International Women's Day is the ultimate #WCW, celebrating the social and cultural impact that women make around the world. But it's not just about honoring women on a global stage. Look around San Francisco, and you'll see plenty of women who are inspiring others to lead better lives. Below, find 25 local women who should be on your radar.
Heather Day is a visual storyteller, whose talent is conveying moments of interactions. She works primarily with paint and non-traditional materials, and is known for her murals. Photo: Lauren Midori
San Francisco based designer and illustrator Jayde Fish takes inspiration from fashion, textiles, nature, and vintage children's books. Jayde's drawings were recently featured on clothing for Gucci's SS 2017 runway show, after the celebrated creative director Alessandro Michele discovered her work on Instagram.
If you've been to, well, any event ever in the Bay Area, you've spotted pixie-haired Moanalani Jeffrey snapping the crowds through her camera. Before photography, she studied fashion design, so it's no wonder she always looks flawless. Photo: Marika Stuurman for Agency Moanalani Jeffrey
If the name Gabrielle Lurie sounds familiar, maybe that's because you read in a photo credit in The Wall Street Journal, or in The Atlantic, or on the front page of The New York Times. Now a staff photographer for the San Francisco Chronicle, Gabrielle is absolutely fearless when it comes to getting her shot.
You've seen Aubrie's work on Apartment 34, and in countless Freda Salvador campaigns, and—oh, yeah!—Chrissy Tiegen's cookbook. Pick is an absolute master at capturing (or creating?) the dreamiest light in her images.
Perhaps Caroline Rooney Serrano is a pro behind the camera because she's spent so many years in front of one. The model-turned-creative has styled photoshoots for brands like Public Bikes and publications like The Chronicle. Photo: Gabrielle Lurie
Ash Rose Conway wins the multi-hyphenate contest as a freelance cocktail recipe developer, stylist, photographer, and writer. Her Instagram is beautiful, but dangerous— she'll have you craving a cocktail before lunchtime.
An S.F.-based journalist by way of NYC, Katie noticed a hole in the market for a full-service, style-leaning parenting site after she had her first child. After meeting James Kicinski-McCoy, the two began brainstorming the idea that would later become Mother magazine.
Angela Tafoya made the jump from Refinery29 to decor and lifestyle magazine Lonny, and the rest is effortlessly stylish history. Follow her on Instagram for design tips and cool-mom dressing inspo. Photo: Maria del Rio
Carlina Harris's talent lies in taking seemingly disparate pieces—like a lace jumpsuit and a menswear-inspired coat—and pulling them together in a way that looks cool. Plus, she's stunning and an absolutely lovely person to boot. Photo: Melissa de Mata
Kat is more than a blogger; she's a personality. She has a slightly-self-deprecating sense of humor, she's not afraid to take risks, and she's rarely without her sidekick pooch, Benji. She's also really good about sharing when and where she finds major fashion pieces, (like YSL booties), on sale.
Erin Hiemstra makes everything look easy. She's confident, gracious, and she has a warm smile and killer style. Much of her blog, Apartment 34, is centered on home decor and living, but she also offers great beauty tips and style roundups in a way that feels natural. Photo: Emily Scott
Stylenik's Kristen Philipkoski is wholly, utterly, honestly herself. KP—as she's known—was rocking 70s style way before it was everywhere. She's transparent about obstacles, plus she's kind, supportive, and encouraging. Her style isn't for everyone, but that's why it's fun to follow her. No matter what she wears, it's always interesting. Photo: Elena Zhukova
Tina Phan is hilarious. Want proof? Read her real life tale about auditioning for a soda PSA and hoping to work her way up to a Monistat commercial. If you're more into pretty clothes than witty comments, you can still enjoy her blog, Phashionable, where her sense of humor is accompanied by bold style choices.
Chelsea Moylan launched Anomie as a place to find independent or emerging designers and artists. Most of the items she carries are "hand-made, hand-crafted, hand-poured, hand-printed... hand-something-ed." Her Union Street shop is a reminder that it's important to support smart women in small business.
When former Vogue fashion news editor Emily Holt set up her concept store in the Tenderloin, she accomplished a feat most thought impossible: she popularized traveling to the Tenderloin. San Francisco's buzzy stores often cater strictly to the affluent, but Hero Shop has thoughtful pieces at lower price points, casually intermingled with the pricey finds. It's a store and vibe that every shopper can enjoy.
Theresa Lee is thoughtful, soft-spoken, and one of the hardest workers you'll ever meet. Even though her Rockwell collection of ring-handled bags is in high demand, Theresa is still knee-deep in details like hand-painting and stitching with the sewers in her Dogpatch workshop. Photo: David Leong
When you slip into new Freda Salvador shoes, you realize that you don't have to "break in" beautiful footwear. You might even decide that you won't settle for anything less than day one walkability. Consider the marriage of comfort and style Cristina Palomo-Nelson and Megan Papay's gift to women around the world.
Meet Meghan Kanodia, and you'll probably think, "I want to dress like her." Thanks to her Svelte Metals jewelry line, you can at least share the same accessories. Much like Daniel Wellington watches, Meghan's rings and cuffs are frequently featured on blogger's hands in San Francisco and beyond. Photo: Gabrielle Lurie
When Cocokind founder Priscilla Tsai pitched me a story about her skincare line three years ago, you could only buy it online and in a handful of stores. Now—thanks to this girl boss's serious hustle—her products are available in hundreds of Bay Area stores, like Rainbow Grocery, Berkeley Bowl, Whole Foods, Bed Bath and Beyond, Mollie Stone's, and more.
Heather Anderson refers to herself as a "nugget", but she's got super-sized sass. The petite SoulCycle instructor reminds her (really) sweaty clients at the end of each class that "Strong people empower other people", and she's proof that it's more than a mantra. Photo: Mark Kuroda
Aside from the insane yoga poses, and the training tips, and the PhD in public health, and all the sponsored partnerships, Shauna is an honest, vocal advocate for body positivity. If you're not currently one of her 80,000+ Instagram followers, you should be. Photo: Steven David Lim
Caroline Jordan is a big believer in positivity training, visions boards, and a lot of other motivational practices that I would have dismissed before I met Caroline Jordan. Her Equinox classes will whip you into shape, but her positive coaching will change your life.
Shannon Boughn has some kind of Jedi mind powers when it comes to coaching. She pushes you to push yourself, and you don't even realize that it's happening. The result? You finish classes faster and stronger than you thought possible. In Shannon's world, you don't actually have to believe in yourself because she has enough willpower to carry you across the finish line with her.