Melanie Vesey on awakening to a world where women’s voices are amplified and celebrated

Melanie Vesey

International Women’s Day on March 8, as well as the entire month of March, is a time to highlight and commemorate all that women have achieved - past, present, and future. Revry honors their contributions to our history and society, and to provide recognition and encouragement of a more inclusive future. 

Women have been left out from our history and overlooked far too often. Women’s History Month is a time to showcase the talent and creativity that lives within our female-identifying community. Directors, actresses, writers, and more; we’ll be interviewing creative and inspirational women who make a difference with their art. 

Melanie Vesey is a comedian, actress, writer, director, and owner of a promotions consulting firm called Promotional Rescue. Throughout Melanie's career, she's been seen in the New York Times, The New Yorker, Paper Magazine, Playboy, Time Out, and Vanity Fair. Notably, she co-starred with Jim Carrey in the Andy Kaufman bio-pic "Man on the Moon" and has been seen at the Burbank, Motor City, Palm Springs, and the Ladies Laugh Comedy Festivals. You can keep up to date with her at @MelanieVesey on Instagram!

What does Women’s History Month month mean to you?

What Women's History Month means to me is the celebration of Women, which shouldn't be confined to only 1 month. Gowing up in the Midwest I was surrounded by misogyny which was so internalized I didn't realize I was queer until I was 26. I had no idea I had the capacity to love women because I was taught to reject them. When I came out and was awakened to a world where women's voices were amplified and celebrated, I was changed forever. I would never be able to put that genie back in the bottle, nor did I want to. I know I'm not alone in this old way of thinking that plagued me which is why this month is so important. If everyone could share about the important woman in their lives the message would become so loud it couldn't be denied.

There are so many unacknowledged women who made history. Is there a women creator that has impacted your work? 

Stand-up Comedian, Elyane Boosler! Watching her perform on TV in the 90s made a very lasting impression on me. Watching her be whip-smart funny AND DRESSED TO THE 9's is what has defined my #GOALS. I'm always overdressed for comedy and I love it.

History is inspirational to future generations. What advice would you give the next generation of women creators?

If you want Women's voices to be heard, then amplify the women's voices around you. Do what you can for Women in your corner of the world. Got a slot on your comedy show, in your movie, or on your team? Hire a Woman! Women of all shapes and sizes and colors. They are out there and will greatly improve the quality of your work.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Revry has curated a powerful collection of stories told by female artists featuring films, TV series, music, and more.