Hey vinas! Welcome to our new series, Fearless Femme Fridays. Each week, we’ll be rounding up a list of badass women who gave us major inspo. We’re giving a huge 🙌 to these amazing females. Meet them below!
SERENE WANG
Meet Hey! VINA user and CEO and Founder of EliteLink Education (TOEFL), Serene Wang. A NYU alumni with a killer #bossbabe style, Serene was just awarded the Most Influential Online Instructor in China for the month of August!
“Being an entrepreneur and an educator partnered with over 50 institutions and companies around the world, one thing is very clear to me: I never had high expectations of others, I would only expect the best out of myself,” she said in an interview with Sinovison English Channel.
Serene’s TOEFL Teaching Textbooks are coming out this January–WOO!
JAHANA HAYES
The 2016 National Teacher of the Year, Jahana Hayes just won the primary race for US Congress, representing Connecticut’s Fifth Congressional District—moving her one step closer to becoming Connecticut’s first Black Democrat in US Congress! Coming from a family of drug abuse, giving birth to her first daughter at the age of 17 and even considered dropping out of high school, Jahana is proof that hard work pays off.
On Wednesday, she told the Washington Post, “I built my teaching career by telling my students you don’t get to complain here. If you see a problem in your community, you go and fix it.” She empathizes with others, and since she comes from a low-to-middle class neighborhood, she understands the struggles of the real world. On Tuesday night, Jahana proved that no matter where you come from, you should never give up. Your struggles can lead to your purpose.
JACINDA ARDERN
Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, is the youngest female Head of State ever at 38 years old. But that’s not all! Jacinda has a list of #bossvina achievements, including being the first New Zealand Prime Minister to march in a Gay Pride Parade and being the only second leader in modern history to give birth in office (first ever to take maternity leave!). Jacinda is paving the way for empowered vinas across the globe.
“I refuse to be held up as some kind of superwoman, because in my mind, the superwomen are the ones who do it on their own,” Jacinda told Marie Claire in this interview. “I don’t want there to be an assumption that women should do everything. This whole notion that women can have it all and do it all—maybe they can, but should we expect that of them? There’s something to be said for being more mindful of everyone being able to make the choice that’s best for them.”
We don’t mind calling Jacinda Wonder Woman though. 🙌🏾
BEKAH MARTINEZ
The former Bachelor contestant and current Bachelor in Paradise star is known for more than just her quick-wit. The outspoken feminist stood up for all vinas after receiving Instagram direct messages saying that a fellow Paradise contestant had sexually harassed them. Bekah called out the contestant on Instagram and urged fans to push for stricter casting processes from ABC.
After receiving backlash from the contestant in question, Bekah answered this in an interview to the Daily Dot: “Since when is exposing someone’s history of sexual harassment worse than the harassment itself? Don’t be a shitty person, and people won’t have shitty stories to tell about you.”
Bekah is the truest vina of them all.
FIRST LIEUTENANT MARINA HIERL
First Lt. Marina Hierl is the first woman ever to graduate from the Marine Corps’ intense Infantry Officer Course and now is also the first female Marine to lead an infantry platoon in her service’s history. This 24 year-old has fought against sexism within her own Australia-based platoon and has stood up for herself and her vinas every day. Marina aspired to lead a Marine platoon since former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta waived the policy barring women from serving in the infantry.
“I didn’t think there was anything better in the Marine Corps I could do,” Marina told The New York Times.
Marina, we are giving you a big round of applause!
AND A SPECIAL SHOUTOUT TO. . .
CHRISTINE HALLQUIST
On Tuesday, August 14, Christine became the first transgender candidate to be nominated for a governorship by a major party, beating three other candidates in Vermont’s Democratic primary, according to The Associated Press. She won with over 40% of the vote. “Tonight, we made history,” she told supporters at an election night party in Burlington. “I am so proud to be the face of the Democrats tonight.”
Congrats, Christine!
Come back next Friday and meet more kickass femmes. Until then, check out Hey! VINA to meet awesome vinas in your area.
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