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Week 10 - Priya's Shakti and Warrior Girls

1. How would you define the Warrior Girl Icon based on the examples in the PDF series? What icons would you add?

The Warrior Girl Icons are the revolutionary woman and make the female warrior a prominent investigation site for discourses surrounding female power and gender roles in society. Women warriors have been taken up as a symbol of feminist empowerment, emphasizing women's agency and capacity for power instead of the familiar pattern of female victimhood. It’s a dilemma that girls have faced for centuries. Dictated by society to be a princess or delicate flowers, girls have faced a world that does not expect – or even want – them to be strong warriors. Yet history and pop culture hint that there are far more warrior women than we have been led to believe. Xena is the main character in the television series Xena: Warrior Princess. Born in the city of Amphipolis in Ancient Greece, Xena travels around Greece, using her fighting skills and strength to help people. The male-dominated world of Ancient Greece has been imagined as a world where two women can be independent and fight (physically and emotionally) on the same level as men. Xena’s defiance of expectations placed on women is demonstrated by her role as a warrior. Still, her style continues the idea that women should be attractive, even if they are fighting. However, her muscular and strong beauty provides a realistic character, much like Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games films – a body that can undertake the demands of an active and adventurous life of survival. 

2. READ Priya's Shakhti graphic novel, watch the videos and write a review (3-4 paragraphs) on your blog.

Inspired by the tragic events of the gang rape and murder of a female student on a private bus in Delhi in December 2012, the people behind Priya’s Shakti wanted to tell a story that would spur people to action in protesting against the violence inflicted on women. Instead of using a generic approach to telling of the rape of a village girl, Priya’s Shakti shows how the Indian gods like Shiva and Parvati were so outraged by men’s inhumanity that a war of the gods ensued on Earth. Its devastation was averted only by the grace of Priya, the rape victim who decided to spread a message of peace and hope rather than a message of revenge and violence.

The graphic novel beautifully ties together mythological imagery and powerful statements. "The problem of gender violence is not a legal problem, but a cultural problem." A cultural shift had to happen, especially in the views towards the role of women in modern society. Deep-rooted patriarchal views needed to be challenged. For many rape survivors, it can feel impossible to seek justice when their lives are constantly threatened after they report the crimes against them. Families, local communities, and even police discourage women from pursuing criminal action against their attackers. The burden of shame is placed on the victim and not the perpetrators and creates a level of impunity among men to commit more rapes. This comic book creates empathy and identification with rape survivors so they can pursue justice without shame.

"Culture changes faster than genes." The most crucial thing emphasized in the comic book is that change is possible. Trying to create a cultural shift is incredibly difficult but not impossible. "Speak without shame and stand with me and bring about the change you want to see." Priya's Shakti demonstrates how the overarching culture can begin to change incrementally through the will of warrior girls and the spread of education to their male counterparts. The goddess Parvati's male equal, Shiva, was so revolted with humanity after learning out about Priya's rape that he ordered the death of humanity -- a very barbaric and generally patterned masculine response to this kind of wickedness. The perseverance of Priya and the goddess within her impacts the culture, which is ultimately what is needed for change, as all women have this energy within themselves. 

3. Watch the speeches by Emma Gonzales and Naomi Wadler. How do these speeches resonate four years later in the aftermath of March for Our Lives (March 2018)?

Emma Gonzales and Naomi Wadler are courageous young women who have had the ability to become prominent heroes in the fight for gun safety. The nationwide “March for Our Lives” was the first step toward more productive conversations on gun control. That this massive display of unity was organized, inspired, and primarily led by teenagers is as impressive as it is inspiring. The challenge now is for this new generation of change-seekers to keep up pressure on those in office to enact the type of common-sense gun laws that can reduce all-too-common mass-casualty shootings. Four years later, there has been broad public approval of new gun laws as President Joe Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law on June 25, 2022. However, many are still in opposition to joining the fight for gun control. There is still work that must happen to influence lawmakers and the American people. Emma Gonzales and Naomi Wadler are the perfect examples of how to go create this influence head-on. Gun-related violence threatens our most fundamental human right, the right to life. Today, the term “Warrior Girl” has evolved into its own archetype. Whether young or old, these women are empowered and claim the “Warrior Girl” title in ways we’ve never seen before. Their voices are a testament to how women achieve greatness by standing their ground and pushing for change. 

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Project Proposal

I am interested in writing a screenplay of a girl innovator of my own invention for my project. The story begins as a young girl enters high school, struggles to fit in, and gets entangled with an older boy. Eventually, she gets pregnant, and as her boyfriend then leaves her, she is forced to deal with her pregnancy on her own. The girl realizes how many resources and options she has and goes through with an abortion. This experience makes her dedicated to advocating for female reproductive rights.  

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Week 9 - Supernatural Girls

1. What are your thoughts on the evolution of depictions of Supernatural Powers in young women?

There’s a long history of associating witches with female power. “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” was one of my favorite shows growing up - I loved the idea of wagging my finger to get dressed in the morning or having my cat talk to me. Sabrina Spellman, while still hexing boys and making the mean girls throw up frogs, her worries were still genuine. When she stood up for free speech against her tyrannical teacher, when her friends accepted her despite her being different, or when she fought against institutional sexism, we can recognize issues that continue to have significance for us. But, really, in the end, the fact that she had to face these problems is no less absurd than the linen cupboard which transported her to “the other realm.” Following Sabrina as an icon in my life came Hermonie - one of the most potent feminist witches in literature. She defies certain literary tropes that articulate the role girls should play in boys’ lives, both on and off the page - Ron and Harry turn to her for guidance, and she becomes one of the most powerful witches at Hogwarts. Since the 90s, the evolution of Supernatural Powers in young women has only gotten more positive. Shows such as “Stranger Things,” with Eleven escaping the oppression of Papa to save Hawkins, put depictions of earlier supernatural women - such as “I Dream of Jeannie,” a show about an enslaved, sexualized wish granter, to even greater shame.

