President Barbie, Astronaut Barbie, even housewife Barbie, Barbie is a fictional manifestation of the opportunities out there for women today. Yes, there is a way to go when it comes to equality across the board but we need to acknowledge we’ve come a very long way in a relatively short space of time. The girls from Team TT have been reflecting on what it means and how it feels to be a woman today:
Susie is our female founder and en’tree’preneur. An awe inspiring individual who grew this business singlehandedly whilst juggling two young boys. I might add that she also dead lifts a tree trunk with just as much finesse as the boys!
“I would say ‘choice’ is what I value the most. We can be working mothers, stay at home mothers, we can breastfeed or not breastfeed, we can choose to vote or not vote, the difference between 1923 and 2023 is we have the choice,”
Liv is the most kind hearted human you’ll come across but don’t be fooled, this girl means business. Brought up on the family farm, Liv is often found elbows deep, assisting with tricky calf deliveries. She udderly rocks an overall too, farm chic is totally a thing.
“I enjoy being exactly who I want to be. I am not a typical girly girl; my favourite activity on a weekend is to rush down to the pub to watch the football, not that long ago this was still not accepted. Arsenal ladies recently just sold out their 60,000 capacity stadium for the first time ever. This just shows the power women now have in what used to be a purely male dominated world. As Beyonce once said “Power is not given to you. You have to take it.”
Luby: Bride Luby, rockstar Luby, allotment Luby. Not dissimilar to Barbie herself, Luby owns every manifestation of herself and does it all with precision, determination and a bow in her hair…
“Barbie is a fashion icon. She wholeheartedly owns the Barbie she chooses to be each and every day and I think that this freedom carries over into reality too. Society no longer pigeonholes fashion into stereotypes, there’s much more room to play!”
Rebekah is the new girl on the block. Whilst the blonde hair and enviable fashion sense may lure you into a false sense of security, be assured that this one has a lightning quick brain, razor sharp ideas and a can do attitude that will smash right through any glass ceiling.
“I feel privileged that I am able to raise a daughter in a world that whilst it still has many imperfections, is also a product of people who have fought hard to make a difference. It’s not even about gender, it’s about equality, acceptance and honesty. From gender choice to mental health, we live in a kinder world where people are more free to be themselves and ultimately more free to be happy. The Suffragettes took the first big step but they also paved the way for a wave of positivity for many generations to come and it’s only going to get better.”
Amelia, Twilight Trees’ resident ‘Wonderwords’ wears many hats too and not just metaphorically. Whilst not weaving words, Amelia can be found in her millinery studio making hats for everyone from Mother of the Bride Barbie, to racing Barbie to Barbie at the Palace!
“There are so many things but I totally admire how feminism has come full circle. Whilst there was a time that women burnt their bras and their kitchens we are free once again to openly embrace the simple pleasures in life as well as bossing it in the workplace and all with full bosom support!”
