Flashback to the Oscars of 2007
by Tabby Biddle
Tabby Biddle at the 79th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
FLASHBACK: This photo was taken the first year I moved to Los Angeles, 14 years ago. My cousin worked for the Academy, so I was fortunate to be invited to attend the Oscars that year. It was a magical year. It seemed like I was running into celebrities everywhere — at the grocery store, the farmer’s markets, the cafés, the hiking trails, the school where I taught(Yes, I did sing at the school holiday assembly in front of one of my music idols, Chris Martin of Coldplay), and of course, the Oscars. I was smitten.
But then not long afterwards, I became aware of the realities of what was going on in Hollywood — the abuse of women, the underrepresentation of women, the underrepresentation of people of color, the dearth of opportunities for anyone outside of the white, male paradigm. This was a painful awakening. It didn’t mean that I fell out of love with film and television, but it did mean that I was not naïve anymore, and I would use my voice and my platform to call out these things so that they weren’t the accepted norm.
All these years later, we are embarking upon the 93rd Academy Awards this Sunday. The world has changed a lot since 2007 and my first foray on that Oscars red carpet. While many of the same problems still exist, there is movement. This year’s Oscars is among one of the most diverse. But the change is slow, and there remains a ton of room for improvement.
Fortunately, the momentum is building – more people are speaking out and taking action for change. I continue to use my voice to call out the inequities when I see them and do work that supports the rise of the Feminine in Hollywood and elsewhere. I believe we all have our own part to play in creating a more equitable society, and it’s up to each one of us to listen deeply to that call and follow it. Thank you for listening. ❤️
Tabby Biddle, M.S. Ed. works at the intersection of women’s leadership, feminine spirituality and social change. She is the co-founder of 50 Women Can Change the World in Media & Entertainment, the bestselling author of Find Your Voice: A Woman’s Call to Action, and an internationally celebrated women’s leadership coach, educator, strategist, and group facilitator for her unique approach to activating women’s leadership. Learn more.