2. How is magical power related to adolescence?

Many times, magical powers are revealed to characters in their adolescence - Harry at 12, Sabrina at 16 - or even have magical encounters when they are children - Wendy in Neverland, James in his peach; this list goes on. Children happily accept impossible explanations for many phenomena. It is often thought of as a gift to see the world with childlike wonderment, but eventually, we are supposed to grow up. And most of us like to believe that as adults, our opinions, understanding or attitudes are grounded in solid realistic principles. However, most adults will hold on to their favorite magical thinking quirks and/or quickly fall back on magical thinking – especially in times of high emotion/stress or were clear links are challenging to elucidate. Reading your horoscope, buying a lotto ticket in times of financial stress, crossing your fingers when you really want a particular outcome, or using denial as a coping mechanism when the reality is just too awful to face - adults still want to participate in magical thinking. Magical powers are typically depicted in adolescence because of their ability to find hope while others don't. Magic can help a person choose to see the positive things in life, regardless of difficulties and challenges, something children tend to do better than adults.

3. What impact does the depiction of magic and its sense of agency have on real girls and young women in this era of emerging teenage girl leadership?

Witches represent a form of feminine influence that denies the masculine establishment. Stories of women having power and agency are now being celebrated more, much as we are becoming more empowered to take a stand in leadership. The transformation of the representation of magic in women and girls throughout the 20th century into the present day is a viable lens through which to view the feminist movement and its development over time. As the media views these women in a more powerful light, we can consider it an encouragement to forge forward, just as these characters do.

4. Are you aware of additional girl icons with magical powers? Please share in your post with images.

“Coven”, the third season of a famous American TV series, “American Horror Story,” follows 21st-century witches descended from Salem as they struggle for expression and equality against a world dedicated to their oppression. The show accesses the subdivisions of the feminist struggle, which includes racial divides, maternal struggle, and the battle for the old ways to resist those of the new. The girls use their powers to defeat rapists, dismissing men as the weaker sex, unapologetically turning the gender gap upside down and with verve.  “Coven” is determined to break the girls out and put their powers in public view, in encouraging the girls to wear black and hone their skills, spoiling for a showdown with a world of adversaries. The show puts spellcasters front and center with several amazing actors, which makes the season one of my favorites.

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Week 8 - Lady Bird

After graduating from Barnard College, Greta Gerwig began her career as an actress and playwright. In 2017, as an actor-turned-director solo debut, her first film, Lady Bird, sings with the blossoming prowess of distilling strength into applicable new directions. Greta Gerwig takes her manic, impossibly radical energy as a performer and shapes it gently and sweetly. She told her own story as a daughter of Sacramento, a girl bursting with creativity and personality who is both trapped in and bolstered by hometown pride. The result is a 'first feature' seemingly made by a master filmmaker at the height of her career, making so many young women feel seen. Lady Bird, as an endeavor, is a beautifully intimidating film. As a female director, she has made massive strides in a male-dominated profession.

In many ways, the film feels like a memory, even if it's not your own. Lady Bird lives in a Catholic community in Sacramento. She has a difficult relationship with other family members, and at school, her own anxiety has gotten in the way of personal relationships with friends at school - and she seeks a new home away from where she is. The film is a cohesive, economic tidal wave of moments, feelings, and montages that give way to weeks and months of unspoken words adding up to mountains of buried regret. Its uproarious comedy runs right along a particular line of financial instability and struggling familial relations, crossing over via character interaction and not because of Gerwig's intent of comedy. Nothing is left to chance, and so the film becomes it's own perfectly choreographed musical of heartbreak and warmth, hatred and love, missed calls and second chances. While navigating being an awkward teen with a complex relationship with her own mother, I felt seen more than in other coming-of-age movies I have seen. It is a unique adaptation to the female perspective because of its ability to be so raw, and so true to the experience of adolescence and skipping many of the cliches you might expect. When you drift apart from your friends, knowing your parents love you but feeling like they don’t like you, constantly comparing yourself to someone who’s richer or prettier -  Lady Bird somehow perfectly walks the fine line between being uniquely personal and universally relatable.

This movie holds a very special meaning for my mother and me - so much so that she calls me Ladybird. In and of itself, one genuinely great element is the relationship between Lady Bird and her mother. Ronan and Metcalf are both fantastic here, and their scenes are where Gerwig's vision truly crystallizes. The mother-daughter dynamic encompasses all the messiness of life, the push, and pull of what's in front of you and what's behind you. The single most important theme of the film is arguably contradiction, precisely because life is about the contradictions that allow you to learn and grow and hate people and love people. Contradictions are a part of growing up, maybe taking the form of a hometown you can't help but feel connected to or a future you can't help but long for. And maybe you're sick of certain people, but you really do love them, but you don't express that in the best of ways. And maybe you're arguing with someone, and then you see a dress you both like, and everything is okay for a moment. And maybe you're just changing, and you have no idea who you're going to be, and "I don't know" is the prevailing question in your life. Ultimately, you live and thrive in those contradictions, and raising someone you love can become something joyously grueling. Being raised by someone you love can be beautifully frustrating. On a surface level, raising a child is ultimately a transitional and biological mechanism of life, but there's something very meaningful to be said about those formative years. And all of it can be glimpsed in the tiny frailty of a rearview mirror, captured in the most fleeting of glances but tinged with the endurance of hope and love. Watching this movie with my own mother made us both cry, appreciating all of the pains we both feel in our relationship. It is hard to capture the unique dynamics of the complexities of this relationship, but Gerwig captures the torment of being 17.

