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Art & Culture

Poet and Activist Rupi Kaur on Giving Voice to Women’s Experiences

Image by Tarzan Sodhi

25 Jul '25
By The Shift
25 Jul '25
By The Shift

The Shift highlights women’s stories through the lens of impact. It hopes to contextualize history and inspire action.

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Rupi Kaur is a bestselling poet, performer, and artist whose work explores identity, love, trauma, and healing. With millions of books sold worldwide, she has redefined modern poetry and empowered a global audience through vulnerability and self-expression.

The Shift:

Who are three women that inspire you?

Rupi:

Francesca Albanese, Gisèle Pelicot, Angelina Jolie

The Shift:

What is one defining moment in your career or life that empowered you to create change, and how has it shaped the path you’re on today?

Rupi:

Seeing the way women were often seen as inferior to men, and the mistreatment that resulted in was a huge driver in me starting my writing and performing career. I felt this innate need to explore those experiences further. I was in conversation with the women around me and felt a need to document and share it with the world.

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Rupi Kaur is honored as part of The Shift’s “90 Plus One” list, which recognizes influential women shaping contemporary culture. With Gloria Steinem featured on the inaugural print cover, the list pays homage to her 91 years of activism by highlighting a powerhouse community of women shifting culture.