Yasmeen Hassan, Global Executive Director, celebrates Linda Perry as part of Equality Now’s 30 for 30, featuring 30 women and changemakers who have played a key role in making equality reality as part of our 30th anniversary celebrations.

I first met Linda when she volunteered to perform at our Make Equality Reality Gala in 2016 just after the 2016 election. Like many people across the country and around the world, Linda was alarmed at what the election of Donald Trump signaled for women’s status and equality in the United States. Amid this tumult, Linda dedicated her time and talent to bringing people together for Equality Now and our mission. 

Linda is one of the most talented musical artists I have the pleasure of knowing and have been fortunate to call a friend. She has always been determined to use her talents to help give voice to the feelings, fears, frustrations, and struggles of others. Whether through her performances, penning hits like Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” or through the work of her record label We Are Hear. For International Women’s Day in 2018, Equality Now was fortunate to partner with Linda for the “Freedom Means” campaign, which saw us bring together artists and activists around the world to share what freedom —and equality — means to them. 

For years, Linda has so generously and zealously worked to help us make equality reality for women and girls. From her soulful, original performances at our galas (at our last in-person event in 2019, Linda surprised our team and opened with a brand-new song she had just written on her flight from Los Angeles!)—to her dedication to helping to educate the public on the pressing issues facing women and girls today—Linda’s commitment is a shining example of how artists can use their platforms to champion the issues and the causes that matter most. 

As I’ve had the chance to get to know and collaborate with Linda and her team over the years, I am always touched by how deeply our mission resonates with her. During another one of our Galas, someone once asked Linda why she had decided to come out that evening to support Equality Now. Linda’s answer, I still recall, was simple but spoke volumes. “I think that it’s my duty, as a woman, as someone who has a voice, to try to help as much as I can.”