Lady Bird is, in a sense, an amalgamation of tropes and teenage insecurities put under an incredibly intimate, personal lens. When something happens to Lady Bird, it feels like it's the first time it's ever happened. Every heartbreak is a pain we've never felt before because that's how she feels. Perspective is everything in filmmaking, and Gerwig does an exceptional job of keeping us in her protagonist's place, with perhaps a bit more awareness of the world. A special payoff comes at the end of the story. Lady Bird arrives in New York, still alienated from her mother, still brooding and unhappy. She drinks too much at a party and finds herself in the hospital. In the bed next to her in the emergency room is a very young boy, his eye bandaged, sitting next to his mother who gives him comfort. It triggers something in Lady Bird. Wandering away from the hospital, she realizes that it is Sunday morning, and she enters a church, where she listens to the tones of a choir singing. Moved to tears, she then leaves a message, apologizing, on her mother’s cell phone. That adoration for time's precious ticking clock, and for the relationships found and lost within. This brings a sensation that we have all felt - of picking up that phone and calling your mom, pressing each number as your head gets heavier and heavier and the world begins to swirl as you try to say what you've been thinking for years. It is a moment of realization and her true coming of age - versus her moments with Kyle or battles with self-confidence.

This movie has always been one of my favorites, many for personal reasons, but even removing myself from my own experiences, it is a fantastic film - and one that has touched so many lives. The film has since been nominated for five Oscars, including Best Director. This shouldn’t be any more noteworthy than another film’s success, but it is—women behind the camera rarely get mainstream recognition for their work. The nod makes Gerwig just the fifth woman nominated for directing in 90 years of Academy Awards—and the first female nominee since Kathryn Bigelow became the only woman to win, for The Hurt Locker in 2010. Greta Gerwig - and this film - certainly deserve all of this recognition and more.

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Week 7 - Greta

Greta is an excellent example to us all. We lie to our youth and tell them to recycle and save energy, yet live a highly consuming lifestyle and tell them it’s going to be okay when temperatures are rising. Greta eerily predicted that nature would fight back through diseases, heat waves, and water shortages. Here we are now in the middle of a pandemic. Everyone is waiting for things to get “back to normal” while still living a lifestyle that is damaging to the planet. Greta has stopped buying new things and has stopped flying - even to the point where she took a boat in order to visit New York.

I was caught off guard by the opening, which sees Thunberg sit down with her little sign outside the Riksdag and get entirely ignored by virtually everyone who passes her. Because this footage was professionally shot, the possibility that she wasn't yet famous hadn't occurred to me—that would require Grossman (or someone, anyway) to have lucked into witnessing/documenting the birth of a massive global movement just based on Thunberg seeming potentially interesting - and that is what happened. Grossman gets extraordinary access here, providing a perspective that, among other things, radically recontextualized my own initial view of Thunberg, which was heavily informed by her New York "How dare you!" speech. While I'd heard about her previously, that was the first time I actually saw a news clip; "It's great that someone finally got openly furious about this," I remember reading people's reaction, which stated, "but she seems borderline unhinged." Turns out there's a massive difference between reading that a teenage girl chose to sail across the Atlantic for two weeks in order to reduce her carbon footprint and seeing the psychic toll inflicted by that ethical stance. Thunberg spends the voyage dictating what I assume are journal entries (or maybe they're messages to her mother), one of which is so intense that I felt it tugging at my memory and finally realized what it reminded me of: Heather's snot-nosed close-up at the end of Blair Witch. (Thunberg's even wearing more or less the same hat!) What she does is not at all easy for her, and part of this film's value is allowing you to see her get both angrier and blunter over time as people in power keep praising her courage and fortitude but take no action. 

I Am Greta also serves, in a gratifyingly low-key way, as a portrait of someone on the autistic spectrum, demonstrating both the unique challenges they face and the unique advantages they possess. Thunberg herself speaks only to the latter, correcting a journalist who says that she "suffers from" Asperger syndrome and wishing aloud that more people would get monomaniacal about reducing emissions. But Grossman also captures intimate moments that suggest how difficult it must be to feel compelled into a spotlight that you'd generally shun. We see Thunberg, who's uninterested in small talk, meeting various world leaders and other celebrities, always being very polite but clearly having no idea what to say to them. We see her father struggle to make her eat something amid a hectic travel day. We see her get fixated on minor details and resist any help or advice, more or less whining Dad out of their hotel room. We see her unable to believe that other people at this climate conference are ordering hamburgers for lunch. Juxtaposed with these slightly awkward or anxious episodes are many, many beautiful shots of Thunberg in repose, often accompanied by her own thoughts in voiceover narration. 

I believe Grossman kinda plays it safe, delivering a film that more or less resembles what the average American might expect (and what I certainly expected) from a Greta Thunberg documentary. He also ladles an obnoxious score all over everything and ends on a rah-rah note that makes I Am Greta retroactively feel more like simple hagiography + advocacy - I believe Greta Thunberg is not your typical environmentalist and is an inspiration to us all. When she was 15, she protested outside Sweden’s Parliament every day until the election and then continued to protest every Friday. People her age made fun of her because she had Asperger’s Syndrome, and now she is one of the most celebrated people in the world. However, she sees through the falseness that pervades the political world. She has been made promises by leaders, but after two years, she has seen that they have been lying to her. By the film's end, everything reached a boiling point, and Thunberg let loose on the liars. She sounds the alarm, and it’s very important that we all change our ways.

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Week 6

1. What are your thoughts about Darnella Frazier's role as a bystander who chose to document a crime and became a brave citizen journalist in the process? What would you do in a similar situation?

Darnella Frazier is a brave young woman who was able to document a crime many would have deemed "not their issue" and walked away from the situation. Police officer Derek Chauvin pinned George Floyd down for seven minutes as Floyd repeatedly screamed he could not breathe. Chauvin's knee in the back of Floyd's chest resulted in his unjust death. Floyd was apprehended for suspicion of using a counterfeit bill - a nonviolent crime, followed by nonviolent behavior from Floyd as police cuffed and harassed him. George Floyd was a victim of racial police profiling, a crime that goes unpunished and overlooked daily in the United States. Darnella Frazier captured this cruel behavior and exposed it to the world to understand how police brutality runs rampant and is taking lives - especially those of Black and POC men. As a bystander, it is easy to stop, stare and walk on without taking any action - however, as Darnella saw this racist attack, she took the most action she could by recording this police officer murdering a Black man. While other people were recording this tragedy, Darnella was the one to post the video to Facebook, which grabbed the nation's attention. Her bravery in speaking out about George Floyd's death sharpened global focus on a policing system infected with violence, which has devalued and destroyed Black lives and has imposed its heavy hand on millions of people. As her video was shared in honor of George Floyd, large-scale protests against systemic racism began in the United States and globally. As a result of the demonstrations, numerous changes for racial equality emerged - police reforms, removal of controversial forms of symbolism, equal employment practices, and a tectonic shift in public sentiment about race. Without Darnella Frazier's hand in bringing police brutality to the public view, tragically, it is easy to conclude that the nation's new chapter in our necessary, nationwide conversation about race would not have happened.

