Mara Brock Akil to Woman TV Bosses: 'We Should All Be Feminists'

The organization Girls Inc. held its annual entertainment-industry luncheon Wednesday, bringing together some of the most powerful women in television for a host of inspirational speeches. And Mara Brock Akil, pioneer of this current era of women in television with Girlfriends and The Game, had some of the best statements.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Brock Akil said during her speech that “we should all be feminists” because “it’s congruent with being human.” She also backed that up with some great advice for young people, for whom Girls Inc. is set up to help:

“Knowing your craft and being educated about what you want to do will build your confidence and vocabulary to be able to open your mouth and be heard,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. A sure way to leave the showrunner unimpressed? Don’t speak up. “If you’re there in my room and you’re quiet, there’s really no need for me to rehire you if you’re sitting on some of your best ideas and not putting yourself forward,” she says of her own workplace standards, adding: “A closed mouth does not get fed.”

Please observe and enjoy the above photo, of Brock Akil at the podium whilst delivering said speech. “BOLD.”

Also being honored were Eva Longoria, OWN president Sheri Salata, and A+E CEO Nancy Dubuc. The latter told the Hollywood Reporter, “To effect meaningful change, you have to look at who’s in the boardrooms, who has the financial control of businesses and who has the greenlighting power.” All of that. It’s so good to know that there are women in television making boss decisions, especially when there is so much patriarchal man-garbage littering our 1022 channels. More of this!