Why We Need More Glorious Women Like Madonna
In a time when we’re still seeing women struggle for their rights the world over, this writer thinks we are blessed to have one icon who uses her platform to speak about the revolutionary acts that we can and should be doing to combat this: Madonna. But even saying the performer’s name in 2017 can polarise the audience – including the female audience – and I’m continually baffled by the negativity that now seems to come along with being Madonna. She was always a symbol of rebellion, the underdog; a woman who, through music and her art was intent on changing the status quo for what it meant to be a woman. In her view, anything was possible with the right attitude and determination – she came to New York with nothing more than a few dollars in her pocket determined to her her ambitions fulfilled – and her lyrics acted as a social commentary for how things should be challenged. She was a voice for so many who couldn’t be heard and she knew people would despise her for that; for saying “no way am I taking this because you say I should.” Why would you accept the basic in life when you can and could have the best of everything?
That’s the empowering premise of Madonna.
You, yourself are the woman who can make this happen. Regardless of age, regardless of anything else, you can stand up and demand the best. That was what Madonna always stood for. She still does. Over three decades into a career which has seen her become the highest-grossing female touring artist of all time, she still demands the best of everything life has to offer. And this is the problem as may see it; this is why she is vilified. Is it because she’s a woman approaching 60, still relevant in an ageist industry that favours 20-year-olds still demanding the best? Yes is the short answer. Because there’s always one rule for men and another for women.
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Feinstein’s/54 Below, Broadway’s Supper Club, presents the acclaimed Australian theater and concert artist 