Since May 2020, Darnella has even stated, "she wishes she had done more for George Floyd at that moment"; however, there was nothing more she could have done. Darnella was 17 at the time and a Black woman herself - in the face of racist governing entities such as the United States police force, intervening could have resulted in her injury or death - even intervening by documenting the moment is a display of true courage. In a similar situation, I would hope to do so as Darnella did, especially as a white woman who was 19 at the time; however, I am not sure I could have been as fearless. Darnella Frazier brought to light how impactful sharing such acts of violence are and has given the nation the courage to use our social media as a tool. Before her, I do not think documenting the situation would have been a reaction evoked in me. My interactions with police range from them letting me off with a warning from speeding tickets to politely waving me across the street. My whiteness exempts me from cruel racial profiling, yet, silver badges and blue uniforms still made me feel intimidated - a feeling I am sure so much more intense for Darnella; she stood tall against that intimidation. Watching how a young Black girl could have the determination to be so brave has taught me to face these intimidating powers at play when seeing acts of injustice. Darnella Frazier is a symbol of courage; because of her, an entire nation now knows how to be just as courageous.

2. Have you participated in Black Lives Matter marches and protests? Please share your experiences and your photographs in your post and in the thread below.

My first Black Lives Matter protest was in June 2020. I live in a tiny, predominantly white town in Connecticut, where the protest was held. I was deeply excited there was such support in a place where blackness wasn't commonly represented; however, it was an interesting dynamic - a protest demanding the elevation of Black voices without many of those voices present. As the protest began, the streets were piled with my neighbors, teachers, and even people from towns over and a few from out of state. At other protests I have attended, chants began, and leaders would start a march; however, at this protest, we stood in the streets with signs, petitions, and informative literature and began a discourse with local electives and each other. Being a majority white group, it felt inappropriate to take the lead on slogans and marches, as this was a time for the Black community to be at the forefront of this pursuit. Instead, it was a powerful examination of our community - why was there a lack of Black representation in our town? How can we work to make this a more inclusive place for POC communities? How can we shift the public discourse? This discourse needed to be sustained outside of the moment of "virality" the BLM movement had in the wake of George Floyd's death. A continuous work towards understanding the systemic racism created by this white community had to remain amplified. This protest was an enormous leap towards that goal as it led to local politicians and members of the community genuinely understanding BLM's vision of social change and the dissemination of antiracist ideas as local organizations for awareness were created, the high school started an education center, and our community began holding people accountable for their actions - past and present. I have been to protests in Chicago, New York, and more in Connecticut; however, my first BLM protest was an essential experience for my community and me as a white person. As an outspoken activist for social change, it feels natural for me to take charge of many ventures in my advocacy, but this was a time to show support and not speak but just listen. Taking this "backseat" as a white person allows for understanding, reflection, and conversation, as well as a willingness to examine the often uncomfortable topic of racism, even within oneself. This position taught me a lot about how to participate in discourse about racial inequality, which I have carried throughout the other BLM protests I have attended and especially in conversation with POC friends and peers - to amplify marginalized voices; you cannot just give them a "shout out," you need to hand them the mic.

(Poster a peer created for the protest) 

(I had no photos, but a video of the protest - I uploaded it as a GIF)

3. Choose one of the following young women BLM leaders who began their activism as teenagers and write a one-paragraph bio about them. Post a one-line summary in the thread: Zee Thomas, Shayla Turner, Brianna Chandler, Tiana Day.

Shayla Turner is a now 20-year-old, who uses the pronouns she and they, and has been at the forefront of protests in Chicago for Black lives and climate action since they were a teen. Her activism started in high school - protesting for climate justice and speaking out at a youth climate action in her junior year in front of thousands of people. In 2020, Shayla was a senior in high school as national attention was focused on the racist police brutality that caused George Floyd's death. Shayla and her peers had long advocated for more resources and fewer police officers in their schools, and Floyd's death compelled them to take to the streets and demand their voices be heard. She began protesting on the front lines of the Black Lives Matter movement and participated in cleanup efforts in neighborhoods devastated by looting and riots. She believed in using nonviolent resistance as her constitutionally protected form of expression. Unfortunately, Shayla Turner was not met with the same respect from the police at these protests as they threw tear gas and pushed a metal gate onto the crowd, resulting in a leg injury for Shayla. Although their advocacy was trying to be suppressed, she was not deterred. They continued to protest and even spent their high school graduation week campaigning to remove police from inside Chicago's public schools. They continue to be a powerful force in the Black Lives Matter movement.  

4. What is your assessment of Amy Sherald's portrait of Breonna Taylor and the ensuing exhibition held at the Speed Museum? Does it do her justice? (see video clip)

Amy Sherald's portrait of Breonna Taylor memorializes her strong, beautiful spirit and demands a confrontation of a life that was brutality taken too young. Sherald paints Breonna striking a powerful pose with an impenetrable glare and a fierce hand on her hip. There is no fear on her face. Wrapped in a rusted copper-colored dress, similar to The Statue of Liberty, Breonna Taylor, too, represents the virtue of justice and liberation. Her dress melts into the aquamarine background, and the monochromatic colors allow you to focus on her face. The whole painting becomes about her powerful being as she stands as a goddess would. A woman powerless in the face of lethal force is endowed with the higher power of dignity and self-possession. Sherald does a fantastic job in this portrait, as it does not memorialize Breonna Taylor's death but instead, her life. That being said, this is a life we are forced to understand is no longer here due to racial violence. Detailed on her left hand is the engagement ring Taylor would never get to wear - an acknowledgment of Taylor's future and how her life was taken from her.

