Open Your Eyes (1999)

I want to begin Women’s History Month by talking about the rise and fall of #girlboss. Since it’s 2014 popularization by Sophia Amoruso, the concept has gone from aspirational to problematic, paralleling the downfall of Amoruso’s “Nasty Gal” fempire due to allegations of discrimination and eventual bankruptcy.

The topic can be hard to breach, as detractors of the #girlboss want to do so without coming across as anti-feminist. But ultimately the #girlboss trope is a perversion of feminism, using girl power as a façade for gross capitalistic behaviors such as exploiting workers or fostering toxic work environments. But don’t just take my word for it, ask Marla Grayson.