In one of the best things to happen ever, Mayor of Boston Marty Walsh has declared April 9 to be known as ‘Riot Grrrl Day’ in an incredible tribute to one of the most significant Riot Grrrl’s of all, Kathleen Hanna. Bikini Kill and Le Tigre member, outspoken and pivotal activist for punk feminists and all round bad bitch, Kathleen Hanna is a lot of women’s heroes (including mine).
Heading to Boston to deliver a lecture and performance at Boston’s Wilbur Theatre, it was there that the city’s Chief of Policy Joyce Linehan introduced and honoured Hanna. They have been, coincidentally, friends for 20 years, so it was pretty fitting. Linehan said of the event to Boston, “[Kathleen’s agent] called me to see if I would introduce Kathleen, probably based on the fact that Kathleen, back in the day, used to stay at my house when bands came through town.” Aside from the fact that is just so fucking cool, it was a pretty fitting introduction to say the least.
Linehan went on to detail their shared history at the event, before pushing the ever-important messages behind the Riot Grrrl movement. Even in the proclamation, signed by the Mayor himself, the message Riot Grrrls every where strived for is detailed in fantastic light. “The riot grrrl philosophy has never felt more relevant, with misogyny still rampant in many cultural spaces;” it says. “Riot grrrls redefine the language used against them and continue to fight the newest incarnations of patriarchy. In doing so, they ironically confirm one ex-congressman’s accidental wisdom: ‘the female body has ways to try to shut that down.’ It sure does: women’s voices telling their stories can shut that down.”
Here’s hoping this reaches out to those who can – and should – continue to strive to make a difference. If you need to touch up on your Riot Grrrl attitudes, you can read the Riot Grrrl Manifesto here.