The story behind this “New Yorker” cover is SO awesome and dripping with girl power
Last month, millions of women took to the streets as a part of the Women’s March, and we were so inspired. This month, one of the most highly-revered magazines in the country created an issue in tribute of that epic day. The New Yorker released a Women’s March issue, and the cover has a super inspiring story behind it.
The cover art was created by Abigail Gray Swartz, a fine artist from Maine. She marched in the Women’s March in Alberta, and her work was inspired by her experience. She sent her piece into The New Yorker, mostly for fun. She wasn’t expecting to hear anything.
But before she knew it, The New Yorker had contacted her about wanting to use her art for the cover.
This awesome portrait is reminiscent of Rosie the Riveter, but updated for a modern audience. Unlike the original Rosie, Abigail’s portrait features a woman of color, and we love it. We also noticed that she’s wearing the pink “pussy hat” that became famous during the Women’s March.
Abigail told the Huffington Post that this week has been a whirlwind, and having her art on the cover of The New Yorker is a “dream come true.”
Abigail explained how she landed on the Rosie the Riveter imagery for her artwork.
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She said, “It felt reminiscent of World War II when women rationed silk stockings in order to have enough material for the soldiers’ parachutes. How women knit for the soldiers and filled in at the factories while the men were away at war. Just like how we are reclaiming the word “pussy,” the hat is also a symbol of our history in our country ― we are knitting something for the new “war effort” to fight for our rights as women. We are knitting for ourselves.”
And we love to see her celebrating the “pussy hats” from the march.
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In explaining why she loves the pussy hats, Abigail explained, "The act of making the symbol brought unity to the event even before it began. Therefore, I knew that the hat would be a symbol of the woman’s movement."
We agree. Plus, we love how adorable they are. And the pink color makes them feel unabashedly female, which is even more empowering.
Show solidarity and unity by continuing to wear your pussyhat. Use it as your #safetypin. I am & have had great response! @PussyhatProject pic.twitter.com/aAvUefGM7B
— Women Everywhere (@WhyIMarch) January 23, 2017
And one of the most inspirational aspects of Abigail’s work is the intersectionality of her piece. Abigail said, “And, if we are going to get anywhere as a movement we must be united and that also means accepting all forms of feminism. It’s like what Maya Angelou said about the women’s movement, ‘The sadness of the women’s movement is that they don’t allow the necessity of love. See, I don’t personally trust any revolution where love is not allowed.’ That, to me, means inclusion and allowing for a variety of definitions of feminism.”
That’s so incredible, and we feel so inspired. We love hearing stories like Abigail’s, of women’s passion and talent getting the attention it deserves. We will definitely be checking out this week’s New Yorker to read more of their coverage on the Women’s March and to see Abigail’s cover in real life.
