CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Don’t miss our hottest news! Sign up today for our free newsletter.
Trending Tags
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
2015 was a year of powerhouse women.
Women were wowing us as leads in major films, women were rising to the tops of the fields, and women were using new positions of power to make a difference. Women were winning.
To celebrate the end of this year, and to help ring in the new one, here is a look back at some of our favorite moments of 2015, all of which star incredible, badass, hugely talented women:
1. Viola Davis makes the acceptance speech of the year
While accepting her award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Davis used her platform to discuss the serious racial divide in Hollywood, stating that "the only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there."
2. Jennifer Lawrence writes an open letter about pay inequality in Hollywood
When given the opportunity to write for Lena Dunham's publication Lenny, Lawrence chose to write about the pay and gender inequality she deals with in the film industry, an action that garnered national attention and support from dozens of other female celebrities.
3. Taylor Swift conquers the world
Tay Sway toured almost all year all over the world, had one of the most talked-about and viewed music videos in history with "Bad Blood," (which also inspired the now infamous hashtag #SquadGoals) and took on Apple Music to demand artists be paid for allowing the service to stream their music.
In short, Swift seems unstoppable, and we aren't complaining.
4. Female protagonists dominate film
Nearly half of the highest grossing films of 2015 featured female protagonists.
Movies such as Mockingjay Part 2, Trainwreck, Carol, and Mad Max: Fury Road proved once and for all that female-led films can hold their own at the box office while engaging and entertaining audiences everywhere.
5. Taraji P. Henson reigns over the Empire
FOX's Empire is an unstoppable hit, pulling in record viewership, drawing in incredible guest stars, and displaying impressive sales of its original music. While there are several theories as to why that is, there is no disputing that one of the biggest reasons people continue to watch every week is the oustanding performance of Cookie Lyon by Ms. Taraji P Henson.
Every week, Henson stuns audiences with her portrayal as the unstoppable matriarch, and proves why she is one of the greatest actors of our time.
6. Star Wars: The Force Awakens passes the Bechdel Test
The brilliance of the Bechdel Test lies in its simplicity. In theory, every film and TV show should pass it. But they don't.
So when a film that comes from a franchise as huge, as legendary, as integral to our society as Star Wars does pass, it's a pretty damn good day.
7. Adele takes over the music industry
Adele shattered record after record with her November release of junior album 25, including the first album to sell more than 3 million copies its first week, the best first-week sales for a female artist, and the best sales of 2015. Last week, it was reported that nearly 10 million people tried to buy tickets for her upcoming 2016 world tour.
Basically, it's Adele's world and we're all happy just living in it.
8. Noor Tagouri dreams big
Noor Tagouri is a self-described "journalist, speaker, and firebender" who has one clear dream: to become the first hijabi anchor on American TV. After creating social media buzz about her goal back in 2012, Tagouri has continued to become more well-known, and has appeared on countless news programs.
9. Hillary Clinton launches massive presidential campaign
Regardless of personal politics and opinions, Clinton deserves to be recognized for being the first woman to launch two huge, well-funded presidential campaigns. There is a solid chance that the 2016 democratic nominee for president could be Hillary Clinton and that, in itself, is extraordinarily impressive in a country where no woman has ever been the nominee from either of the two major parties.
10. Jen Welter becomes first female NFL coach
This summer, Welter was made Assistant Coach for the Arizona Cardinals, officially making her the first woman to hold a coaching position in the history of the NFL.
During a press conference, Welter stated: "I didn't even dream that [this] was possible. And I think the beauty of this is that, though it's a dream I never could have had, now it's a dream that other girls can grow up and have."
11. Shonda Rhimes takes over an entire night of television
With the massive success of How to Get Away with Murder, Scandal, and Grey's Anatomy -- all of which air back-to-back on Thursday nights -- showrunner Shonda Rhimes has cemented herself as a Thursday night staple, an unstoppable #TGIT force.
12. The US Women's Soccer Team becomes Women's World Cup Champions
The nation was captivated this summer, glued to our TV's and laptops to watch some of the most incredible athletes in the world become champions.
If there was ever any doubt about women being capable of being legendary, powerhouse athletes, look no futher.
13. Amber Rose hosts Slut Walk and says goodbye to the "Walk of Shame"
Rose made headlines several times this year, almost all of which were related to her activism and take-no-shit attitude when it comes to body autonomy for women.
