2021 marks the 25th annual celebration of poets and poetry. National Poetry Month, launched by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, reminds the public that poets play an integral role in our culture and that poetry matters. Here are ten quotes by women poets to celebrate. Ten Quotes by Women Poets “We all move forward when we recognize how resilient and striking the women around us are” ~Rupi Kaur “Who so loves believes the impossible.” ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning “Can anything be sadder than work left unfinished? Yes, work never begun.” ~Christina Rossetti “Art hurts. Art urges voyages – and it is easier to stay at home.” ~Gwendolyn Brooks “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” ~Mary Oliver   “Poetry is the lens we use to interrogate the history we stand on and the future we stand for. It’s no coincidence that at the base of the Statue of Liberty, there is a poem.” ~Amanda Gorman “We want deeper sincerity of motive, a greater courage in speech and earnestness in action.” ~Sarojini Naidu “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” ~Maya Angelou “Poetry, above all, is a series of intense moments – its power is not in narrative. I’m not dealing with facts, I’m dealing with emotion.” ~Carol Ann Duffy “Keep up the good work, if only for a while, if only for the twinkling of a tiny galaxy.” ~Wislawa Szymborska More Girls That Create posts: 10 Quotes About Moms Raising …

While the old nursery rhyme proclaims that girls are “made of sugar and spice and everything nice,” history demonstrates that girls are made of stronger stuff. “Girlhood (It’s Complicated)” showcases how girls have been on the frontlines of change and how they have made an impact on all aspects of American life. 200 Years 200 Objects Spanning a timeframe of more than 200 years and showcasing approximately 200 objects, including some never-before-seen artifacts, the exhibition examines the ways American girls, from Helen Keller to Minnijean Brown to Naomi Wadler, have spoken up, challenged expectations, and used their voices to effect change. Among the highlights are a 1781 sampler stitched by 13-year-old Betsy Bucklin, a makeup table from 1820, an 1850s gym suit, Helen Keller’s touch watch, the 1959 graduation dress worn by Brown, one of the Little Rock Nine, following her expulsion from Central High School and Isabella Aiukli Cornell’s 2019 red prom dress symbolizing her activism related to Indigenous women and decorated with tribal insignia representing her citizenship in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. “Girls’ lives are often imagined as idyllic, empowered, and uncomplicated,” said Anthea M. Hartig, Elizabeth MacMillan Director, and the first former girl to lead the museum. “Throughout American history, girls have resisted attempts to be defined and have used their voices to effect change. Yet, this is not an exhibition about ‘girl power’—if anything, this exhibition demonstrates that historically, girls have been denied power and agency. What it means to be a girl—and a woman—has continuously been debated and negotiated but …

Below are 10 touching quotes from women on raising daughters. Each one is a powerful reminder about mothers helping their girls grow up to lead full, valuable lives. 10 Quotes About Moms Raising Daughters “My mother’s love has always been a sustaining force for our family, and one of my greatest joys is seeing her integrity, her compassion, her intelligence reflected in my daughters.” ~Michelle Obama, attorney, author, first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017 “The more a daughter knows the details of her mother’s life, the stronger the daughter.” ~Anita Diamant, bestselling author “My mother shed her protective love down around me and without knowing why people sensed that I had value.” ~Maya Angelou, poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist “My daughter is one of my greatest inspirations. She’s an environmentalist, she plays piano, she’s raising money for the earthquake victims in Nepal. Every day she surprises me and teaches me something.” ~Patti Smith, singer-songwriter, musician, author, and poet “Women are not only deciding the outcome of elections, they serve as important role models for their daughters and other young women – they hold a key to expanding the way in which women value and experience politics.” ~Cheryl Mills, lawyer and corporate executive “I think, as women, we have to stop being scared to be the women we want to be and we have to raise our daughters to be the women they want to be – not the women we think they should be.” ~Jada Pinkett Smith, actress, screenwriter, producer, …

