OPINION: The F word was used loudly and proudly by women in the 1970s.
Feminism was a call to arms. A long overdue push for equality, opportunity, and a fair go — things a country like Australia held onto as part of our national fabric but were denied more than half the population.
Helen Reddy's I Am Woman became an anthem. "If I have to, I can do anything" women belted out as they sang along.
Some progress was made, positive change started to happen — even though many of the barriers feminists of the 1970s rallied against remain. Equal pay. Access to affordable childcare. The battle on many fronts continues.
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But for a lot of women of more recent generations, the F word went out of fashion. They didn't want to be called feminists, even though many were benefiting from the hard yards feminists of the 70s and 80s had put in.
Many weren't ungrateful — they just didn't think the labels of former generations applied.
For some women of THIS generation there's a new F word. Fearless.
They're no longer willing to wait for the promises of change on its way. They've seen their Mothers and Grandmothers wait long enough, and they're saying no more. They're forcing change, and the Grace Tames, Brittany Higgins and Saxon Mullins of the world are shaking things up.
They're fearless — and they don't care who they offend or get offside in the process.
Grace Tame has used her national platform as Australian of The Year to demand an overhaul of the treatment of victims of sexual assault and violence.
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She's been vocal. She's been critical of the government from the Prime Minister down, and she's gotten a lot of people offside in making no attempt to hide her personal disdain of Scott Morrison — who she calls Scott, a move many regard as disrespectful but that she believes reflects his more common use of the first names of women than men.
She's delivering the same level of respect she believes the Prime Minister dishes out, whether he's aware of it or not.
On her final official day as Australian of The Year, Grace Tame sent social media and talkback radio into meltdown by taking her disdain for the Prime Minister to the next level.
'Some demanded she be stripped of the honour she'd only hold for a few more hours. Grace Tame's supporters called her a hero'
She was a guest at a morning tea for this year's Australian of the Year nominees and finalists, hosted by the Prime Minister and his wife at the Lodge, their Canberra home.
And she threw all social norms and niceties out the window by making it very clear how much she DIDN'T want to be in the Prime Minister's company.
She shook his hand with a scowl — the same expression she wore for photos, delivered with a side of side eye.
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You didn't have to be an expert in body language to know the message Grace Tame was delivering. She didn't like this man and didn't want to be anywhere near him.
Critics called her Grace-less — behaving like a childish brat who was undermining all the good work she has achieved as Australian of the Year.
If she didn't want to be there, why did she go and behave so badly?
Some demanded she be stripped of the honour she'd only hold for a few more hours.
Grace Tame's supporters called her a hero.
They believed she'd behaved exactly the way she always has — staying true to herself and refusing to follow the rules that all good girls are meant to, being polite, smiling and not rocking the boat, even though inside you might be screaming.
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Grace Tame has always divided opinion — from the moment she was named Australian of The Year to her final day in the role.
She wears her fearlessness as a badge of honour.
There's no doubt she didn't behave the way we're meant to at the home of someone hosting a morning tea. Especially when that someone is the Prime Minister.
I believe there are ways to garner support that don't always involve getting people offside. But you do have to crack an egg to make an omelette.
And just like feminists of the 1970s shook things up to push for change, the fearless females of this generation must be applauded for putting themselves out there to get things done.
2GB Afternoons with Deborah Knight is on from midday to 3pm from Monday to Friday. You can subscribe to the podcast here.
