Swift/PHOTO CREDIT: Inez and Vinoodh for TIME
This thought of mine regarding women being recognised in music was reignited and repurposed after hearing America Ferrera speak on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour today (8th December). It was a fascinating discussion: “America Ferrera is an award-winning actress, a director, producer and activist. She shot to stardom with her roles in Ugly Betty and The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, but you'll most recently have seen her playing Gloria, an assistant to the chief executive of Mattel, in the blockbuster Barbie film, who delivers a powerful monologue on the double standards of being a woman. America joins Anita to talk about how she didn't "set out to be a role model, or to break barriers, or to have a career about defying the norm”. Also today, America Ferrera spoke with Lauren Laverne on her BBC Radio 6 Music show. Not only was Ferrera speaking about Barbie and her role in it. She also reacted to be included in the BBC 100 Women 2023 list. A hundred influential and inspiring women from around the world.
When it came to Entertainment & Sport, America Ferrera was top of the list. T.V. presenter Georgia Harrison was also in the list. In Culture & Education, great women like U.S. student and social entrepreneur, Sophia Kianni, were included. There was not really any musical representation across the one hundred names. That is fine. Culture was covered. Politics, art, society, science, health and beyond. It is important that women across all corners of society are named and highlighted. It is an amazing and important feature that I would urge people to look at in full. America Ferrera’s inclusion particularly caught my eye, as Barbie is my favourite film of the year. Her role as Gloria was amazing. I was not quite aware of all the activism and important work she has done outside of acting. Such an inspiring human who is using her platform to help improve the lives of Latinas. To see more representation for women on the screen and throughout her industry. Very commendable. To be fair, Barbie colleagues like Margot Robbie could also have been included. Maybe there would be different if there was a music-based equivalent of BBC 100 Women 2023. Their names are women who are changing society and making a big difference. Not necessarily relating to their field/profession. I guess a music version would include some of that, though it would be amazing to recognise women right across the industry rising and established who are making change and inspirational.
IN THIS PHOTO: Sophia Kianni
Taylor Swift seems like an obvious inclusion. Producers like Catherine Marks. Broadcasters, D.J.s, those at labels and venues. Journalists and writers. Rather than having categories and prizes, this is the same as the BBC does. It could be broken down into sections, though there would not be this element of shortlists and narrowing down you get with awards. Instead, it would be a hundred names that could partner with programmes like Woman’s Hour and music publications and websites. Rather than a trophy or prize being given out, instead, it would be this feature online. Maybe links to websites and their work. Next year is one, I hope, that there is greater gender balancer and equality right throughout music. There are so many influential and important women in the industry that are affecting change. From massive artists to journalists and those we may not often see; it is important to show the wealth and depth of female talent throughout the industry. It is not only something that is overdue and would be welcomed. I hope that it also helps speed up progress and recognition through the music industry. Inspired by the BBC’s hundred women who are changing the world, there are so many phenomenal women throughout music – of all ages and nationalities – who should be combined. With the BBC naming one hundred influential women across so many sectors and walks of life, it made me think more widely about changes and impact women are making in so many different and important ways. It is something that the music industry should adopt, celebrate and incorporate. We all know of worthy women who could and should be…
AMONG the one hundred.