Women have shaped the world we live in today. Numerous women have stood up for what they believe in and made a change. However, not all heroines wear capes; some wear sparkling knee-high Christian Louboutin boots.
Over the past two decades, Taylor Swift has not only set new records for the music industry but also impacted the lives of countless fans.
One of Swift’s first feminist contributions was in 2015, in response to Apple Music’s unfair compensation of artists. Swift publicly criticized Apple’s choice not to pay artists fairly during its free trial period. Swift wrote a letter to Apple in which she voiced the injustice faced by female artists specifically, leading the company to change its policy.
Swift has continued to persevere through patriarchal struggles. Her mission of advocacy did not start with Apple Music but when she first entered the music industry.
Swift was just 14 when she signed her first deal with Big Machine Records. As a young girl whose musical talent and lack of experience in the music industry were taken advantage of, Swift has made it her mission to speak out against inequality and stand up for her teenage self.
After releasing six albums with Big Machine Records, Swift decided to leave the label. Under the control of her label and later Scooter Braun, Swift was forbidden from performing and using some of her songs in her personal documentary.
With her previous contract expiring, Big Machine Records refused Swift’s request to reclaim ownership of her music. In 2018, Swift signed a new contract with Republic Records, where she decided to re-record her albums to possess the rights to her music.
Swift could no longer handle being under the management of a company that acted on misogyny. In order to put an end to the longstanding discrimination that she experienced firsthand, she created and released re-recordings of her prior albums under the label of “Taylor’s Version.” Swift’s actions set a new precedent for artists and boosted her music to the top of the charts.
Swift’s actions to take back her musical identity did not just impact her; they also had tremendous impacts on her fans. It has become an unspoken rule among Swifties that only the “Taylor’s Version” tracks can be listened to. Fans were inspired by Swift and banded together to support her and her efforts to create equality for all women.
In 2017, Swift won an ongoing legal case against ex-radio DJ David Mueller, who sued her for supposed false allegations of sexual assault in 2013. Swift countersued Mueller for $1.00, and he was ultimately found guilty four years later by a jury. In an article written by BBC News, Swift said, “My hope is to help those whose voices should also be heard.” Swift’s choice to sue Mueller for $1.00 sent a powerful message to the world that she was not doing this to benefit financially but to inspire and encourage women to stand up for themselves.
In December 2024, Swift closed out her nearly two-year-long Eras Tour. Swift’s tour became the highest-grossing of all time, with a total ticket revenue of over $2.7 billion. During the span of her 149 sold-out shows across five continents, Swift dedicated her life to inspiring females around the world. Swift’s shows became more than just her three-and-a-half-hour performance. She fostered a community of people who share a passion for feminism and empowering each other.
Kathryn Sougey, a Taylor Swift enthusiast, says she is tired of living a life subjected to men. One of Sougey’s favorite Swift lyrics comes from All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) where Swift says, “And you were tossing me the car keys, f**k the patriarchy…,” which is screamed in unison by fans during her performance.
Sougey shares her experience at the final show of the Eras Tour in Vancouver, Canada: “It brings people together, and when I went to the concert, the whole city was filled with joy, and everywhere you turned, people were wearing bracelets.”
Swift’s Eras Tour became an environment of support and compassion among fans. Swifties initiated a trend of making friendship bracelets to trade to one another at Swift’s concerts.
In September 2024, Swift made headlines by publicly endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential Election. In her Instagram post, she shared her belief in Harris’s fight for the rights and causes she believes in. Swift stands with Harris in her fight for reproductive rights, access to safe and legal abortions, gender equality, and her pledge to advance women’s rights in the US.
Swift’s extended track united women, empowering them to use their voices to advocate for change. Sougey says, “I’m disappointed that more women don’t band together to support women.” As one of the most popular and successful artists of the 21st century, Swift’s voice is giving women the courage to make themselves heard.
Taylor Swift is a global icon. She has broken numerous records in the music industry throughout her career and inspires countless fans. Swift is pursuing the path of reclaiming her name and reputation that was stolen from her by standing up for inequalities, advocating for women’s rights, and being the role model that her 14-year-old self needed.
