Taylor Swift Stepped Out and Shined Brightest in 2014

Taylor Swift owned 2014, with her epic Red tour coming to an end and her devastatingly amazing 1989 becoming the soundtrack on everyone’s radios, in headphones, and at parties. Though she has created mass hysteria across the airwaves and social media with her catchy tunes and lovable dorky personality, Swift more than anything this year asserted herself and exploded onto the pop scene with fierce determination.

She has been featured on numerous magazine covers and has truly made the world her oyster. After reading an article in the November issue of UK Vogue that featured her on the cover, I had developed a mad amount of respect for the young women on the brink of 25. She spoke in brutal honesty, but had this elegant, warm and confident demeanor throughout the interview. I remember at one point reading “dating or finding someone is the last thing on my mind, because I can’t picture how it could work with the way my life is.” It was invigorating to finally see her coming to terms with her life and it was motivational to me as a young women on the cusp of 25 and feeling rather lost in terms of friendship, relationships and jobs. I admired her earnestness and feel like many people are finally starting to appreciate Taylor for Taylor.

When 1989 dropped it spoke volumes to where Swift was at in her life and was her most relatable album to date. My roommate and I spent countless nights with the CD (yes, they still make those charming little compact discs) playing on repeat over and over again, dancing in the living room and belting out these creatively addictive tunes. It was like hearing all of my twenties on one album and finding a long lost friend. The album left me feeling surprisingly calm through synthesized pop beats, but also gave me the insatiable urge to dance my heart out. I applaud Swift on creating something so perfect, it changed my view on pop music today.

Not only has she given my roommate and I something to bond over, but she has inspired numerous artist to be innovative with her tunes. Swift has an astounding talent for songwriting; one that many will never match, and it is wonderful to see so many people singing, dancing, and mixing her music. One example that recently has splashed onto the social media scene is the acoustic cover by Louisa Wendorff and Devin Dawson, who have created a superb mash up of “Blank Space” and “Style.” It is beautiful and I command everyone check it out, now, if you can of course. Swift has paved the way for aspiring artists and musicians, which makes her a true artist.

Lastly a video came out within the new year that truly expresses the love and appreciation Swift not only has for life, but her fans. MTV news reported that Swift created an “End of the Year” video that showed her showering fans with gifts and beautifully personal handwritten notes. The video is heartwarming and sincere, as it features Taylor becoming Santa Claus and wrapping boxes with delightfully bright and cheery wrapping paper. It also features fans opening these gifts and sharing extreme appreciation for a musician that has become an inspiration in their lives. It is a video filled with profound joy and can bring a tear to even Scrooge himself.

So, Taylor, thank you for being a constant reminder in my life to chase after your dreams and make the world your oyster. Your album will continue to shape not only my life, but millions of others in the world. You should be proud of the impact you are having. Please, continue to be you, and my roommate and I will continue to spend evenings dancing to the genius you have named 1989.

They Have, and Will, Leave Their Mark (Four Unstoppable Women)

1. Alice Paul

This woman led the crusade through the early 1900s for women to get the right to vote. Her methods were considered uncouth, unladylike, and treasonous as she often picketed Woodrow Wilson during the first World War. People, like Carrie Chapman Catt, were not her number one supporters because they believed her reckless ways were never going to get that infamous 20th amendment passed. Paul picketed, protested, and was arrested and sentenced to Occoquan Workhouse several times where she started hunger strikes (a practice she learned in England) and was force fed raw eggs. I admire her passion. There wasn’t much Paul would not do to guarantee women the right to vote and for that all women today should be thankful for all she sacrificed.

2. Jane Wilde Hawking

I am currently reading Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen and must applaud Jane’s incredible strong will, yet tenderness in her caring for Stephen Hawking. Stephen was often times brash, commanding, and aloof to Jane’s sacrifices she made for her husband and family. She was fully dedicated to her husband and was willing to give up many things to guarantee that he had the most fulfilling life that one with ALS could have. She accompanied dinners, flew overseas, and helped him to school by offering up her arm as a crutch. She devoted a majority of her life to him and her love was unwavering, despite development of feelings for her choir master. She truly was Stephen’s rock and her determination and will is something all women should admire.

3. Michelle Obama

Not only is she one of the most fashionably dressed First Lady’s of the United States since Jackie Kennedy, she is a powerhouse. Like her husband, she has experience with community organizing and making things happen. Her crusades currently include spreading awareness of healthy eating, especially for children, to help combat the ever growing epidemic of obesity in this county. She is intelligent, eloquent, motivational, and a complete American icon, what more could we ask for?

4. Beyonce Knowles-Carter

Dear Beyonce, my name is Kelsey, and I consider you to be my idol in all things life. She sings, dances, and is the fiercest woman to ever grace this planet we call Earth. She wakes up flawless, has no problem belting out power chords about love, life, and relationships. She is also one of the strongest, most loving mother’s to ever grace our television screens. She is always glamorous and always seems to be enjoying life to the fullest extent. She is the definition of a strong women by continuing to defy odds in hip-hop world and becoming a reason for all women to belt out amazing songs to their heart’s content. I love her and hope that the world respects her as much as I do.