Buzz
Show your admiration for the women in your life with this viral social media movement
Woman Crush Wednesday, or WCW, is a trending hashtag where people share photos or videos of the women they admire, their female crushes, or anyone who inspires them. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Woman Crush Wednesday, including its meaning, how to use the hashtag, its origins, and ways to celebrate your girl crush.
What is the significance of Woman Crush Wednesday?
Woman Crush Wednesday, or WCW, is a popular social media tradition dedicated to honoring women. On Wednesdays, people post images of women they admire, such as a partner, friend, or role model, on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. It’s less about romantic attraction and more about empowering and celebrating women.
How to Participate
What is Woman Crush Wednesday?
Woman Crush Wednesday is a social media tradition that celebrates women. Woman Crush Wednesday (or WCW) is an online trend where people share photos or videos of women they admire or find inspiring every Wednesday. These women could be personal acquaintances or celebrities. Initially popular on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, the hashtag has spread to TikTok and Snapchat as well.
- While the hashtag began as a way to highlight women people found attractive, it has evolved into a more empowering movement, with users, especially women, celebrating women who have made a positive impact on their lives.
- For example, someone might say, “My mom managed to finish college while raising two kids and working full time. She’s the ultimate Woman Crush Wednesday.”
How to Participate in WCW Online
Show your admiration for your partner or crush. Initially, Woman Crush Wednesday was a fun way to shout out your romantic crush. It’s a perfect opportunity to let your followers know how much you appreciate your partner. If your crush is unaware of your feelings, this can also serve as a subtle hint that you want to take your relationship beyond friendship. Here are some example captions:
- “Here’s to my amazing wife, Jane—you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. #WCW”
- “Ashley is my Woman Crush Wednesday, every single day. I’m so lucky to have you in my life.”
- “Celebrating Woman Crush Wednesday with the wonderful Hannah. I still can’t believe I convinced someone as incredible as you to be my girlfriend.”
Honor the qualities you adore in your best friend. Your WCW doesn’t have to be romantic—it can celebrate the love between friends as well! Whether your best friend has achieved something amazing recently or you just feel like showing them some love, Woman Crush Wednesday is a great time to do it. Here are a few examples:
- “My bestie just got into grad school! She’s forever my #WCW.”
- “This Woman Crush Wednesday is dedicated to my bff Penny, the strongest woman I know.”
- “Happy Woman Crush Wednesday to my partner in crime, my bestie Hayley. You always know how to make me smile when I’m feeling down.”
Honor a remarkable celebrity or public figure. Your WCW could be someone you’ve never personally met. Maybe you’re inspired by a particular actress’s charitable efforts, or you simply admire the infectious personality of a favorite singer. Whatever it is, share a memorable photo or video of your iconic female crush. Here are a few ideas:
- “Meryl Streep is my Woman Crush Wednesday every week. I truly admire everything she does!”
- “Emma Watson does so much for charity. She’s incredible, and I look up to her. #WCW”
- “Did you catch Zendaya’s latest interview? She’s always so poised, handling even the trickiest questions with grace. She’s definitely my #WCW this week.”
The Origins of Woman Crush Wednesday
Woman Crush Wednesday was born in 2010. The trend emerged as a playful response to Man Crush Monday (MCM), where social media users would highlight their favorite male celebrities. The earliest known reference to Woman Crush Wednesday was shared by Twitter user @taaayyyllooorr on September 23, 2010, saying, “Aww! :D Gielle reblogged my ‘Woman Crush Wednesday’ post of her on Tumblr.” The original post on Tumblr appears to have been deleted.
The Woman Crush Wednesday hashtag gained momentum in 2012. Although the phrase had existed for a while, it really took off when the hashtag began trending on May 16, 2012. Over time, many celebrities (including NBA player Andre Drummond and singer Miley Cyrus) participated, boosting its popularity. Eventually, the shortened WCW hashtag became the go-to term.
- By 2017, the trend had evolved to focus more on women celebrating other women rather than just romantic crushes.
WCW continues to thrive on new social platforms like TikTok. While many trends fade over time, Woman Crush Wednesday remains strong. The WCW hashtag boasts over 61.6 million posts on Instagram and 45.8 million views on TikTok. On TikTok, users typically post short clips celebrating their favorite female celebrities, while Instagram users often share photos of real-life women they know personally.
Ways to Celebrate Woman Crush Wednesday
Give your WCW a shout-out on social media. As an online phenomenon, the easiest way to take part in Woman Crush Wednesday is by sharing a post about your woman crush. Post some of your favorite pictures or videos of her, and in the caption, explain why she’s your WCW and what makes her so special to you.
Spend quality time with your WCW. If your WCW is your partner, consider treating her to a lovely date to show your appreciation. If she’s your best friend, plan a fun girls' night in or out, doing something she loves. For example, host a movie marathon with her favorite films or take her for a relaxing mani-pedi session! Let her know that today is all about celebrating her and how much she means to you.
Send her a text or call if you're apart. If you and your WCW are in a long-distance relationship or can’t meet up, take the time to wish her a happy Woman Crush Wednesday over the phone. Send a thoughtful message about why she’s your WCW, and catch up on life. Letting her know she’s on your mind will show her how much she’s loved and valued.
Surprise her with flowers or a gift basket. You don’t need a special occasion to send flowers or gifts. Surprise your WCW with a lovely gesture on an ordinary Wednesday to show you’re thinking of her. Send her favorite flowers to her workplace or gather all her favorite treats to create a personalized gift basket. Whatever you choose, it’ll surely brighten her day.
Express how she’s made a positive difference in your life. It’s wonderful to share with others how much you admire and love your WCW, but it’s even more meaningful to tell her personally. Whether she’s a friend or your partner, let her know exactly why you’re grateful to have her in your life. Reflect on her qualities and the special moments you’ve shared to make Woman Crush Wednesday more than just another hashtag.
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Many people celebrate Woman Crush Wednesday to uplift women and spread positivity, as it not only makes them feel good but also brings joy to others. If you’ve been thinking about posting for Woman Crush Wednesday, go ahead and share your love! The world can always use more reasons to celebrate.
