LOUISE BROOKS
Well, hello there! It's me, Louise Brooks, and let me tell you, I was the berries during the flapper era. Born in Kansas in 1906, I was a true rebel who lived life on my own terms. I was known for my iconic bob haircut, which I had before it was even fashionable. I was also famous for my love of jazz music and my wild partying. I smoked ciggies, drank gin and had a string of lovers, both men and women alike. Ol’ Charlie Chaplin was my sheik for a while but when he became a wet blanket, I gave him the old heave-ho. I was a flapper through and through, and I was proud of it.
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Oh honey, let me tell you what really made me a rebel – my attitude! I never hesitated to speak my mind, even if it meant going against the boring societal norms of the time. I was a true feminist who believed that women should have the same rights as men, and I made sure everyone knew it! I never let anyone push me around, whether it was my boss or the police. I challenged authority like it was my full-time job, and I did it with sass and style. I never cared what anyone else thought.
I was also a trailblazer in the film industry. I started out as a dancer in New York City, but I quickly made my way to Hollywood. I was known for my roles in silent films, and I was one of the first actresses to use the "method" approach to acting. I was fearless on screen, and I wasn't afraid to take risks. My most famous film, "Pandora's Box," is now considered a classic of the silent era. You could say I was a bit of a troublemaker, but, that’s what made me legendary.
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So, to all you young rebels out there, let me give you some advice: be fearless, be bold, and never let anyone dull your sparkle. My time in the limelight may have been brief compared to other flapper gals but nobody can forget me. Do the most with what you have. I like to say, “A well dressed woman, even though her purse is painfully empty, can conquer the world.” Life is too short to play by someone else's rules. Be the woman everyone else is too scared to be. Go out there and blaze your own trail, just like I did!
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Garner, B. (n.d.)Women’s History Month: Louise Brooks. In Their Own League. https://intheirownleague.com/2020/03/03/womens-history-month-louise-brooks/
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Pandora’s Box. (2023) https://www.pandorasbox.com/