The Speed Museum's exhibit "Promise, Witness, Remembrance" is thoughtful, moving, and deeply unsettling as it reflects on the life of Breonna Taylor and those lives lost to police brutality. It drives its audiences to reckon with the corrupt founding of the United States and the inefficacies of our system that are inherently indebted to that founding with the other pieces curated alongside Sherald's work. Unarmed (2018), a sculpture by Nick Cave, is found in the exhibition, which is a reflection of the persistent and unjust violence against Black, Brown, and Indigenous people in America. 

Also in the collection is Nari Wards, We The People (2011) - a piece that imitates the constitution's phrase and writing with hung-up shoelaces. While a colorful piece, there is a very mournful quality to it, with the common memorial association of throwing shoes–via the shoelace, dangling over telephone lines–in urban areas to mark the passing of life at that spot.

 Among these and other pieces, Amy Sherald's portrait of Breonna Taylor is the exhibition's centerpiece. It is a masterful example of preserving a legacy and sustaining a robust discourse.

[annamaxwell-girlinnovators]

Week 5 - Malala

Period. End of Sentence. is a short documentary that delves into the journey of the non-profit organization, The Pad Project, in achieving menstrual equity. Worldwide, women are prevented from conducting everyday lives during their periods because of social taboos and the lack of convenient, discreet, affordable pads. This documentary explores The Pad Project breaking down rural India's archaic position against menstruation. The phrase - “Period. End of Sentence” – maintains the liberation for women and girls the non-profit stands for by making the taboo of menstruation the focal point of their title. The “End of Sentence” alludes to the liberation these women are given from the jail of cultural prejudices. Overall, The Pad Projects utilizes this phrase compellingly, as signified throughout their work, film, and international programs. 

Malala Review 

Malala's story is one of immense courage and is established by the revolution she started. This book is defined by process revolution. Malala herself sparked the forcible overthrow of the social order in Pakistan in favor of educational equality. Publishing this book and her journey of changing a corrupt government seized the opportunity to share her story and continue the revolution. Since 2013 - the year the book was published - the importance of equality in women's education has come into the spotlight. No continent is free from the oppressive practices Malala writes about. Such attacks on education, unfortunately, take place all over the world, including in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. Girls are often disproportionately affected, either directly or because their parents fear for their safety, worry about sexual violence, or simply - because of traditional values or lack of education - value their daughters’ education less than their sons. International educational initiatives and powerful conversations have been launched in her name to sustain and increase the momentum she has created. Malala and her book have created a revolution that refuses to end the fight for every girl’s fundamental right to education. 

Malala frequently talks about how “Islam” stands for equality, and like most Pakistanis, Malala and her family do not support the Taliban’s version of Islam. As the Taliban took over Swat Valley, Pakistan, a regime of discrimination - destroying girls’ schools and threatening to kill girls who attend them - began destroying Islam's true meaning. Common prejudices instill that Islam is a violent, hateful religion - Malala’s book powerfully shares how that is only one corrupt sector of the faith. Malala’s family is, in fact, deeply religious, but the Taliban do not tolerate any form of Islam that differs from its own. Malala's father, a man of Islam, vehemently joined her in fighting the brutality the Taliban brought on their village, especially on women. Islamic countries want to educate their women and create an environment where equality can flourish, but deep governmental corruption has developed a pattern of violence and oppression. Malala’s journey proves how Islam believes in equality as she, by sharing how the Taliban attacked her, has changed the education system in Pakistan and how Islam is viewed.

Malala and her father were outspoken on the educational oppression of girls which led to the Taliban shooting her in the head at point-blank range at the age of 15 in an effort to silence her. When I first read Malala’s story, I was 15, taking the bus to and from school every day. My bus driver would hand out donuts sometimes, and we would pass a pretty marsh at the stop before mine. Fearing an oppressive entity would ever stop me from getting my education, let alone make an attempt on my life, was inconceivable to me. This book revealed to me how much privilege surrounds my everyday life, and while Malala’s story is powerful and harrowing, it is not an exceptional one. Around the world, women are denied access to education, often even killed for pursuing one. If Malala had not been such an outspoken figure, her attack would have gone unnoticed, just as many others have and still do and the fight for girls' education may not have ever begun. Despite all the advances in women’s rights worldwide, violence and oppression against girls and women remain among the most common human rights abuses and still need work every day.  

Malala has been given a chance to fight against this violence against women when so many suffered. As unfortunate as it sounds, she was given this chance to share her story because of the acts of violence the Taliban took against her. This attack led to an unprecedented outpouring of widespread anger and significant protests in favor of girls’ education in Pakistan and several other countries. Presidents, politicians, celebrities, and other opinion-makers, as well as many ordinary people across the world, were stirred by this grotesque attack and the specter of a brave little girl fighting for her life in the hospital. Tragically, it took something as severe as a young girl almost losing her life for the educational disparities and the corruption of the Taliban to gain notability; however, it was Malala’s courage and determination that led to the fight for women's education. 

When a girl receives an education, she has a real opportunity to break the cycle of poverty, misogyny, and prejudice in just one generation. A statistic from Intel states, “When a girl goes to school, she will reinvest 90% of her income into her family as compared to only 30-40% for a man, and when 10% more of its girls go to school, a country's GDP increases an average of 3%”. These statistics show that educating these 160 million displaced women would have a positive global impact instead of subjecting them to high female death/ illness rates, emotional and mental disorders, and destitution. Educating women would exponentially impact life quality for men and women and redefine gender roles that are still prevalent in today's society. Often women and girls are confined to fulfilling roles as mothers, wives, and caretakers, which only fuels the patriarchy. Educating women allows society to tear down the confinement of the systematic oppression we have faced for generations. It allows women to achieve equality, giving them the agency to actively participate in the workplace and be placed in roles they deserve. 

