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The What Charlie TOTE ‘PHENOMENAL WOMAN’ heavy duty cotton canvas tote bag:

Dr. Maya Angelou is a major inspiration around here and this PHENOMENAL WOMAN tote bag is the first of a few tributes to her work that you’ll be seeing at What Charlie TOTE.

Phenomenal Woman is a poetry book collection of four poems that celebrate Women (Phenomenal Woman, Still I Rise, Weekend Glory, and Our Grandmothers). With the titular poem being one of the most widely recognised, alongside Still I Rise (next on my list)

Read the What Charlie TOTE Phenomenal Woman blog.

Phenomenal Woman is beloved for the way it decimates traditional beauty standards and rewrites the definition of beauty.

In a world where we’re raising girls to validate themselves rather than seeking out external validation, and raising boys to give compliments that aren’t in any way attached to physical appearance, the What Charlie  TOTE PHENOMENAL WOMAN tote bag is more than just Maya Angelou merchandise, it shouts from the rooftops "Yes, I am phenomenal, phenomenal woman that’s me, and that is the least interesting thing about me.”

Scroll down for the full poem.

A Word on International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day 2026 is on Sunday March 8 this year & the theme is Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls, with the UN’s official IWD website page stating, “Without justice systems that work for women, rights become a promise that never arrives.”

If you’re an event coordinator committed to creating something more impactful than cupcakes and morning tea contact me today about a bulk order of the PHENOMENAL WOMAN tote bag for corporate International Women’s Day merchandise or gift bags to amplify your company’s IWD 2026 messaging for this potentially phenomenal March event.

What does PHENOMENAL WOMAN mean? Phenomenal Woman is a Maya Angelou poem, and also the title of a collection of four poems celebrating women, including Phenomenal Woman. The phrase has come to define a woman whose beauty is powerful because it’s borne of her self-love, self-confidence, charisma, magnetism, and inner strength. 

A phenomenal woman is intentional about loving herself unconditionally - and in a patriarchal society that’s structured to profit from women’s self doubt, this level of self love is a rebellious act of truly phenomenal proportions. 

Phenomenal Woman in the context of a What Charlie Tote tote bag: The phrase PHENOMENAL WOMAN on your tote bag is a bat(girl) signal to other Queens who count self love as their superpower.

If you want to let people know as soon as they see you coming that you’re standing on business about being exactly who you think you are, this is the tote bag for you.

If there’s an absolute gem of a human in your life who needs to know exactly how you feel about her, this is the tote bag for both of you. 

Here is the full text of 

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,

They say they still can’t see.

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand,

The need for my care.

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

You want to make a statement but you’re not necessarily a statement tee kinda fashionista: Cotton tote bags are a the perfect way to express yourself through fashion without having to adapt your unique sense of style.

You want to give a fashionable gift but you don’t know if you can nail the recipient’s personal style: A heavy duty 100% cotton canvas tote bag is the perfect gift for a Queen who has her own very unique sense of style. What Charlie Totes are eco and environmentally friendly, and with white text on black 100% cotton canvas they’re a timeless functional basic that fits with every possible outfit. Plus, unlike most standard tote bags they’re heavy duty and include an internal pocket and velcro fastening for added durability, sustainability and efficiency on the go. 

Why customers repeatedly choose What Charlie Tote tote bags:

Quality ~ 100% cotton tote bags.

Sustainability ~ heavy duty canvas tote bags.

Versatility ~ black canvas tote bags fit with every outfit, style, side quest, outing, climate & mood.

Fun fun fun ~ What Charlie Tote quotes are empowering, thought-provoking, on trend, niche, smart and powerful enough to pack a real punch - standing in the checkout line or hanging in the back of your chair at bottomless brunch.

What Charlie  Tote Custom Tote Bags

What Charlie Tote canvas tote bags may also be available on request.

Heavy duty black canvas tote bag specs & care instructions: These premium tote bags are 40 x 44 x 10cm, they weigh 370 gsm, and the handles are 60 x 3cm. Spot clean only with a damp cloth.

What Charlie Totes pricing: AUD $34 each.

What Charlie Totes shipping: free Australian shipping & free worldwide shipping, no code needed.