How to be a Feminine Feminist

How to be a Feminine Feminist

Editor: I love it.

By Cate Rees-Hessel

I have always been both a girly girl and staunch feminist – a true Elle Woods, from Legally Blonde fame. Below are a few ways to embrace your inner princess without sacrificing your feminist being:

1. Wear something pearl everyday for Kamala, the woman who should be President.
2. Read anything written by Gloria Steinem while getting a pedicure.
3. Suggest a showing of “Legally Blonde” at your local library (next year is the 25th anniversary…).
4. Invite friends over to watch the “Barbie” movie and everybody wear pink.
5. Show your Ken some affection and I don’t mean the doll.
6. Run for office wearing pretty dresses and, if you can walk in them, a pair of Prada pumps.
7. Always look your best – when you feel confident you are taken seriously.
8. Remain well groomed at all times.
9. Encourage other ladies – call each other beautiful, sexy, and sisters.
10. Know beauty comes from within.
11. Recognize beauty comes in all shapes, colors, sizes, ages, and ethnicities.
12. Don’t go after someone else’s significant other – if you can’t keep a love interest, ask yourself why.
13. A blush and quiet giggle are okay if followed by an intelligent wisecrack.
14. Never belch or pass gas in public – you don’t have to be rude to sit at the boys table.
15. Turn the boys table into the women’s table with your intelligence and wit.
16. If the guys don’t give you a seat at the table, follow the wisdom of the immortal Shirley Chisolm and bring a folding chair (mine is pink).
17. Nail biters most often don’t win – keep them groomed.
18. Take a bubble bath while reading law journals.
19. Remember Adam and Eve both disobeyed God, not just Eve. As a favorite comic of mine would say, “Where’s the dude?”
20. Channel Geraldine Ferraro.
21. Watch “Clueless” in celebration of its 30th anniversary – “as if” Trump actually won the election. “My bad” NOT, because I didn’t vote for “The Donald” – I proudly voted Harris-Walz.
22. Volunteer for a female candidate’s campaign, as long as they’re not a Trump supporter.
23. Host a tea for a feminist organization, serving cucumber cream cheese sandwiches and lemon scones on floral china.
24. Never let them see you sweat – hide your tears from those that mean you harm.
25. Watch a WNBA game.
26. Join NOW and campaign for girls and women in sports – go to bat for them.
27. Be a Ms. even if you’re a Miss or a Mrs.
28. Stand up for yourself and other women – it’s all about internal sisterhood.
29. God gave us emotions – they are normal. Don’t be afraid to show them, but don’t let anyone use them against you.
30. Buy some bad ass lipstick and earrings.
31. Accessorize and put your pretty game face on.
32. Dance like everyone is watching.
33. Drink a mocha latte.
34. Get a facial or do one at home.
35. Go to a thrift store for some retail therapy and look for some vintage issues of MS magazine, Vogue, Elle, and Glamour, then do a reading swap with friends.
36. Read “Whiskey in a Teacup” by Reese Witherspoon.
37. Have a Reese Witherspoon movie marathon and include both “Legally Blonde’s.
38. Watch reruns of “That Girl” because Marlo Thomas is an empowered feminist.
39. Watch reruns of “Murder She Wrote” because J.B. Fletcher was a well-dressed, well-mannered bad ass.
40. Campaign for Kamala Harris to take her rightful place in the Oval Office in 2028.