Female voices can be so powerful if you let them. In the last few months, it feels as though millions of women’s stories have suddenly burst forward, bringing issues like rape culture, the wage gap and body shame to the forefront of the conversation in a big way. As female founders, it feels damn good to finally feel like we have the opportunity to hear and be heard.

Since last week was Women’s Equality Day, we wanted to take this moment and thank all of the amazing women – in real life and the interwebs! – who have inspired us, befriended us, guided us, made us laugh hysterically and led us to the rightest & brightest path, even when we – as ballsy women often do – strayed millions of miles away from it.

Watch, learn, laugh, love & get inspired #AF.

In the #News: Do Women Have the Right to Wear the Burkini?

From body shame to burkini blitz, where does the war on women’s bodies end? On August 5th, the mayor of Villeneuve-Loubet, France banned swimmers from wearing clothes that showed an “obvious religious affiliation”, an initiative aimed directly at Muslim women who regularly wear full-body swimsuits, many of whom were escorted off the beach by officers. This quick clip will walk you through the horrific story in less than 30s.

We Are The #UnitedStatesofWomen

“Equality, duh. Because literally, duh.” Couldn’t have said it better ourselves. In this video, feel connected to Michelle Obama, Meryl Streep, Kerry Washington, Tina Fey & other extraordinary women. Use their stories to know that one day, we will run our own empires. And be paid the same as men for the same jobs. And be able to CHOOSE when we say yes and when we say no. Duh.

Who Run The World? #GIRLS

Less than a 100 years ago, women in the US couldn’t vote. Today, we’re close to having more women in office than ever before. That is incredible. Dying to see what happens when every girl in the world finds her inner Beyonce and takes over? So. Are. We. Beyonce background music got me watching this video on repeat.

J.K Rowling, Friend, Feminist & #LadyBoss

Is there anything more beautiful than a woman who grabs rejection by the balls and turns it into a smashing success story? There really isn’t. J.K. Rowling, thank you for inspiring women to rise above the constant criticism of our gender, preferences and lifestyle choices and truly reshaping how men and women see the world.  Loving this montage of inspiring quotes.