After hosting her own SlutWalk in LA this summer, Rose gained more attention recently with her A+ "Funny or Die" video about refusing to feel shameful the morning after a one night stand:
14. Jessica Jones is the superhero of the year and the hero we need
Netflix really struck gold with this one. For years, we've been asking for a leading female superhero; not only does Jessica give us that, but it also gives us a leading female superhero who is deeply flawed, who's been through deeply painful experiences, and who, throughout it all, remains so perfectly human.
Along with a determined, empathetic female best friend and a powerful, brilliant female ally Jessica gives us a cast dominated by women. And we can't get enough.
15. Misty Copeland becomes the first African American female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre
After years and years of hard work and dedication, Copeland has risen to the top of her field, and made history doing it.
Says Kerry Washington of the massively talented Copeland: "She has just boldly blazed her own path despite what anybody else has to say about it."
16. Marriage equality is legalized 5 SCOTUS justices, 3 of whom are women
In June, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and Justice Elena Kagan helped to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide.
The landmark decision has and will continue to push the United States in the right direction.
17. Isis Anchalee proves that anyone can look like an engineer
After starring in an ad campaign for her emplyer, social media trolls called Anchalee out for her appearance and gender. Basically, people were implying that there's no way she could actually be an engineer because she's an attractive woman.
Anchalee saw this as an opportunity to call out gender inequalities in her chosen field and founded the #ILookLikeAnEngineer movement, which allowed women all over the nation to post selfies with the hashtag as a way to prove that engineers, like with any other occupation, come in all shapes, sizes, and genders.
18. Amy Schumer takes over the comedy world
Schumer appeared on our radar early in the year when she hosted the MTV Movie Awards. She continued to dazzle us throughout the rest of the year with her TV show, (Inside Amy Schumer) a huge summer movie, (Trainwreck) and most recently with her comedy special Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo.
She also reportedly wrote a screenplay with Jennifer Lawrence that will begin production next year. If that doesn't have you excited about 2016, I don't know what will.
19. Serena Williams is named Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year
Williams is an unstoppable force on and off the court. That's a given. She's also an inspiration to women and athletes of all genders all over the world.
Earlier this month, when accepting the award, Williams said "For all the ladies out there, yes, we can do it."
20. Laverne Cox becomes the first trans woman to win an Emmy as an Executive Producer
Back in April, OITNB fave Laverne Cox made Emmy's history (yet again) by winning an award for "Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word," a series she hosted and produced about the lives of seven young trans people.
Cox has established herself as a true icon on film and behind the scenes and we cannot wait to see what more milestones this trailblazer sets in 2016.
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
65 celebrities with OnlyFans accounts to thirst over
September 16 2024 4:25 AM
30 all-time greatest lesbian sex scenes in movies & where to stream them
September 10 2024 11:36 AM
30 same-sex couples who don't mind the age gap
September 10 2024 2:15 PM
25 reasons being a bottom is tougher than being a top
September 10 2024 2:44 PM
20 reasons 'straight' men hook up with guys
September 11 2024 12:59 PM
30 awkward things guys do in saunas
September 10 2024 12:01 PM
101 gay sex tips you didn't learn in sex ed class
September 09 2024 5:21 PM
Popular gay slang inspired by the animal kingdom explained
September 09 2024 11:44 AM
35 of the funniest drag queen names
September 12 2024 4:17 PM
30 sexy gay scenes in movies that have us feeling VERY h-word
September 13 2024 11:52 AM
Don’t miss our hottest news! Sign up today for our free newsletter.
Latest Stories
Mia Thornton SLAMS Karen Huger's mugshot & DUI as 'RHOP' feud intensifies
October 08 2024 1:06 PM
Colton Underwood goes SHIRTLESS dad mode, and we are fully supportive
October 08 2024 1:05 PM
15 queer women who changed history
October 08 2024 12:30 PM
Dive in! Tom Daley's new bathtub video has us hot and sudsy
October 08 2024 11:51 AM
NewFest returns to NYC on Thursday with over 140 queer titles for its 36th film festival
October 07 2024 5:39 PM
Adult star Matthew Camp reveals his favorite type of steamy scene to film
October 07 2024 5:25 PM
22 celebs who are out & proud of their trans & nonbinary kids
October 07 2024 5:03 PM
Straight men are VERY confused about what 'Locktober' means and the result is HILARIOUS
October 07 2024 4:07 PM
Trending Stories
Most Recent
Recommended Stories for You
Mckenna Ferguson
McKenna is a freelance writer, Netflix addict, and Colorado State University alumna. Her hobbies include sleeping, staying indoors, and crop top advocacy. #CropTopsForAll
McKenna is a freelance writer, Netflix addict, and Colorado State University alumna. Her hobbies include sleeping, staying indoors, and crop top advocacy. #CropTopsForAll