Actress Kerry Washington participates in the Instagram Challenge Accepted trend that celebrates women.
Kerry Washington / Instagram
If you’re on Instagram, you may have noticed that your feed is awash with black and white images of women, along with the hashtags #ChallengeAccepted and #WomenSupportingWomen. The viral campaign is a way for women to show appreciation for other women who inspire and support each other.
Women from all walks of life, famous and not-so-famous, post selfies with positive affirmations about the importance of supporting and inspiring other women. They are also nominating other women to do the same on their own Instagram accounts.
Over 3 million photos have been posted with the hashtags #ChallengeAccepted or #WomenSupportingWomen.
“I love this simple way to elevate each other. #Challengeaccepted,” Model Cindy Crawford posted an Instagram photo of herself walking on the beach. “Thanks for nominating me @vanessabryant.”
Here is more information about the campaign and how you can get involved.
“The challenge is accepted. Appreciating, supporting and believing in women is one of my greatest joys,” actress Clare Grant posted on her Instagram on Monday. “Women who love me, support me and understand me is one of my greatest strengths. A great love for the women who nominated me, for all of whom I am enormously amazed and inspired.”
What is it?
The Challenge Accepted campaign is a way for women to support each other and celebrate. The challenge is for the women to post a black and white photo of themselves, using the hashtag #WomenSupportingWomen and including a thank you to the woman who nominated them.
Then, the women are nominating one woman (or more) privately in their direct messages to post their own black-and-white selfie, with a supporting comment or two about the importance of female friendships and brotherhood.
“Be confident no matter how much makeup you have. You look dark exactly how you look!” Actress Felicia Day posted on her Instagram.
Why do women participate?
Women participate to show their appreciation for the women who have inspired them in their goals, personal and professional, as well as to celebrate the friends who have been by their side or provided support when they needed it most.
While the idea of female empowerment sounds like a positive message, not all women agree that it is the best way to encourage women to celebrate their achievements and address current challenges.
I just hate that women want to feel empowered and the first thing they think about is selfies
– Ali Segel (@OnlineAlison) July 27, 2020
“I think if this ‘movement’ featured trans women, or showed female or female business or achievement in history, it would make more sense,” podcaster Ali Segel told The New York Times on Monday. “But the idea of this as a challenge or a cause is really lost on me.”
(Note: Trans women, including actress Candis Cayne, have also participated in the challenge on Instagram.)
“I just hate that women want to feel empowered and the first thing they think about is selfies,” Segel tweeted.
Segel was not alone in her critique of the challenge.
You are not alone here. Nor do I understand this new “challenge”. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to publish a work that we have recently enjoyed and that was created by other women? (Books, documents, magazine articles, beauty products, applications, charities, etc.)
– Natalia Buia (@itsbooyeah) July 27, 2020
“I also do not understand this new ‘challenge’; would it not be more appropriate to publish a work that we have recently enjoyed and that was created by other women? Books, documents, magazine articles, beauty products, applications, charities, etc..” , writer and digital producer Natalia Buia tweeted.
Who has done it?
The diversity of women participating is impressive. Only on my own Instagram feed are actresses, scientists, activists, directors, CEOs, programmers, gamers, and more sharing their love for other women who inspire and support them.
Celebrities like Ava DuVernay, Demi Lovato, Halle Berry, Jeri Ryan, Kerry Washington, Felicia Day, Cindy Crawford, Jennifer Garner, Jamie Chung, Kristen Bell, Jessica Alba, Taraji P. Henson, Amber Midthunder, Marlee Matlin, Eva Longoria and many more are posting their photos to help the campaign gain momentum.
These are some of the many selfies that are published on Instagram:
