Dr. Taylor Alison Swift

Dr. Taylor Alison Swift set the stage for her own success from a young age. She came on the scene when I was in my moody prime and I grew up with her over the years as she solidified herself as one of the most influential artists of my generation not only through her music but through her ability to persuade communities of individuals to advocate for empowerment and inclusivity, including my desire to be a beacon of change. From the beginning Swift’s pursuit was never about just herself. She took on the traits to challenge societal norms through the resilience she created for herself because of the treatment she received from the world. A world that doubted her, a world that shamed her. A world that made every effort to push a woman with a voice out. It was with Swift’s lyricism and ability to resonate with millions like myself through her words that creates an experience for people that keeps them captivated. Taylor Swift has always been an advocate for women. From the very beginning she used her platform to speak on what it was like growing up as a woman and the pressure women face in today’s society. As she grew so did her understanding of the feminine dynamic in a predominantly male world. She used this understanding to speak out on the sexism she was experiencing in the industry and what most were experiencing in everyday life. The scrutiny she faced, as do so many women, led her to point out the double standard women face throughout society. There was this unwritten bias against women, especially strong, successful women. Her empowerment led her to highlight not only the barriers she faced but all the barriers so many women were facing just by achieving great things.  Her commitment to uplift women not only used her platform for good but promoted things such as the Me Too movement and Times’s up. Women were encouraged to speak about their experiences as she did in her lyrics to explain the hardships we were all under as women. 

Her contributions have extended beyond her voice through her advocacy for communities of marginalized people. Through her activism for the LGBTQ community by vocalizing her disdain for homophobia and her drive for social justice we’ve seen her reach groups of individuals seeking to have their voices heard. She not only sang about these issues but made efforts to initiate true change by vocalizing support for same-sex marriage, advocating and speaking against bills that could alter the LGBTQ communities such as Tennessee’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill and even used her social media platform to encourage young voters to take action and register to vote to enact real change. Her support goes beyond just donations as she has amplified voices in a community that needed representation. As an LGBTQ+ woman, I applaud her desire to seek the change she wants to see. This not only benefits myself but so many others who seek to just be themselves. 

By Swift uplifting women and LGBTQ+ community we are seeing the impact she has on such marginalized communities and her advocacy did not stop there. When racial inequality took its turn in the media she took a Swift stance and donated to the cause to end systematic racism and police brutality. Her support for the black community did not stop at her funds but rather carried through her social media and practice to ensure there was a commitment to equality for marginalized groups of people. She not only endorsed the first potential Female Black President but she created the largest voting registration pushed for the election to encourage everyone to be a voice in the change. 

Her impact stretches beyond her music. She is a symbol of empowerment for women, the LGBTQ+ community and marginalized groups of individuals. She uses her platform to challenge the societal norms so many of us are faced with while bringing awareness on a platform magnitude many cannot understand. In her NYU speech to the graduating class of 2022 upon receiving her honorary doctorate she stated, “We are each a patchwork quilt of those who have loved us, those who have believed in our futures, those who showed us empathy and kindness or told us the truth even when it wasn’t easy to hear.” This statement embraces the reality of our society. We are all patches that make up a quilt, each providing a different perspective and look. It is with all of us that we are able to create a more inclusive community. Taylor Swift has shown that one voice can alter history but it is all of our voices that are needed to change the world.