We’re so excited to announce the launch of the Girls That Create (GTC) store. You can find the storefront here. Created by talented graphic designer Laura Castillo, the shop features apparel, stickers, magnets, posters, and home/office goods. The items you see in our store today are just the beginning. We’ll be adding more, and we’d love to hear about the merchandise you’d like to see. Click here to submit your ideas and provide feedback. Become a Girls That Create Patron Looking for other ways to support GTC? Consider becoming a GTC Patron on Patreon. As the brand works day-in and day-out to support creative girls and their families, GTC is raising funds for the platform and its mission throughout 2021. All funds raised through Patreon will be used to increase the free resources, items, and creative support available to families. Specifically, GTC wants to PAY women freelances who contribute to the platform. This will also allow more diversity regarding the content GTC delivers. Patreon is a site that enables YOU to provide GTC with ongoing, reliable monetary support. People who can afford to contribute make it possible for GTC to remain FREE and be available for those who can’t. Bonus, you get some awesome stuff too. The GTC Patreon includes five tiers: a $6 per month package a $12 per month package, a $24 per month package, a $48 per month package, and a $96 per month package. Each package includes features like newsletters, monthly printables, surprise gifts special contests, and the list goes on. If …

It cannot be stated enough. Consuming various books encourages empathy with others, challenges beliefs, and offers new ways of thinking. Readers learn and celebrate diverse cultures and identities. This includes reading literature by Black female writers. To see through the lens of Black protagonists, dive into these 10 notable and renowned books. 10 Books by Black Female Writers 1) The Inheritance Trilogy: N. K. Jemisin This trilogy is a group of fantasy novels that tell Yeine Darr’s story. She finds herself in the throes of a power struggle over her grandfather’s throne, Dekarta, the King of the World. Amongst the fierce battle for power with her cousins, she must also solve her mother’s murder while dodging the Sky Gods and their influence. Jemisin’s entire series won Locus Award for Best Novel in 2011. It was also nominated for the World Fantasy, Hugo, and Nebula award. 2) Parable of the Sower: Octavia Butler Parable of the Sower is the first installment of a two-part book series. It is a science fiction, dystopian novel written in 1993 about the 2020s. The world is in deep peril regarding climate change issues, the growing separation between classes, and corporate greed. In the midst of this, the story follows Lauren Oya, a young woman who lives in a safe gated community with her family. Lauren suffers from a condition called “hyperempathy,” meaning that she can feel others’ pain and turmoil without even trying. After outsiders breach her community, destroy her home, and kill her family, Lauren becomes the sole survivor. …

At the start of 2021 we don’t have to look far for reminders that in the hands of current powers, progress, equality, and empowerment are provisional and delicate social qualities. On the same day that Women Deliver hosted an online gathering of experts to discuss their report with Focus 2030 on gender equality, Poland imposed a near-total abortion ban. We’re reminded this world, especially when it comes to women’s rights, is divided by borders and belief systems. Freedoms and equality expand in one country, while similar liberties are denied elsewhere. While evolution will never be linear, it does appear to be exponential. The report, titled Citizens Call for a Gender-Equal World, surveyed 17,000 participants from 17 countries. It shows that despite traditionalist cultures and governments, citizens across the globe want a gender-equal world. The first-of-its-kind survey also states a resounding majority of citizens are ready for their governments to take action. The Major Themes Conscious Citizens: 80 percent of respondents personally believe that gender equality is important. Lagging Governments: 65 percent of respondents want their government to invest more to promote gender equality. Pandemic Planning: 82 percent of respondents believe women should be involved in all aspects of COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. Youth Expectations: 75 percent of female respondents aged 18-24 expect their government to increase funding for gender equality. Poverty Prevention: 60 percent of respondents agree that achieving gender equality is essential to ending poverty in all countries. The Considerable Context Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Wangechi Wachira, Executive Director of the Center …

Like most professions throughout history, careers in the humanities and the arts were often restricted to men only. Despite massive hurdles, there are women creatives who worked tirelessly to become noteworthy figures in their artistic disciplines. To commemorate International Creativity Month, here are 10 uplifting quotes by modern-day creative women. 10 Quotes for Creative Women for International Creativity Month 1) “Don’t wait for permission to do something creative.” ~Ava DuVernay, Director DuVernay is the highest-grossing black woman director in American box office history. She developed several films to educate the public on criminal justice, systematic and systemic racism, and contribute to other projects to show a different representation of black people in other genres, like fantasy, drama, and romantic comedies. 2) “My hope is that we continue to nurture the places that we love, but that we also look outside our immediate worlds.” ~Annie Leibovitz, Photographer Leibovitz works as a portrait photographer. Her career began in Rolling Stone, where her photographic style of celebrities and choices of colors made her stand out above the rest. She continued her career in working for Vanity Fair as well as other ad campaigns. 3) “If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.” ~Toni Morrison, Novelist Morrison is one of the most prominent novelists in the world. Her novels shared a rich, in-depth perspective of black women. She discusses not only their roles within the United States but also their position within the black community. 4) …

