We talk a lot about how representation matters here at Relatable. And it’s true. We know that by seeing a similar version of ourselves or the same parts to a different whole make us feel acknowledged. To be seen is to have confirmation of existence, it’s an affirmation that we are real, that we matter, that we are not alone.
While the world inches forward (ever so slowly) in the diversity stakes, there are women across the globe already leading the charge. Women who are unapologetically themselves – in their bodies, within their identities and simply as vulnerable human beings. We see these women and we are grateful for their trailblazing, for their mistakes, for their achievements…we can relate to them.
As part of an ongoing series, we want to share with you some of our most loved ladies, both local and abroad; you may have heard of some of them, others maybe a new introduction. Either way, we hope you enjoy getting to know them a little more.
ROXANE Gay
If you’ve not heard of Roxane by now, you’ve not done your homework (that’s ok, we’ll do it for you). From authoring masterpieces such as Hunger, Difficult Women and Bad Feminist to establishing her most recent publication, Gay Mag, as part of the Medium platform, Gay is here to challenge your thinking.
And her own. In her 2015 TED talk (below), she talks about being “full of contradictions” and not quite on the ‘right’ side of feminism (watch it, it’s illuminating). She has written essays on living in a larger body and how she is treated because of it. She has talked openly and honestly about trying to have a better relationship with her body and how she initially disappointed herself by succumbing to weight-loss surgery in 2018. She is a constant on Twitter and Instagram, often brutally honest and negative, simultaneously drawing criticism and support in droves. She is fond of the ‘clap back’; giving internet trolls a good serve when they deserve it.
Gay is a tough, complicated, intelligent and vulnerable woman. She is black and queer and fat. She is honest and brutal and pioneering. The very definition of relatable.
ESME Weijun Wang
When you first land on Esme’s (Ez-may) website, you’re greeted with the briefest of bio’s – ‘Award-winning writer. Friend of ambitious people living with limitations.’ It’s a heartwarming – and poetic – way to make people feel welcome, particularly those who have more-than-the-average set of struggles. Wang is the author of two books, The Border of Paradise and the more recent New York Times Bestseller, the Collected Schizophrenias Essays, which details her very personal journey through life diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder.
Born to Taiwanese parents in Michigan, Esme navigates childhood as best she can, with her teenage years culminating in her initial diagnosis, the year before she sets off for college. Throughout the book, Wang talks candidly about her experiences as someone living with a mental illness, including institutionalisation, medication and potential motherhood, interspersing the dialogue with medical research and public opinion. It’s a harrowing story, and you can’t help feeling connected to Wang by the end of it.
As one would expect, her website details her writing efforts, accolades and achievements, but it is her blog, The Unexpected Shape, which shows Wang’s true dedication to helping others and connecting with others who live with limitations learn about ‘“creativity, resilience and legacy.”
“But just because you have limitations—whether they be caregiving responsibilities, disability, chronic illness, or any other life circumstance that causes you to feel fenced in—doesn’t mean you can’t kick ass, too.” – Esme Weijun Wang
HANNAH Gadsby
When I first watched Australian comedian Gadsby’s special on Netflix, the screening of her stand-up show Nanette (trailer below), I was, quite literally, stunned into silence. I had so many feelings about it that I couldn’t pick just one to focus on and vocalise. Eventually, I unpacked some of my thoughts and then it all came out as an ugly mess (you should have seen me).
Shocking. Real. Hilarious. Traumatic. Relatable.
That someone could so eloquently weave humour through some stunningly horrific experiences was groundbreaking. Here Gadsby was, being brave and defiant, vulnerable and funny, all at once. I was hooked. To watch someone tell the world of their experiences with identity, neurodiversity, misogyny and assault all while making audiences everywhere fall about with laughter and choke on their tears simultaneously; well, what a feat.
Cut to early 2019, and Gadsby announced her new tour, Douglas (named after one of her dogs, which makes me love her even more). Here she delves deeper into her autism and ADHD and I’ll be even more swoony after I’ve seen it in December at the Opera House in Sydney.
TESS Holliday
Ms Holliday is a bit of a legend around these parts (by which I mean Relatable HQ). The beautiful 34 year old is a model & make-up artist, founder of #EffYourBeautyStandards, mum and author. In October 2018, she became UK Cosmopolitan magazine’s first ever plus size cover girl. Suffice to say, she’s a very busy lady.
Candid about her mental health and body image struggles on social media (she has 1.9m Instagram followers), Holliday refers to herself as a body positive activist and this year, came out as pansexual. In recent months, Tess has been very open about her depressive episodes, in particular her postpartum diagnosis. She subsequently took a small break from social media to concentrate on her health, but as of early August is feeling “better than she has in a long time.”
After years of bullying, rejection and society knockbacks, Holliday is testament to self-belief, hard work and determination, but acknowledges the tough days can be miserable and exhausting. Can’t get more Relatable than that.
“Life is so much more beautiful and complex than a number on a scale.” – Tess Holliday
CELESTE Barber
We love ourselves a funny lady and Aussie Celeste Barber is one of the best.
Barber is very much having her ‘it’ moment right now, touring the US, UK, Australia and NZ with her one-woman comedy show, Challenge Accepted. And while many of us have grown to love Celeste through her hilarious ‘relatable’ Instagram posts, which show her mimicking celeb photos with her own ‘real-life’ spin, Barber was working her behind off long before this recent ‘overnight success’. Having worked in the TV and comedy stand-up industries for years, you may recall Barber from the popular drama, All Saints, where she played paramedic Bree Matthews for 4 years (God, I miss that show!).
But as soon as Vogue labels you ‘the funniest woman on Instagram’, all bets are off. With 2.5m followers, a new book under her belt and #hothusband at her side, she cannot step a foot wrong. If you spiral down the rabbit hole of her life (which I have), you’ll find she’s just a regular Mum from the Central Coast, working hard and trying to live her best life.
Same as the rest of us.
JACINDA Ardern
How exactly do we relate to a Prime Minister, you ask? Good question, let me explain.
Yes, Ardern is the New Zealand PM and yes, she boasts an impressive political CV. However, she’s also a strong, hard-working mother, lover of cats, and a self proclaimed feminist. She denounced the religion she was raised in (Mormonism), because her values no longer aligned with her church. She is an avid (and loud) supporter of gay and women’s rights and was the first ever New Zealand PM to participate in the Gay Pride parade of 2018; walking the parade alongside her gay Finance Minister, Grant Robertson.
What draws people to Ardern, in my opinion, is her humanity. She has an inclusive view of immigration, delivered a visionary government budget focusing on wellbeing, mental health and climate change and is currently fighting for abortion reform. Her handling of the Christchurch mosque shootings earlier this year cemented her as a grounded, empathetic and powerful world leader.
Pretty impressive lady, but seemingly down-to-earth all the same. Might invite her for dinner next time she’s in town.
