We’re a fan of Taylor Swift, even if we’ve never listened to her music. No wonder those who are familiar with the singing superstar celebrated Taylor’s 35th birthday this past Friday, Dec. 13, with a party at the Great Bend Public Library.
Swift-themed birthday parties are popular, and Taylor Swift Halloween costumes were also popular. For the library’s party, little girls could add a ribbon to their hair and glue lettered beads around the rim of heart-shaped sunglasses, making “friendship sunglasses.” Swift fans, known as Swifties, use the beads to make friendship bracelets. There was a photo booth with glittery props such as a microphone, a cookie decorating station and a place for girls to get their nails done or decorate a record. They could try to arrange Taylor’s past love interests into the correct order for a “boyfriend timeline.” All of this and more brought young girls to the library for a few hours of fun.
When Taylor Swift was named Person of the Year by Time magazine in 2023 (https://time.com/6342806/person-of-the-year-2023-taylor-swift/), those of us who are less enlightened learned what a personable celebrity she is: talented, generous, and a positive role model for young girls and women to boot. Billboard reports, “beyond her chart triumphs, Swift was honored as the first Woman of the Decade at Billboard’s 2019 Women In Music celebration, not just for her commercial success, but for her commitment to protecting creative rights, music education, literacy programs, cancer research, disaster relief and the Time’s Up initiative (to support victims of sexual harassment).”
Time’s “Person of the Year” story recounted her work ethic. For the Eras Tour that began on March 17, 2023, and wrapped up on Dec. 8, 2024, she started physically training six months before it began. She would run on a treadmill every day, singing the songs in her 180-minute show.
Earlier this year, Newsweek published an opinion piece called “Taylor Swift is Not a Good Role Model.” (https://www.newsweek.com/taylor-swift-not-good-role-model-opinion-1916799). Writer John Mac Ghlionn decided to push back on numerous pieces that said the opposite. He didn’t call her a childless cat lady, but only because he gave the cat a break. “At 34, Swift remains unmarried and childless, a fact that some might argue is irrelevant to her status as a role model. But, I suggest, it’s crucial to consider what kind of example this sets for young girls.”
Ghlionn’s piece struck a nerve with 7-year-old Swiftie Amaya Grace Montgomery, whose mom is director of audience at Newsweek. Amaya wants to be a scientist when she grows up. Newsweek published her rebuttal to Ghlionn (https://www.newsweek.com/im-seven-year-old-swiftie-heres-why-taylor-swift-role-model-girls-like-me-opinion-1919851) that stated, “Taylor Swift is girl power. And she is kind. And because she is both, she makes us feel like we can be both. And that’s a very good thing! That is what I think makes Taylor Swift so special: She is a nice person and she is a good singer. She’s a good musician who writes good songs people love to sing over and over, and she helps people by donating money. She gives money to food pantries in all the cities she visits. She gives huge bonuses to the people who work for her. She donates so much money to the needy. I admire that. That is a role model.”
On Taylor Swift’s 35th birthday, the Topeka Capital-Journal wrote that on Nov. 29, she spent time with Tinley Raaf, 13, of Holton, and several other youths at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Overland Park. The Holton teen is recovering from a coma and serious illness.
Taylor Swift has made a lot of money and has given a lot away; millions, in fact, to food banks, hurricane and tornado relief, flood victims, survivors of sexual assault, struggling students needing financial assistance and other individuals in need. She has reportedly given $197 million in bonuses to the Eras Tour staff .
Our heroes are imperfect and anyone we put on a pedestal today may fall off of it tomorrow. At 7 years old, Amaya Montgomery is smart enough to know she doesn’t want to be exactly like Taylor Swift, if only because she is afraid of being in front of a lot of people. “But she makes me feel brave. She makes me feel happy and excited when I sing her songs,” Amaya said.
As the Eras Tour and 2024 come to a close, we plan to become more familiar with Taylor Swift’s music. There are countless other female role models – Michelle Obama and Malala Yousafzai come to mind – and there are positive male role models as well. Individually, we can also strive to be “everyday influencers” who display positivity, generosity, hard work and honesty. If we are also smart and talented, and willing to stand up for ourselves and others, well, that sounds a lot like reasons girls say they admire Taylor Swift. So, we’re in: Want to trade friendship bracelets?