Renee Cox is a photographer, artist, lecturer, and political activist who lives in New York. Born in Jamaica, she is recognized as one of the most important African American artists working today to celebrate Black womanhood. The Boca Raton Museum of Art has graciously shared images of Cox’s work The Signing with Girls That Create. Currently on display at the museum, this witty and dramatic large-scale piece reimagines Howard Chandler Christy’s historical painting Scene at The Signing of the Constitution of the United States. Cox’s contemporary (and glamorous) twist on Christy’s painting shows modern-day women and men of color in the place of the Founding Fathers. Cox’s subjects are all decked out ─ some in current fashions, others in 1700s period clothing, and some wear dazzling African garb. In describing her photography, Cox states: “This work aims to unleash the potential of the ordinary and bring it into a new realm of possibilities. It’s about time we re-imagine our own constitutions.” This is the first time a museum has exhibited The Signing. “The Signing was created on a grand scale and in the tradition of history painting,” said Kathleen Goncharov, the Senior Curator of the Boca Raton Museum of Art. “This is a revisionist look at one of America’s most historic events ─ the founding of the nation. The image brings to light that although people of color did not participate in the signing of the Constitution, they have most certainly played important roles and made vital contributions to the building of this country. Museum visitors are encouraged …

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to read one book about women in music per month. And goodness are there are some excellent candidates! Below are 60 books. The list does not rank these books, rather the collection is to give you tons of choices for your reading pleasure. This post contains affiliate links via Bookshop, whose mission is to financially support local, independent bookstores. Women in Music: 60 Books Women in Music Books 1 – 10 Face It: A Memoir: Debbie Harry with Blondie has sold millions of albums worldwide and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Girl in a Band: A Memoir: Kim Gordon, founding member of Sonic Youth, fashion icon, and role model for a generation of women, now tells her story-a memoir of life as an artist, of music, marriage, motherhood, independence, and as one of the first women of rock and roll. I Put a Spell on You: The Autobiography of Nina Simone: Simone changed the face of both music and race relations in America. Good Booty: Love and Sex, Black and White, Body and Soul in American Music: Ann Powers, NPR’s acclaimed music critic examines how popular music shapes fundamental American ideas and beliefs, allowing us to communicate difficult emotions and truths about our most fraught social issues, most notably sex and race. All I Ever Wanted: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Memoir: Kathy Valentine, Go-Go’s bassist Valentine’s story is a roller coaster of sex, drugs, and of course, music. It’s also a story …

Whether you love it or hate it, Christmas music is here again. Readers loved the last Girls That Create post on holiday songs by women, so here are 10 more for your playlist. Once again we’ve thrown in some soul, rock and other numbers with all the feels (Spotify link below). Enjoy and Happy Holidays! 10 More Christmas Songs Where Women Rock It 1) Christmas, Baby Please Come Home:  Darlene Love If you’ve seen the 2013 documentary 20 Feet from Stardom, you’ll recall Darlene Love (if you haven’t seen it, please do, the film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 86th Academy Awards). Love grew up listening to gospel music and began singing in her church choir at age 10. She is also an actress. For years Love brought the house down on the Late Show with David Letterman singing Christmas, Baby Please Come Home. 2) Winter Wonderland: Eurythmics British pop duo Eurythmics gifted us this beautiful version of Winter Wonderland. Member Annie Lennox’s vocal range is contralto. She has earned the distinction of “most successful female British artist in UK music history”. Enjoy Lennox’s talents. 3) Joy: Tracey Thorn Tracey Thorn began her musical career in the punk-pop hybrid group Stern Bops playing guitar and providing some vocal backing. She is best known as being one half of the duo Everything but the Girl. Joy is on Thorn’s fourth solo album entitled Tinsel and Lights. Listen and watch this moving video. 4) I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas: Kacey Musgraves  At age eight …