by Annie Scudder
What does a modern-day feminist look like? A chart-topping, media-dominating pop star mom who happens to be good friends with America's first family and married to a hip-hop mogul. In other words, Beyoncé, who recently told British Vogue, "I guess I am a modern-day feminist," adding, "I do believe in equality."
While Beyoncé also explained she believes the term "feminist" can be "extreme" and that she's not a big fan of labels, other famous women have been more unabashed about declaring themselves feminists. Zooey Deschanel surprised us with her cover interview for Glamour's February issue. The doe-eyed New Girl star said, "We can't be feminine and be feminists and be successful? I want to be a f*cking feminist and wear a f*cking Peter Pan collar. So f*cking what?"
Keira Knightley also recently used the F word — feminism, that is — in an interview. "I remember doing interviews, and people would ask, as if it was a joke, 'So you mean you are a feminist?'" Keira, 28, recounted to Vogue. "As though feminism couldn't be discussed unless we were making fun of it. I don't want to deny my femininity," she continued, "but would I want to be a stay-at-home mother? No. On the other hand, you should be allowed to do that, as should men, without being sneered at." Keira's statements provide a solid manifesto for modern feminism.
Not all of Beyoncé, Keira, and Zooey's celebrity peers are so eager to call themselves feminists. Lady Gaga infamously said awhile back, "I'm not a feminist. I hail men; I love men," as if loving men and advocating political, social, and economic equality for women were mutually exclusive. But famous feminists do have some company. Read through for quotes from famous women who are proud feminists.