On page 309, Malala writes, “I don’t want to be thought of as the ‘girl who was shot by the Taliban’ but the ‘girl who fought for education.’ This is the cause to which I want to devote my life.” Malala Yousafzai is a selfless woman who has shared her story, which has created global development for transforming women's education. Her harrowing story did not end after she left the hospital, as she had to return the oppression placed on the Pashtun people. The power of Malala's journey is amplified by explaining the terror and lengths the Taliban took to silence her. Still, the actual impact is her endless devotion to breaking the cycle of oppression on women. Her work with The Malala Fund has brought awareness to the social and economic impact of girls' education and empowered girls to demand change. She has not focused on how she suffered but on how all women are not being given opportunities to suffer. Instead of letting the Taliban's attack define her, she has provided a platform for young people to have a voice among world education leaders, children in Pakistan, the right to access free education, and a leader for women's rights. 

There have been strides in the fight for women's equality. It is easy to believe our work is done living in 21st-century America, where we can see women in positions of power, having aces to education, and refusing the call of the patriarchy. I Am Malala challenges this esoteric view of women's rights and shows that there is still international work to be done. Even the incredible initiatives Malala has started do not end the need for work for women's education - it is important to sustain a passionate fight for equality. 

[annamaxwell-girlinnovators]

Week 4 - Joan of Arc

What do you notice about the placement of this monument? 

The Joan of Arc monument is located on Riverside Drive and 93rd Street, in a park appropriately named Joan of Arc Park. As you approach from the street, you can see the back side of the statue standing tall. Getting closer, I could see what I thought to be piles of trash stacked against the base of the statue. Immediately, I thought that to be such a disrespect, not only to any standing figure, but especially for that trash to be placed at the feet of such an heroic woman. 

However, I realized the bags were likely that of a homeless person, collecting cans, and keeping these recyclables under the statue for safe keeping. I actually found it to be quite sweet, whether the persons whose cans these belong had this intention or not, Joan of Arc was serving as a protector of their belongings as she is depicted courageously charging into battle above. On the front side of the statue, seemingly fresh flowers were placed at the base. 

The Joan of Arc monument standing tall and proud over the Hudson River, is certainly a powerful symbol, however one I think is quite hidden. Monuments are not something I often stop to pay attention to, but one I have often noticed is The Robert E. Lee Monument when visiting my grandparents in Virginia. Although it has since been removed, this symbol of racial injustice was placed in the middle of a roundabout, impossible to ignore. The Joan of Arc monument is almost tucked away, and while beautifully standing amongst the trees, the much more powerful symbol - of feminism, leadership, and courage - is much easier to walk by then that of Robert E. Lee. 

What story is being told by this sculpture? Who is represented and why do you think they were chosen? 

I found it interesting that while looking at this monument, it was quite hard to see her face, and to tell she is a woman. The common depiction of Joan of Arc is the same stance we see on Riverside Drive, mounted on a horse and charging into battle, however a decision was made here to cover her head in armor. This is not necessarily an inherently malicious choice, but comparing it to her monument in Paris, where she is seen with long hair and armor, it certainly seems to take away from the importance her womanhood had on her story. The park also provides a plastic plaque with Joan of Arcs story as well as the artists. Reading it, only 2 of the 9 short paragraphs really touch on Joan of Arc herself, allowing the rest of the text to be saved for history of the piece and the artist. The power of Joan of Arcs story is depicted through this piece much more through its history than its actual physical representation. 

Research the artist behind the monument. Are they well-represented in international collections? Are they part of art history?

Despite my surface level critiques of the statue, it is undeniable this sculpture still remains a feminist symbol for many reasons. The plaque reads that in New York, a prominent group of citizens formed a Joan of Arc monument committee in 1909. Their efforts coincided with the host of a young sculptor, Anna Vaughn Hyatt Huntington, to create a sculpture of Joan. Her first version, in which she emphasized "the spiritual rather than the warlike point of view," was submitted to the prestigious Salon in Paris. It received an honorable mention from the jury, nevertheless skeptical that such an accomplished work of art could have been made solely by a woman. The New York monument committee was so impressed by her work that they awarded her the commission. Huntington’s version is both heroic and infused with naturalistic detail. For Joan’s armor, she conducted research at the arms and armory division of the Metropolitan Museum of Art; the refinement of the equine anatomy was based on a horse borrowed from the fire department of her native town of Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Unveiled on December 6th, 1915, the Joan of Arc Memorial monument was the first statue in New York City to honor a non-fictional woman. Hyatt Huntington had transformed a historical woman commonly depicted as a humble and pious teenage servant of God into, what we see today, a courageous woman in battle. Her Joan of Arc reflects the era’s changing social norms, and fits in perfectly with the increasingly liberated image of Joan that had been gaining popularity at the turn of the century, as women struggled for their rights.

Do monuments matter? Why?

While monuments can be viewed just as pieces of art, they serve a much greater purpose, which is to preserve a moment in time. They allow the masses to freely see someone standing for something significant, and allow that person to live on as time passes. This also is a reason for intentionally choosing who we want to commemorate in almost an eternal way. Monuments have stuck such controversy in the past decade especially, and I believe rightfully so. These high standing impactful figures, should stand for a moment in which today's society should strive to recreate and respect. 

I would also love to share an article with the class about women monuments I have read before and found to be very relevant and interesting! nytimes.com/2018/07/26/nyregion/women-monuments-new-york-city.html 

[annamaxwell-girlinnovators]

Week 3 - Williams Sisters

1. Do you think the film was appropriately titled? If not, what title would you suggest?

I have seen this film before and even before ever watching it I found the title interesting. In the first bioptic about the amazing journey of the William sisters, a decision was made to try and focus the story around the patriarch of their household - that of 6 other women - suggesting it was his work that led to the William sisters success; especially by prefacing his name with “King”. While Richard Williams was a huge motivator for his children, it is Serena and Venus who have created such a powerful legacy. Certainly a more appropriate title would be the Williams Queens. That all being said - Richard Williams is a fantastic man, father, and coach. I would have loved to see a film titled King Richard that focused more on his upbringing however this movie in particular was about Veneus and Serena's successes and I wish the title reflected that.  

