Women with ego's not even gravity could humble

The recent space tourism venture by Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez, Gayle King et al - framed as an effort to "inspire women," highlights a profound disconnect between celebrity activism and the actual challenges facing women today.

While they soared above the atmosphere for a brief 10-minute experience, millions of women on Earth struggle with far more pressing concerns:

* Women across America and globally face food insecurity, unable to afford basic necessities for themselves and their families

* Female NASA employees and women in STEM fields continue facing systemic barriers, job insecurity, and the erasure of their contributions

* The gender pay gap persists across industries, with women still earning significantly less than male counterparts for equivalent work

This space tourism adventure, which costs more than what many women earn in their lifetimes, appears profoundly tone-deaf against this backdrop. True feminist advocacy would recognize these disparities rather than present expensive personal adventures as somehow advancing women's causes.

If these celebrities genuinely wish to advance feminism, they might better use their considerable influence to encourage the powerful men in their lives, including billionaire partners, to support policies and practices that benefit all women: fair wages, affordable childcare, reproductive healthcare access, and equal opportunities in education and employment.

Inspiration doesn't come from watching the privileged few experience extraordinary luxuries. It comes from meaningful actions that address the systemic barriers keeping ordinary women from achieving their potential.

AA✨
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(This was first posted by me on LinkedIn a few days after this silly “exploration”)