Over the course of history, women have been the main target for social pressures. The stress of being a woman is a multifaceted experience, woven into the fabric of societal expectations, systemic inequalities, and the ongoing need to strike a balance between pursuing one's own goals and traditional responsibilities. 

From traditional gender roles to external expectations, women often find themselves contending with societal pressures that influence their choices, ambitions, and self-perception. Throughout history, women have been confined to one set way of living, from her education and career to marriage and family responsibilities. Thanks to societal norms, a woman's worth is based on her adherence to these roles, perpetuating a restrictive and often oppressive framework. This allows for a set view on women that only reinforces a restrictive and often oppressive framework. Luckily, women around the world have demonstrated remarkable courage in breaking free from traditional norms and carving out their own paths. Women overcoming societal pressures is an act of strength, resilience, and empowerment. Through educational pursuits, entrepreneurship and innovation, community building, and much more. One woman who embodied these qualities and consistently demonstrated the boundless potential of every person, regardless of gender was named Gloria Jean Watkins. She was better known by her pen name where she insisted in using all lowercase letters, bell hooks.  

bell hooks have been a long-standing figure in feminist theory and cultural criticism. Throughout her career, hooks has been an advocate for social justice, challenging traditional power structures and reshaping the discourse on race, gender, and identity. Looking into her early life, hooks was born in the early 1950s where she was exposed to segregation. Her own experiences with racial and economic discrimination in the American South had a profound impact on her writing. This being the first reason why she started her craft in literature. After years of education, she earned a Ph.D. in Literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz.  

There are many books that hooks has published that grasp the idea of women empowerment such as; Feminism is for Everybody and Ain’t I a Woman. Her work, deeply rooted in intersectionality, challenged the prevailing feminist discourse that often overlooked the experiences of women of color and those from marginalized communities. Having studied her writings, I can say that they represent one of the most novel points of view and comprehensive interpretations. In one of my personal favorites, Ain’t I a Woman, hooks challenges prevailing feminist narratives, asserting the unique struggles faced by black women in the fight for equality through a nuanced and intersectional lens. This book alone has shaped the discourse on feminism and social justice. It confronts the historical removal of black women within feminist movements. Majority of the time, mainstream feminism fails to express the distinct challenges faced by black women, failing to recognize the intersectionality of their identities. The entirety of Ain’t I a Woman is to effectively paint a picture of the complex realities that black women have to navigate. There is importance in acknowledging the layers of oppression they endure.  

hooks is a hero to all women. Her captivating words and everlasting theories have allowed her to depict the years of control women have endured. By addressing the silencing of women within feminist circles, hooks reclaims and celebrates the rich legacy of feminist thought. She served as a pioneer for a feminist generation. hooks managed to break free from social forces that targeted her skin tone in addition to her gender. I think the following passage from Ain't I a Woman perfectly captures the fundamental influence of hooks as a feminist:  

"We black women who advocate feminist ideology are pioneers. We are clearing a path for ourselves and our sisters. We hope that as they see us reach our goal – no longer victimized, no longer unrecognized, no longer afraid – they will take courage and follow."  

bell hooks, Ain’t I a Woman  

When we consider bell hooks' accomplishments, we see her as a formidable force who has not only changed feminist theory but also served as a beacon of hope for people attempting to make their way through the harsh landscape of social justice and equality. If this seems like common sense today it is in large part due to hooks’ influence on feminism. Under pressure, bell hooks was able to release a transformative process akin to the creation of diamonds. Amidst her life’s demanding norms, she was able to redefine her purpose and the purpose of women before her and those to come. hooks is a pivotal example that: adversity can be overcome with resilience and a growth attitude, which enables people to not only endure life's challenges but also, to emerge as extraordinarily valued and singular individuals.