Women With Something To Say: Viv Albertine

It's day four of Women With Something To Say and today's blog contains words of wisdom from none other than punk legend Viv Albertine! One time guitarist for The Slits, Viv has since turned her hand to film making, song writing and is now a Faber author, too! The Slits have always been a major inspiration for Rosie and Harriet, so we couldn't believe our luck when Viv read from her soon-to-be-published memoirs at the campaign's launch event. Characteristically, her book pulls no punches and doesn't shy away from unpalatable truths - Harriet nearly fainted at one particularly shocking anecdote! If there's one thing you take away from today's blog, make it Viv's inspiring advice, 'Life's Too Short To Be Shy': Girls under achieve because they have a fear of failure and dread looking stupid. I had those feelings myself when I was younger, I still have them now, but I override them. I don't let those fears determine what I do in my life. What do you want written on your gravestone? ‘She could have been anything but she was too scared of looking silly and failing?’ It's about time girls toughened up and got used to failing and looking like a twat. That’s the only way to succeed. The more girls are seen to fail, then get up and try again, the more normal it will become until we’re all failing and succeeding all over the place! The world needs us. So, ‘Feel the Fear and do it Anyway’ as Susan Jeffers said. After all, Life's Too Short to be Shy. Thanks, Viv! We're definitely making this our mantra. Join in the conversation in the comments below or tweet us using the hashtag #WWSTS. We can’t wait to hear what you have to say!

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