International Women’s Day is this Friday: March 8, 2019! Before International Women’s Day existed, National Women’s Day was first celebrated in the United States on February 28, 1909. Shortly after in 1910, several female political leaders at the International Socialist Women’s Conference suggested that an International Women’s Day be founded. They viewed the potential holiday as a way to promote suffrage and equal rights for women. While no specific date was specified at the conference, International Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time on March 11, 1911. Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark were the first countries to celebrate the new holiday. As the years went on, other countries began to celebrate. This includes Russia, England, and the United States.

While we aren’t facing the same conditions today as women were in the early 20th century, it is still important to recognize and celebrate International Women’s Day in 2019 and in the future. Why? The pay gap still exists and female victims of sexual assault are still blamed, silenced, or simply not believed. Stereotypes for women rooted in the past still exist. Women are constantly judged more harshly than men for what we look like, wear, say, and do. International Women’s Day is “a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.” This is stated on the United Nations website.

How I’m Celebrating International Women’s Day

This year for International Women’s Day, I want to celebrate by sharing with you five women that motivate me daily, whether it’s through their writing on their blogs or their Instagram stories. All five of these incredible women are based in the Midwest. I chose Midwestern gals because I wanted this post to celebrate women from my part of the United States- which is seriously underrated! These women are strong, beautiful, accomplished content creators that add so much positivity to my life. Each of them focus on health, wellness, food, weight-loss, or a combination of the four. All of them have influenced me in such a powerful way (maybe that’s why they’re called influencers lol). I hope you’ll check them out and love their content as much as I do!

1. Addie Martanovic (@chickpeainthecity)

Seriously what a ball of sunshine! Addie is a blogger from Cleveland, Ohio based in Chicago, Illinois. She posts frequently on her website, chickpeainthecity.org, about everything wellness related. She covers everything from healthy recipes, to travel guides, to her experiences with hemp oil, to yoga teacher training, to leaving her job. Addie is also a little matcha obsessed, ODESZA obsessed, and SoulCycle obsessed. Aren’t we all at this point? She’s been through a lot in 24 years. This includes disordered eating and other heavy things you’ll learn by following her. Even having gone through difficult times, the light she radiates is undeniable. Addie is dedicated to sharing her wellness tips, favorite products, and the joy she finds in the little things with all who want to read her work.

I met Addie one time at Beet Jar in Cleveland, and she truly is the same in real life as she is on her Instagram stories! Also her dad is one of the funniest humans on the planet; you can see what I mean if you look at her Instagram story highlights. Seriously this man always makes my day!

2. Lexi Reed (@fatgirlfedup)

Take one look at Lexi’s Instagram page (if you’re not already following her!) and you’ll immediately know that she’s one of the most inspiring humans on the planet. Lexi lives in Indiana with her husband, Danny Reed (@discoveringdanny). Together, they have lost a total of 407 pounds. 4-0-7! Lexi began her journey at 485 pounds. She always says that she felt trapped in her body and that she wasn’t living- she was just existing. Lexi lost 312 pounds with no special tricks. She simply learned how cook healthy meals, count calories, and use the gym as therapy.

Lexi is one of the purest and most naturally happy people that I’ve ever watched on Instagram. She’s real. Lexi made changes she realized that she needed to. She was able to lose the weight with dedication and her own power- no special diets, teas, classes, etc. This is why she is an inspiration to me and why I needed to include her on this list.

3. Aubrey Johansen (@thatswhatsheeats)

Oh Aubrey, how you inspire me. Aubrey Johansen is a food and lifestyle blogger based in Cleveland, Ohio. She shares her life post-bariatric surgery. After studying opera in college, she changed her career path and became a personal chef. Aubrey is always posting photos of her delicious, beautiful food and adorable cat and dog- Chip and Queso. Honestly, I can’t think of a cuter combination! She also shares her recipes on her website. Aubrey’s posts are always raw and transparent. Now that I think of it, she’s probably the person who I can credit the beginning of my spin class obsession to! Aubrey has also exposed me to so many amazing small businesses in Cleveland. I’m grateful for her posts every day!

4. Meg Marrone (@better_meg)

Ah, yes. Another Cleveland blogger has made my list! Who goes by Meg! Meg Marrone is the lady behind Better Meg. Little side note: her website design is adorable! She’s Meghan, a Whole 30 alum who believes that health and wellness should be accessible for everyone. Meghan is also passionate about the earth and living a zero waste lifestyle. On her Instagram, she shares her daily life, wedding planning adventures, Whole 30 recipes and more. I haven’t met her in real life yet, but she seems like such a sweet person. She is very candid and transparent, and even admits that she’s still figuring everything out. Her content always nudges me to keep moving forward.

5. Sarah (@itfinallyclicked)

Sarah is similar to Lexi Reed in that she started losing weight with her spouse. She lives in Minnesota with her wife. Sarah started her weight loss journey at 404 pounds. She has lost 205 pounds since October 2016 by counting calories and exercising all on her own. No gimmicks here! Sarah’s pictures say it all. She posts transformation photos of her and her wife, healthy and simple recipes, workouts, thoughts on intuitive eating, non-scale victories, and other significant parts of her life. Like all the other women I have mentioned here, Sarah is incredibly positive. She reminds her followers that her weight loss wasn’t easy, but she also emphasizes that someone’s weight loss does not equal their worth.

 

Who are some of the women that inspire you most? Let me know down below! Thank you so much for reading.

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