Update, 6/4: In a new essay for Time magazine, Miss Piggy herself explains why she identifies as a feminist, on the day she received the Sackler Center First Award from the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum.
"I believe that any woman who refuses to accept society's pre-conceived notions of who or what they can be is a feminist," Piggy wrote. "I believe any woman who is willing to struggle, strive—and if necessary learn karate—to make their mark in the world is a feminist. And, yes, I believe that any woman, who cares about her appearance, her star billing, and most especially her percentage of the gross, is a feminist."
And in, perhaps our favorite part of the essay, she quiets the naysayers:
And yes, it is true that I am a Porcine-American. How can a…ahem, pig…be a feminist? After all, the 'P' word—has long been associated with the very antithesis of feminists 'male chauvinist.' This, alas, is a vestige of latent 'species-ism.' Sure, there are male chauvinist pigs, but there are also male chauvinist humans and, on very rare occasions and at their own peril, male chauvinist amphibians. Let us not besmirch an entire species because of the sins of a few."
Two points here: 1) LOL 2) Amen, sista. Amen.
Original post, 4/29: This year, the Brooklyn Museum's Sackler Center First Award will go to a former Vogue Paris editrix, television correspondent, fashion icon, and actress. She is also a felt effigy.
The AP reports Miss Piggy, whom the Daily Beast once named "the Gloria Steinem of the Muppet World," will receive the honor in a ceremony June 4, during which Gloria Steinem Original Recipe will interview her about such achievements as portraying Wonder Woman, upstaging Dolly Parton, and karate-chopping WWE wrestler Hornswoggle.
Award namesake Elizabeth Sackler said the outspoken positive-body-image activist (see below) embodies "spirit, determination, and grit" and has taught millions about overcoming obstacles. (FYI, as Miss P. once told the New York Times, she grew up without a father in small-town Iowa, entered beauty contests as a way out, etc.)
Previous recipients of the award include Toni Morrison, Sandra Day O'Connor, Anita Hill, and Julie Taymor. So, you know, same level.
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