Meena Harris.Photo: Meena Harris/Instagram
WhenMeena Harrislaunched thePhenomenal Woman Action Campaignin 2016, her goal was to simply raise money for women’s organizations after the presidential election. She had no idea the company would turn into a booming, celeb-endorsed lifestyle brand that brings awareness to culture, causes, and issues affecting underrepresented communities through buzzy initiatives and viral graphic tees.
“It was just me kind of doing my part wanting to raise money for women’s organizations through this little T-shirt coming out in the 2016 election,” Harris, who released a children’s book entitledAmbitious Girlon Jan. 19, tells PEOPLE of Phenomenal Woman.
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It far exceeded the Harvard Law grad’s exceptions, selling 2,500 T-shirts on launch day alone, but Harris admits, “there were definitely pitfalls and challenges” along the way. Mainly figuring out how to turn amomentinto amovementand “building [Phenomenal Woman] into something that I never intended to build it into” Harris explains.
Before long, everyone fromKerry WashingtonandOctavia Spencer,toJessica AlbaandLizzojumped on board with the concept and began supporting Phenomenal Woman on social media.
“I think some of the biggest lessons are really just the power of community, of partnership in realizing that all of us — not just Phenomenal or other big platforms — have the opportunity to amplify the work of others and support that work,” the mother of two and niece ofVice President Kamala Harrissays.
She continues: “That is something that’s sort of available to all of us. I think we’ve seen lots of people really start to activate around that, especially again in this moment with the pandemic and theBlack Lives Matterprotests…recognize the work that’s happening and we can all support it.”
Kerry Washington, Octavia Spencer, Storm Reid and Mya.Instagram
“A statement T-shirt can seem so small and insignificant, especially compared to the enormity of the social change that’s happening before our eyes,” Harris said. “But there is substance and meaning behind it. And the most basic meaning is people proclaiming to the world that they are worthy, deserving of dignity and proud. When we are talking about things like systemic racism and systematic oppression of underrepresented communities, it’s a reminder that the world needs to see and hear over and over until there is full accountability, equality, and justice for all, not just a privileged few.”
source: people.com
