Women who inspire me

By Robin Eisenberg

When I was growing up, there were more men who I admired and idolised in my every day life than women. I don't think I purposefully set out to do this, I guess I just wasn't as exposed to the un-apologetically bad ass women of that time, and the movies, music and games I was into was mainly dominated by guys too. Guns 'n' Roses were my favourite band, Dumb and Dumber was my favourite movie, and literally none of my female friends even owned a PlayStation so me going on and on about the story arc of Tomb Raider was lost on pretty much everyone.

In reality, I didn't really have any women in my life who I really looked up to. Growing up in a small town didn't help that, and most of the female adults that were in my life, unfortunately didn't treat me well. Neither did the girls who were my age, and it took me right up to high school to even find female friends who liked me for who I was.

It kind of makes me sad that I wasn't exposed to more awesome women who changed the world, who marched and fought for our rights, who wrote beautiful music, who won awards, wrote world renowned books, painted beautiful paintings, cured diseases and who won Nobel peace prizes. Of course there are women in the world who still do that today, and will continue to do that until the end of all humanity. And it's only been in the past few years that I've discovered women who make me feel all the feels, and who make me proud to be a woman. So, here is a list I have compiled of the ones who have inspired me endlessly, from art to literature to music to humanitarianism, and in a way that makes me want to be a better person. ✨

Lena Dunham

I'm gonna start with someone who most of you will probably be surprised to know that I love. I'm gonna be honest here, (and a little bit embarrassed) but I really didn't used to like her. (Just to clarify this was before I discovered her incredible TV series Girls which she created). A friend had recommended it to me, and I stumbled across it in the box sets section on Sky. I decided to see what the fuss was about, and  literally by the end of the week, I had watched the entire first series.  (Fan girl alert; I now own every series on DVD). After that, I read everything and anything about Lena that I could get my hands on, including her biography 'Not that kind of girl.'

I couldn't believe I had gone so long without knowing anything of her work, of her genius, wit, hilarity and beautiful kindness that she radiates as a celebrity. Her talks on feminism, rape, inequality body confidence, all whilst stamping out trolls who body shame her, and the media who talk trash about her. The best thing that I love about her, is that she is so defiant and will not change for anyone. Although she is not to everyone's liking, I absolutely adore her. Lena, keep on doing you 💖

Tracy Chevalier

Back in 2013 whilst wandering a charity shop, I stumbled across a beautiful little novel by the name of The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalier. The blurb alone intrigued me, and I took it home with me for a mere 40p. (Best 40p I ever spent). I couldn't put it down, and finished it in less than 48 hours. I cried, and held it to my chest once I'd (reluctantly) finished it, and is still to this day my favourite book of all time. 

When researching stuff about the author, I found that Chevalier was also the author of The Girl with a Pearl Earring, a fictional account on the very real and revered painting by Johannes Vermeer. A painting which I am also in love with. I got my hands on a copy of it, as well as some of her other books; The Last Runaway, Remarkable Creatures and At The Edge Of The Orchard.

As a book lover, her style of writing is perfection to me. The way she describes scenery and characters, the dialogue, the structure of her prose is captivating, and the stories she tells are unforgettable. I aspire to be as good a writer as her one day, and I would love to meet her so I can tell her how The Virgin Blue is a treasure of mine, one that I re-read every year and that I wish to re-read for the rest of my life. Honestly, without wanting to sound drippy, get your hands on a copy of her work. You won't be disappointed 📚

Lana Del Rey

I was sat on a bus heading into York city centre the night I first heard Lana. I had my headphones in, and was listening to Radio 1 whilst staring out at the snow through the window. And they played Video Games. I swear to God, I had never heard anything as beautiful as that song and her voice.  I got my hands on her album Born to Die immediately, and every album she has released since then. 

I think it's fair for me to say, that there really isn't anyone else like her. Her music is so haunting, ethereal and can take you places with her lyrics and imagery. I love that she hasn't changed her style.  I love that she has always written her own music. I love how much she loves her fans, and I hope one day I can see her in concert. Her music has helped me through some of the saddest times of my life, and she has inspired me with her very being for the past 6 years. I hope she never stops making music as long as I'm alive 💙

Robin Eisenberg

Robin Eisenberg is an artist from Los Angeles who I stumbled upon through Tumblr. I was looking for some inspiration to start another pop art painting, and came across her work. Her style was exactly what I liked, and similar to how I painted. Once I properly looked up her work, I was enamoured. Her art style is gorgeous and effortlessly cool. She has done art work for Thrasher magazine, Broadly, ASOS and even Ray Ban. There isn't much else I can say about her here, except that she's inspired so many of my paintings and drawings. If you're into her art, you can head to her website and buy pins, prints, stickers and patches of her work. All of it is a treat to the eyes 👀

https://robineisenberg.com/

Lady Gaga

Where do I even start with this goddess? I've loved Gaga from the very beginning. I was obsessed with her debut songs Just Dance and Poker Face. Let's be honest, who wasn't? I've followed her career ever since. I've bought her albums and cried over her performances. I've watched her absolutely incredible performance in American Horror Story: Hotel, and have listened to her album Joanne probably around 300 times now. There isn't anything she can't do well in my eyes. I support her, whatever she does. Not just because her work is incredible, (and is insanely talented) but she is also a wonderful and kind human being. She has her own charity named Born This Way Foundation which she co-founded with her mother Cynthia. It focuses on supporting the wellness of young people, namely the homeless and LGBT community. Not only that, but she also helped to legalise gay marriage in the state of New York. What other artist can boast that?

But of course, she doesn't boast. Ever. She is humble and graceful, and full of love for her fans. I recently watched her documentary on Netflix; Lady Gaga, Five foot two.  It follows Gaga from last year during her process of making her latest album Joanne. We get to see her at her most raw and vulnerable moments as she suffers with Fybromyalgia, whilst trying to juggle the making of her album, and preparing for her Super Bowl performance; in her words the biggest and most important time in her entire career. I won't dive too much into it here, as I want to encourage you to see it for yourself if you haven't already. Personally, I loved seeing her that way. She is always true. She's always brave. Fierce. Defiant. An artist and an inspiration to millions of people around the world. She's never changed, and never apologised for who she is and what she believes in. She is by far, the most inspirational woman I have ever looked up to, and am incredibly grateful to live in a time where she is alive and making music. I will always and forever be a Little Monster ✌

♀

This is quite a short list with regards to how many women actually inspire me on a daily basis. If I listed every single female who inspired me, this blog would be about 100,000 words long. The women in my family, the women who are my friends and have stood by me, the women who's books I read, who's music I listen to and movies I watch. Women who I can only dream of being like. I admire you all. Thank you for being you and for making me feel loved every single day. 🌸

Violet x

Honourable mentions:

My Grandmother

Melanie Martinez

Danai Gurira

Vivien Leigh
Annabel

and Rosa. Thank you for teaching me to 'go gently'. I always do now.
🌹