How the Spice Girls Contribute to Gender Equity
Photo credit: Christophe Gstalder
By Lindsay Bissett
“When I came out of my mother’s womb I screamed, Girl Power!” -Geri Halliwell, aka. Ginger Spice
The Spice Girls. My childhood. Collecting bubble gum to get all the stickers, knowing the lyrics to all the songs, and a few of the dance moves (I’m still a terrible dancer), Scholastic book fair posters, and answering which Spice girl you were that day. Peak nostalgia fuel.
I was going to start this blog by immediately listing the awards and accomplishments the Spice Girls made in the music industry, also include a bio with general background. But, to me, the Spice Girls are more than the best-selling female group of all time, are a movement. Millennials have been coined the Spice Girl Generation, and I for one and here for it. Why? Why not be proud of a female empowerment movement, one that became worldwide and widely accessible. A movement delivered through music, positivity, and fun. Women supporting women had never looked so good.
The Spice Girls told me girls have power, and I believed them.
Part of feminism that has proven difficult for some women is embracing differences. The Spice Girls told us “rules are for fools, and a fool’s paradise is hard to find.” We are not all the same, nor should we be, but feminism, and women supporting women, needs to include all women. The Spice Girls demonstrated this in a very visual way through their wardrobe and personas. Each girl had their own look, and no one was better than the other, just different. No one was shamed for being sexy, no one was “asking for it”. They were celebrated collectively and individually for their unique personalities, and the bold display of those differences is why people were so drawn to the Spice Girls, to Girl Power, because they saw themselves.
Ok by now it’s easy to see I am a fan. So why do the Spice Girls matter in 2024? Because we can still lean into those learnings from the Spice Girls today, in workplaces and in our everyday lives.
1. It’s ok to be direct. “Tell me what you want, what you really really want” (Wannabe)
What do we want? Gender equity. When do we want it? Now!
The Spice Girls gave women permission to be direct about what they want. Gave us permission to live in our power and be ourselves.
Men are often praised for their directness, a space where women can be criticized for flexing the same muscle. I say keep flexing! There is powering is simply stating what our needs are and it’s not something the Spice Girls would tell us to shy away from.
Workplaces can take note of this. When designing compensation and benefits plans, recruitment strategies, marketing, career pathing and more, be sure to include women in those conversations.
Not sure how women want to be supported? Ask us.
2. Boundaries. “What part of no don’t you understand..” (Too Much)
No is a full sentence. Full stop.
3. Take time to process things and savor the good moments. “Slow it down, read the sign, so you know just where you’re going.” (Stop)
At work or at home, how often do we feel like we are rushing. As a society we are continually being pulled into this rush, hustle culture. The Spice Girls told us to slow it down.
Slow it down so you know just where you’re going.
This is something I am actively practicing. As a typically speedy responder I am beginning to see such value in slowing, in waiting. Put that email in a folder and process for a while. Usually this leads me to a more thoughtful, purposeful response.
Slowing down in life is as critical as in the workplace.
To leaders, are you perpetuating hustle culture? Are you fueling a false sense of urgency? You have the power to pivot, and you deserve to slow down too.
4. “All you need is positivity” (Spice Up Your Life)
Positivity, and I don’t mean the toxic kind.
Bad days will happen, and that’s ok to acknowledge. The world is an imperfect place, and that’s also ok acknowledge.
Where positivity comes in is finding the good. Finding the good in people, in situations, and when we don’t find it, work towards it. Work towards those better days, better policies, better world for everyone around us.
Positivity fuels people, it fuels movements. Positivity is fuel for a better tomorrow. Positivity is a key ingredient in hope, and with hope we can do anything.
Now go spice up your life!
About Lindsay Bissett:
By day Lindsay is a Wellness and Disability Management Consultant, with a flair for social media and mental health advocacy. By night she is a mother of two, green smoothie aficionado, podcast listener, and active glamper.
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