Even though Thanksgiving occurs so late in the month this year, we’ve spent some time reflecting on the things for which we’re most grateful. (And this is now an annual tradition for the blog—click here if you want to see last year’s list!)

Lauren’s list

The Baltimore Museum of Art

In 2020, the Baltimore Museum of Art will buy only works of art created by people who identify as female. According to an NPR story, the BMA is committing to profoundly changing the pipeline for female artists. At present, only 4% of the museum’s current collection is by women artists and the institution wants to shift that balance. Director Christopher Bedford says, “To rectify centuries of imbalance, you have to do something radical.” The newly purchased pieces will be displayed in a series of 22 exhibitions through next year. I am going to start planning my road trip to Baltimore and hope to see many more organizations follow suit.

Male Allies

I spent the last week at an academic conference, which could have been a hotbed of toxic masculinity. Instead, a number of my male friends and colleagues vigilantly called out gendered language, amplified the work of women, and highlighted data gaps that disadvantage women. They make me feel safe and give me hope. I’m grateful.

Amy

She didn’t know I was going to do this, but I’m going to gush about my best friend and business partner for a moment. Amy is the epitome of someone who is there—who is eminently present for her friend and the people she makes her family. I’m lucky to be one of them. I’m extremely lucky to do life, friendship, scholarship, and business with her. The world is a better place with her in it.

Amy’s List

Remarkable Women Friends

Don’t get me wrong, I have great guy friends. But my life has been so impacted by the remarkable, smart, capable, and kind women that I am blessed to have in my life. They challenge me, teaching me regularly about how to be a better friend, a more supportive and rigorous teacher, and a less anxious person. They are the voices in my head, cheering me on, advising me as I go, believing in me even in times that I find it challenging to believe in myself. It is a genuine privilege to watch them be scholars, teachers, mothers, world explorers, authors, wives, and friends. Thank you to my chain of women. And special thanks to my amazing friends Lauren and Abby, without whom this blog would not exist. I hope you know how much I value you, each and every day.

Ronan Farrow, Jodi Kantor, and Megan Twohey

Though I haven’t had a chance to review their books in the blog yet, the work that these journalists did in the last few years to uncover the sexual misconduct and attempted cover-up around Harvey Weinstein is truly remarkable. They have given a voice to so many women who thought that they would never have one and did so with grace, kindness, and tenacity. It is because of people like these that women still come forward and I am in awe of the good that you have done. If you haven’t yet read Catch and Kill or She Said, you should really get on that. You will be glad you did.

-Amy and Lauren