A Wild Feminist’s Guide to Making Sh*t Happen | WildFang 

Sorry, Beyonce—we ain’t no destiny’s child. Because a Wild Feminist leaves nothing to chance. A Wild Feminist makes sh*t happen. A Wild Feminist knows the only fortune she needs is the one she makes for herself.

When we think about the women we admire most, we think of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: the woman born to Russian immigrants who graduated Harvard Law School in a class that included only 9 females, the woman who went on to become a Supreme Court Justice of the United States. We think of Maya Angelou: the author, the civil rights activist, the woman who’s story of childhood trauma, racism, and adversity became one of the most influential books of the 20th century. We think of the women in our community (read: YOU ALL) who work their asses off every day to create their own destiny regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, race, age, background, or beginnings.

So f*ck luck, we say. Because success comes to those who hustle.

Need proof? Meet 5 inspiring women who are proving on the daily that a Wild Feminist’s fate is what she makes it. That the only things you need to shape your future are the things you already have in spades: your hustle, your heart, your ambition, your wonder, and your intuition.

One of the dopest of Dope Queens, Phoebe Robinson doesn’t give a sh*t that comedy is a white boys club—because she’s going to conquer it anyway. She doesn’t care that she’d never written a book before—because she’s going to write one anyway. And if you touch her hair, she’s sure as hell going to call you on it.

With two highly successful podcasts, a best selling book, and appearances on hits like 

“Ambition is important because it pushes you outside of your comfort zone,” she says. “If something doesn’t work out creatively, oh well. You’ll learn something and then apply it to the next thing. You’re only ‘failing’ toward success, I think. So why not dream big, push yourself hard, and you’ll end up somewhere even better than what you imagined.”

HILARY KNIGHT: ICE HOCKEY FORWARD / WORLD CHAMP / EQUAL PAY ACTIVIST

Forget that Hilary Knight is fresh off a gold medal win in the IIHF Women’s World Championship, she knows that an even bigger win happened off the ice. Alongside her teammates, Knight put that championship on the line by threatening to boycott the tournament if USA Hockey couldn’t come to an agreement on equitable support. A month later, the team emerged from tense negotiations with a victory not just for Women’s Hockey, but women everywhere who are still fighting to be paid as much as our male peers.

“I love what I do,” says Knight. “When we gear up and take the ice, that is the moment when everything comes together. All the hard work, the ups and downs. I embrace the challenges, the small victories, the pressure, the moment, because I know that I gave everything and did everything I could do to represent the team and our country.”

When she was just 21 years old, Grace Miceli founded Art Baby Gallery with the intent of hero-ing artists just like her: young, talented, and hungry. Six years later, Miceli (aka Art Baby herself), has established her place in the internet’s cultural landscape. From art to product to a sizeable social media following, she’s a prime example of the oft-traveled millennial career path: figure out what you love and create your own.

“I think the day to day life of a freelance artist requires a lot of courage,” says Miceli. “I’m meeting new people and conceiving of new projects daily, which takes a lot of confidence in yourself and what you’re doing because it’s all on you. I’ll never let myself get to the point where I think I know everything. The desire to learn, see, create and experience more, maintaining a constant sense of wonder is central to my artistic practice.”

ARDELIA LOVELACE: SKATEBOARDER / ARTIST / FASHION ICON

A member of the NY based crew Skate Kitchen, Ardelia Lovelace is making a name for herself at the crossroads of the unexpected: where skating meets art and fashion. Refusing to sit on the sidelines, Lovelace and her peers are redefining what it means to be a “girl skater” and creating a niche all their own where you just as likely to catch them in a Miu Miu campaign as you are at the skate park.

“Wonder is an interesting word for me.” Lovelace tells us. “I’m constantly wondering about my future, about whether or not I’ll have a good career. Sometimes that wondering makes me worry, but it also forces me to prepare for the future to some degree. That’s where hustle comes in: making something out of nothing.”

SASHEER ZAMATA: SNL CAST MEMBER / STAND UP COMEDIAN / WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVIST

Sasheer Zamata may be funny as f*ck, but that doesn’t mean she’s afraid to take on the serious topics. Incorporating discussions of gender and race into her act, Zamata’s standup covers everything from sexism, colorism, and what it means to be a black woman in Hollywood.

After years of hard work and auditions, Zamata joined the cast of SNL during it’s 39th season and quickly became a fan-favorite with memorable recurring characters and some killer impersonations.

“The worst someone can say is ‘no’,” says Zamata. “And I’ve gotten so many no’s in my life that it no longer feels like the worst thing. Whenever I get a no, that creates an opportunity for a new alternative and sometimes that ends up being better for me anyway.” 

As a critically acclaimed fiction writer, Tanwi Islam sees her line of ethically and sustainably sourced botanical scents as an extension of her storytelling. Islam’s stories which span cultures and perspectives are more important than ever, as we try to understand each other and embrace each other’s differences amid the current political climate.

“I think we all feel afraid for the future,” says Islam. “So I have to keep telling myself that building a fulfilling life for ourselves requires a lot of courage and openness.”

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Photography: Brianne Wills (assisted by Tafv Sampson) and Charise Ash

Hair and Makeup: Kristian Kanika, Lena Walsh, and Andrew Sotomayor, using MAC Cosmetics

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