New Moon Rising

A cadre of hellacious women

Mar 19, 2024

“There is a new moon rising full of love, light, and hellacious women intent on restoring balance and righting wrongs. Their compassion is boundless, their strength indomitable, and their focus on healing unwavering.” - JB

John Pavlovitz recently asked, “Why are so many women complicit in their own marginalization?” In crafting an answer, I realized that calling out women who are still caught in the game, or railing against men who continue to promote it, is not the solution - at least not from my perspective. The more attention we give to the negativity that seems to have overtaken our news cycles - the more fuel for the drama is generated. Better, I think, to lead by example - to share the amazing work being done by amazing women whose voices are rising like a new moon across the landscape of our consciousness.

Whose Work Would You Recommend?

In thinking about the women I’d like to share, I was quickly overwhelmed. Poets, essayists, novelists, reporters, painters, sculptors, quilters, fashion designers, athletes, judges, actresses, environmental, indigenous peoples, and animal rights activists, not to mention all the firsts by women like Beryl Markham, Marie Curie, Katherine Johnson, Sally Ride, and Katalin Kariko.

Then I remembered that this Substack is about music, which narrowed things down a bit. Besides, my job is not to create a definitive list but to invite all of you to join me in identifying and celebrating the wonderful women who are members of our cadre. So here we go. I will begin by sharing eight women musicians whose work has moved and inspired me. Please feel free to share the names of women in all fields and of all persuasions you feel deserve recognition. Let’s create a wave of powerful women across our Substacks!

Jena
P.S. This does NOT mean that we stop identifying, reporting on, and demanding that crimes against women end.

My Top 8

Commander in Chief by Demi Lovato

Dear Mr. President by Pink

A Beautiful Noise by Brandi Carlile and Alicia Keys

You Don’t Own Me by Lesley Gore

Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys

Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield

The Man by Taylor Swift

Pirate Jenny by Nina Simone (contributed by

NickS (WA)

You Learn by Alanis Morissette (contriubted by