Every Monday, Culturess chooses one woman in pop culture to be our Woman of the Week. These women inspire and empower us to kick ass, take names, fight the good fight, and live our best lives. Today, our Woman of the Week is Lena Dunham!
Hi. My name is Emily and I am an unapologetic, unequivocal lover of Lena Dunham. I realize she’s a controversial figure. I acknowledge and agree with some of the criticism of her work. I still adore the woman and everything she makes. And I will tell you why in this article. But no matter what you think of her, you can’t deny that she has changed the landscape of television and representation of women. Or, I guess you could deny it. But you’d be wrong.
After her movie Tiny Furniture became a huge indie success, winning Best Narrative Feature at South by Southwest, Dunham inked a deal with HBO. When she was 23. No big deal. That show would eventually become Girls, the groundbreaking show with 2 Golden Globes for Best Comedy Series. Dunham won one herself, for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.
Episode 53 (season 6, episode 1), debut 2/12/17: Lena Dunham.
photo: Mark Schafer
The show is about four girls who grow into women throughout its 5 seasons so far (its 6th premiered yesterday). And it was revolutionary. The women of Girls are unabashedly sexual in a way that hasn’t really been seen on screen before, not even in Sex and the City. They have bodies that do not conform to the Hollywood ideal, and the show celebrates that. And they are well rounded, fully realized human beings. Most of the shows I have ever watched can hardly fit two women on screen at a time. Girls is about four of them, who grow and change, in their relationships to each other and to themselves.
And, here’s my personal tiny love letter to Lena Dunham; I wouldn’t be a writer or a filmmaker without her. The first time I saw Girls was the first time I saw a woman who looked like me, who had a body like mine, in a lead role. It was the first time I saw a show entirely created by its female star. And it was the first time I ever thought about doing it myself. It was the first time I ever imagined I could. And I would bet that there are scores of young, female filmmakers out there who have the same story.
Of course, Girls caused its own, totally warranted controversy with its lack of racial diversity. And that was just the start of a never-ending barrage of criticism for Dunham. But here is what I don’t get about Lena Dunham hate: she is one of the only celebrities that I ever see owning up to her mistakes. When faced with criticism, in almost every instance, Dunham thinks critically about that criticism and why it’s being levied at her. Then she apologizes, describing how she now understands that criticism. And then, she makes concerted efforts to improve in that regard.
For example, Dunham was, of course, hit with major criticism about the lack of racial diversity on her show. She herself has said that it was completely valid and necessary criticism, and that she understands now why it’s important. And if you look at the work she’s making now, you will see how much she takes intersectionality into account. Her podcast Women of the Hour often features voices of color describing their experiences. Like when blogger Nadia Hadid gave dating tips for Muslim women on one episode. Or the episode that centered entirely on an interview with Geneva Reed-Veal, the mother of Sandra Bland. Similarly, Lenny Letter, the newsletter that Dunham produces with Jenni Konner, centers women of color in almost every issue.
So, say what you want about Lena Dunham. Just don’t say it around me. Because, for my money, she is one of the most inspiring, talented artists working today. Between Girls, Women of the Hour, Lenny Letter, her book Not That Kind Of Girl which I didn’t even get to, and her new production company Casual Romance Productions, she is one of the most hardworking people in the industry. And on top of all of that, she uses her platform to promote awareness of reproductive rights, anxiety and depression, chronic illness (she has endometriosis), and intersectionality.
She faces more criticism than virtually any other artist, but instead of ignoring it or breaking under that weight, she listens. More than anything, she is opening the door for other women to tell their stories. Through writing, filmmaking, acting, whatever they choose. No young woman like me will have to wonder if she can do it ever again. Whatever ‘it’ is, Lena Dunham shows her she can.
Thank you so much, Lena Dunham, for everything!
This week, be like Lena. Work hard, change for the better, and don’t let society’s expectations stop you from getting what you want.
Next: Watch The Girls Season 6 Premiere Online
You can find Lena Dunham’s work here:
Girls: Watch Girls on HBO Sunday nights, or go to HBO Go and binge.
Not That Kind Of Girl: Lena Dunham’s first book is on Amazon and in other bookstores.
Lenny Letter: Sign up for Lena Dunham’s feminist newsletter on the Lenny Letter website.
Women of the Hour: Check out Lena Dunham’s podcast on iTunes or wherever else you get your podcasts.