Hey everyone! This is the final episode of #TheFutureIsFemale – thank you to everyone thats taken part, it has been such a beautiful experience getting to know you better and your views on this topic! To everyone that’s engaged in the interviews, thank you too! I hope it’s been an insightful two weeks!
Savannah is one of my longest time friends with the most caring, pure heart. From a young age, she’s always focused on breeding positivity and I’ve watched her grow in to such a beautiful young woman. She’s going so far in life, honestly, and I’m so happy to have her taking part in this!
(LJS) Hey girl! Thank you for taking part in this!
(SD) Hey Laila! I’m so happy to!
(LJS) What does being a 21st century woman mean to you?
(SD) To me, being a 21st century woman is about truly embracing who you are, wholeheartedly and unapologetically. I try to live in the present moment, remain grateful for the past and those who have paved a way for me, and leave the world a better place because I have lived, for the people of the future. I’ve always enjoyed learning about people and the different things that make us feel good. I love having conversations with those who may choose to live their life differently to me, because I love the fact that there is no singular, “one size fits all” way to define being a woman. At some point I felt as if I had to pick a label to describe myself and wear it like a badge for the rest of life, until I decided that I could be whatever I wanted at anytime and change like the wind because I am human. I have the freedom to sing and dance and jump and cry and laugh and love and be strong or feel hurt or vulnerable and everything in between. I own it all. I learn, grow, evolve.
(LJS) That’s so beautiful. What barriers have you faced as a woman today?
(SD) Sometimes it just feels hard to be heard. I always say that I don’t like having to shout to be heard and it does feel that way sometimes. It’s being undermined that I can’t stand and I have definitely felt that as a woman in the music industry, but I choose to live unapologetically anyway, I refuse to let anybody stop me. I have come to understand that ultimately I can’t change anybody, that’s a personal journey, but I can live by example. People will make you feel as if, as a woman, you have to prove yourself to them, but you don’t, you just have to choose to only put yourself in spaces where respect is mutual.
(LJS) Do you recognize yourself as a feminist? If so, what type of feminist are you?
(SD) I would definitely call myself a feminist, because I believe in the equality of women and men, specially an intersectional feminist. I think it’s important to recognize that there are many layers to the way games are played today. Because I am a woman, and that is one thing, but I am black, and that is another thing. I have been treated unfairly because I am a woman, but I have also been treated unfairly because I am a black woman, specifically. Intersectional feminism is for everybody. Above all, I am spirit, beyond my physical body, and that’s what matters the most; living and loving wholeheartedly.
(LJS) Exactly, Intersectional Feminism is key for women. When did you recognize the fact that gender inequality exists?
(SD) I never felt it growing up. My big brother and I would play football together and he’d teach me about Pokemon and then I’d go upstairs and sing to my little teddy bears. I grew up listening to Destiny’s Child and I felt strong, beautiful and empowered . I started to feel it at the age of around 14, when I stared perusing music seriously, sitting in meetings with middle aged men who would tell me their vision of me, what they felt like I should wear, say, sing. It was weird, it was like they automatically assumed control.
(LJS) When you’re faced with barriers because of your gender, how do you overcome them?
(SD) I follow my heart. I do what I believe is right. I worked as a waitress once. The men who were chefs thought they had power and were superior, because they were men. They continued to harass me and when I raised a point to the manager it got worse. The manager, who was also a woman, refused to fire them, and I was not about to roll over and stay somewhere where I was not respected and treated as an equal and so I left. It hurt me that this had been going on with other girls but they were too scared to talk about it, so I followed my heart and did what i believed was right.
(LJS) That’s so horrible. I’m glad that you didn’t keep quiet about it. What is your greatest achievement so far?
(SD) Honestly Laila, something had to be said. My perseverance makes me proud. It’s really easy sometimes to allow life to kick you down, and it has on a number of occasions, but I’ve got back up again, no matter how hard it was. I’m really proud of my song, “Naked”, it was a fearless moment for me. I put so much heart and soul and effort into it and it was always have a special place in my heart.
(LJS) Naked is such a beautiful song, I’m so so proud of you! What does the future is female mean to you?
(SD) Thanks babe! Women birth the nation. Women and men both play a huge role in making this world go round. But for years, women have been unappreciated, and often not respected, and it is time for that. There is a certain undeniable strength in women that cannot be explained. We have always risen above whatever unfortunate situation we have been placed in, and we will continue to thrive, rise create our own opportunities, celebrate ourselves and each other and love fearlessly!!
(LJS) I couldn’t have said it better! Thank you so much once again!
(SD) Thank you for such beautiful questions!
Savannah is a twenty-year-old singer and songwriter, aspiring to become a force within the music industry. She is dedicated to promoting self love and happiness, guiding people to explore the beauty of the world that we live in. Not only is she passionate about music and positivity, she is also passionate about women’s rights, believing that we all deserve the best in life.
lailajs.com 
Wish I could date her.
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