Inspired Stories: Kahlo and Wells
At Audax, we celebrate the bold, bossy, badass women who have shaped our souls. These two women of influence left an imprint on this world that reverberates to this day.
Our first spotlight is on the courageous and fierce Frida Kahlo.
Formidable artist and trailblazing feminist, Frida Kahlo, was a masterpiece of her own. Molded through trials of poor health, and a horrible accident that left her bedridden in a full body cast for months, it was during this time she began painting to cope with the pain. Life literally became art for Kahlo, drawing on personal experiences with portrayals of pain. While most hid their disability due to negative stigmas, Kahlo illustrated hers in her art.
Her paintings also touched on women’s rights issues that were strictly taboo such as abortion, breastfeeding, miscarriage and more.
Outside of her work, her personal life (specifically her love life) also broke social norms as she had relationships with both men and women. She has made a lasting impact on the LGBTQ artistic community. Long after she passed, her art was rediscovered in the 90’s by art historians, and she continues to be celebrated for her uncompromising depiction of the female experience.
Our other featured and unequivocally inspirational woman is Ms. Ida B. Wells. Journalist, Feminist, Abolitionist - Wells is one of the unsung heroines of the Civil Rights Movement.
By age 25 she was the co-owner and editor of a local black newspaper. After three of her friends were lynched in what was known as The People’s Grocery Lynching, Wells denounced it in print and went on to lead an anti-lynching crusade. After relocating to Chicago at age 32, she worked tirelessly to advance the cause of black equality. Wells established the first black kindergarten, organized black women, helped elect the city's first black alderman, along with many more achievements.
The work she did paved the way for generations of black politicians, activists, and community leaders.
