Campus club highlights pop star's cultural and economic influence
March represents Women’s History Month, and student organizations all over campus gathered to celebrate in fun ways. Last week, Belmont’s Swift Society held an event that brought “Swifties” together to celebrate and bond over Taylor Swift. At the “Women’s History Month (Taylor’s Version)” event, attendees learned about accomplishments in each “era” of Swift’s career, concluding with a discussion on the economic and cultural impact of the Eras tour.
President and co-founder of the Swift Society, Kassidy Shupp, a sophomore Education Policy major from the Poconos, knew she wanted to start a Taylor Swift Society on campus early in her student career at Belmont. Drawing inspiration from previously existing Swift Societies at other universities, she and her friends banded together to start the club. The club was made for fans of the iconic pop star to bond over their love of her music, career and contributions to the music industry. By the spring semester of 2024, Shupp had turned her dream into a reality when the Swift Society became an official organization.
Over the past year, the Swift Society has organized multiple events such as a collaboration with Campus Security discussing concert safety and a “Galentine’s” event themed to Swift’s “Lover” album.
“Taylor Swift is such a role model and inspiration for all women — anyone can find a piece of her journey that they can relate to,” said Shupp.
Swift’s Inspirational Impact
Taylor Swift’s economic impact is staggering — the Eras Tour had 49 shows over nearly two years and independently generated over $2 billion, boosting local economies and demonstrating the substantial economic power of a female pop artist.
Her unprecedented success goes far beyond ticket sales. Swift has broken numerous records, becoming the first artist to claim all top 10 spots on the Billboard Hot 100.Her extensive list of career accomplishments, one that includes 14 Grammy wins, has simultaneously served as a platform to support and elevate other women in music.
Swift’s influence extends beyond commercial success, positioning her as a cultural icon who has reshaped conversations about female empowerment. She has become an advocate for artists' rights, challenging industry norms and inspiring a generation of musicians to demand ownership of their work.
The Swift Society on Belmont’s campus is a meaningful way for students to celebrate and bond over their favorite artist who created the highest-grossing tour of all time, representing a transformative moment for women in the music industry.
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