2. Comment on the sisterhood of Venus and Serena as depicted in the film. Does it gibe with their public personas as you perceived them over the years? How have they changed the notion of 'sisterhood' and competition in the sports landscape?

As someone who carries a competitive attitude with my own siblings it is easy to relate (on a much smaller scale) to Venus and Serena's journey navigating family and competition. The media wants them to have a harsh relationship with one another and harbor a saltiness. However, the film depicts what I believe to be a stronger representation of the true nature of their relationship - one of support and love. Serena always supported her sister even when playing with a top coach, and in turn Venus supported her younger sister when she eventually took a higher rank. Even in watching the sisters matches in real life, you can see how much love is on the court and no matter how hard the media may want a juicy story, the sisters do bring a new name to loving competition. 

3. When did you first become aware of the Williams sisters? What was your reaction when they first arrived on the tennis circuit? How did it impact you personally?

I myself am a tennis player, as is my entire family. The first tennis idol in my life was Roger Federer as my brother was an enormous fan. For the first few years of my game, my racket jacket even had his face on it. When I was about 6, I got bumped up to a higher level at tennis camp and my tennis pro was now a woman. The first day she rolled out a TV and we watched Serena's first US Open win from 1999. I absolutely fell in love with the way she dominated the court, and my tennis pro whom I had for many years onward always encouraged her players - male or female - to “play like Serena”. Reflecting back, it may be a coincidence that the first person to introduce me to the Williams sisters was in fact a woman herself, but I honestly don't think it was. While Federer is an amazing player himself, his career doesn't hold the same legacy of Williams, but he was who I was told to find inspiration in. My tennis pro showed me that there are women players that could surpass their male counterparts and is something I still remember every time I step on the court. 

4. How did the Williams sisters disrupt global tennis? Why does it matter? 

The Williams sisters revolutionized women's tennis with a lethal mix of powerful serves, groundstrokes and superb athleticism. It is especially important that it was the Williams sisters that have created this disruption because this legacy has broken down barriers for transectionaility as they are women athletes of color. It has opened up a new door and created a wave of women in pro sports - a notably male dominated field. 

5. Would you consider Venus and Serena to be 'warrior girl icons'? Explain why, and provide examples from the film.

Venus and Serena are almost the ultimate warrior girl icons. As depicted in the film, their training within itself is comparative to that of a warrior. Nothing would stop their practice - not even the rain. Their childhood neighborhood was not one of exuberance and wealth, which is the typical environment for “great tennis players”. Not only does the film depict how hard they worked to become the most successful tennis players in the world, but how they had to work twice as hard being black and being women. Most people thought them to be a charity case, when in reality they were superstars. 

6. Do you think it significant that they were both named after goddesses? Discuss how they stepped into a reinvention of Greek and Roman mythology. Does the film address this adequately? 

Venus is the Roman goddess of womanhood and beauty. Serena is a name that demands attention from the world. From those definitions alone it is clear how amazingly fitting their names are. Both the sisters not only demanded attention from the world, but earned it. They also have given a new power to womanhood and redefining what it means to participate in a “mans game”. While the film doesn't address the power of their names directly, it does show exactly how they have made such impacts. 

6. How is their mother represented in the film? Is she given equal status to the father? Thoughts on this depiction?

Brandi Williams was definitely living in her husband's shadow in her depiction in the film. Brandi is a caring, loving mother, just as much as Richard is a father and while he is the children's coach, she does just as much. This is shown in a very powerful way when Brandi takes Serena to practice by herself, showing it isn't only Richard invested in the girls' futures. 

8. What role has Serena played in raising awareness of maternal health issues specific to women of color?

After the birth of her first child in 2017, Serena has been very vocal about the health issues she encountered during pregnancy and childbirth. This has led her to team up with other public figures such as Beyonce to help spread awareness of maternal issues that women of color face - such as statistics that black women are 243 percent more likely than white women to die of pregnancy- or childbirth-related causes. In the wake of her recent pregnancy, Serena invested over $3 million to Mahmee - a maternal health organization that involves a variety specialists with women across the socioeconomic spectrum and continues to be active in the fight against maternal discrimination. 

[annamaxwell-girlinnovators]

Week 2

Homework Questions

1. What is Roe v. Wade and when was it passed? Why is it important? (1 paragraph)

Roe V. Wade gives women the right to safe and legal abortions in the United States. In 1973 a legal case concering abortion rights was brought all the way to the supreme court as “Jane Roe” took action against the Texas distict attorney, Henry Wade, as Wade arranged a constitutional ban prohibiting doctors from giving abortions 3 years prior. Reproductive rights have struck an immense amount of controversy in the United States - before, and certainly after this historical case. On June 24, 2022 abortions legality was again brought to the Supreme Court and ruled in Dobbs v. Jackson - overturning Roe v. Wade. The devastation this decision has brought has stripped women, mostly WOC, power over their own body and given it back to the lawmakers of this country. Roe v. Wade was not only important that woman have rights to their own body, but women will continue to seek abortions and suffer preventable consequences.

2. What is the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution? Which US Congressperson recently publicly revealed her ignorance about this amendment? What are your thoughts about this? (1-2 paragraphs)

For 143 years, women were not given the right to vote in the United States - the American democratic system had no space for women as that was the white man's game. In 1848, the Women's Suffrage Movement began to dismantle this toxic system in place. This movement worked tirelessly for equality, educational and professional opportunities for women and the right of women to no longer fall under the control of men. Their ability to insight radical change led to women's voting rights to be the central issue of the movement. 1920 marked a historical changed in these women's fight for equality as the 19th Amendment was ratified - stating “the right to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

At the beginning of 2022, Congresswomen Lauren Boebert shared a tweet saying “The Constitution was always meant to evolve, and has evolved over time. The Founding Fathers intended the document to be flexible in order to fit the changing needs and circumstances of this country.” A statement which could potentially be a very powerful one when questioning outdated laws such the 2nd amendment, however in a recent debate, Boebert took issue with the 19th amendment instead and revealed she didn't even know what this amendment was relating to. For someone - a sitting Congressperson nonetheless - to speak so publicly about the Constitution it would be assumed they at least have some knowledge of what they are referring to. It is disheartening to see that we can have such ignorant members of our government be allowed to make any decisions on law and policy. 

3. Are you registered to vote? 

Yes! I registered the day I turned 18. 

4. Visit Olivia Julianna on Twitter (Links to an external site.) or TikTok (Links to an external site.). Choose a Twitter thread or TikTok video to upload for messaging effectiveness. Explain why you chose it. Does her work inspire you to take action? How? (1-2 paragraphs) 

Prior to this, I had never read or seen any of Olivia Julianna’s content or heard of her story. To get a better understanding of who she is I read her article with Teen Vouge. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/olivia-julianna-gen-z-for-change-texas-profile. Not only did I find her to be inspirational - but I was astonished at some of the politicians, such as Matt Gaetz, viciousness towards this young girl. 

I chose to visit Olivia’s TikTok page and loved her content. The TikTok she posted on September 1st criticizes Republican election rhetoric stating “there is a red wave coming” and how wrong they were. Olivia uses her youthful enthusiasm to intelligently examine how the Democrats have been taking action, winning special elections, and gaining votes for important laws and acts such a aboprtion protection, student debt forgiveness and much more. Olivia’s video reached over 425,000 people and her hashtag #bestiebeto has over 9.2 million views. This kind of exposure on TikTok, a platform full of young people searching for information, is so effective for positive change and inspiring people to go vote, and research their politicians. I also really enjoyed that Olvia’s focus wasn't to disparage Republican politicians but to uplift the work of Democratic leaders. While there is sometimes a space for criticism, Olivia uses her platform to spread thoughtful, correct, influential information - some of which I wasn't even aware of. Her content inspires me to continue to research and learn more about the midterm elections. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@0liviajulianna/video/7138501761056296238?_r=1&_t=8VoyBsn7cFP&is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=7138501761056296238 

5. Who has the nickname #RapeyMcForehead and why? Do you think it's justified or an example of negative polarization?  (1-2 sentences)

Matt Gaetz, a United States Representative, has earned himself this title of  #RapeyMcForehead due to being under investigation for sex trafficking and his notably large forehead. To be honest at first this name did make me laugh, and as I stated before I think there are proper times for criticism. However, the comedic aspects of the nickname almost stripes away the horrendous acts he committed and makes it less serious. I believe serious action needs to be taken against him, but maybe there are more powerful ways to accomplish this. 

6. EXPLORE THE GUTTMACHER INTERACTIVE MAP (Links to an external site.): What are your thoughts on the restictive abortion laws recently passed in Idaho, South Dakota, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi? Will this backfire in the 2022 mid-term elections? Choose one state and summarize their abortion rights or protections. It's okay to edit from Guttmacher's text. (1-2 paragraphs)

I chose to examine West Virginia as it is the state closest to us, so I was interested in knowing what their policies were. 

Taken from Guttmachers website: Abortion policies currently in effect in West Virginia include the following:

Abortion is completely banned with very limited exceptions

State constitution explicitly excludes abortion rights

Patients forced to wait 24 hours after counseling (not required to be in-person) to obtain an abortion

State Medicaid coverage of abortion care is banned except in very limited circumstances

Medication abortion must be provided in person because state bans the use of telehealth or mailing pills or requires in-person visit

Parental consent or notice is required for a minor's abortion

Only physicians can provide abortions and not other qualified health care professionals

The complete ban of abortion will not stop the act of abortions, but only the ability for women to get safe procudures done. Instead, people will be forced to seek dangerous alternatives which could even result in death. By not covering the expense of abortions through Medicaid it harms the lowerclass of women and specifically woman of color, forcing them to again seek alternative abortions. Abortions are not something every woman wants to explain to their loved ones or even a stranger on the street - it can be a very emotional process for some people, and even very personal. The policy stating in-person visits and parents consent deeply violates those aspects of abortion rights. 

It is hard to believe after so many years of postovive tragectory, in 2022 woman are faces with such deep discrimination. However, in the November midterms I believe these abortion bans will play in the Democrats favor. You do not have to be a woman to see how cruel and unusual these bans are - and across the country people are taking a firm stand against these politicians pushing them through. For example, a few weeks ago in Kansas, a predominantly conservative state, the people voted on a ballot initiative to protect abortion rights in the state. Not only did this measure pass but it passed by 165,000 votes. I believe and hope to see this pattern continue. 

[annamaxwell-girlinnovators]

Girl Innovators Week 1

Hi everyone! 

I’m Anna and this is my first semester at the New School after transferring from another university - and I absolutely love it so far! As I am still new to campus if anyone has any recommendations on how to become more active I would love to hear them! I majoring in Screen Studies and I am extremely excited to be taking this course! 

A major factor of me wanting to explore this class is that I have always felt extremely under informed about powerful women in media and society and felt like a bad feminist because of it - that I couldn't participate in intellectual conversations with my female peers I so desperately wanted to be a part of. I know these women are out there, doing inspiring, groundbreaking things so I don’t know if I was not looking for them in the right places, or my timeline was over saturated with models and memes. While this is my proactive step to becoming more informed, I still have that sense of embarrassment about my ignorance but am working towards redefining what feminism looks like in my life. That all being said, there are still many girl innovators that I believe to be an inspirations however might not be the typical image of an inspirational woman. 

Many people discuss the negative effects the Kardashian family has had on the world - how their media presence, plastic surgery, and gluttonous attitudes cause danger to the malleable minds of young people - girls in particular - and honestly I agree with a lot of those opinions. But in my effort to redefine what a girl innovator looks like and how there is no perfect model for what a feminist looks like I am choosing Kim Kardashian as my first inspiration. Love her or hate her - it is undeniable the massive influence Kim and her family has on the world. Why I have found her to be an inspiration in my life is because I have a huge respect for how she has decided to use this influence. Kim first gained her popularity from a leaked sex tape in the early 2000′s with her then boyfriend Ray-J. She was harshly judged, ridiculed, and labeled a “trashy slut” - just for engaging in act that almost everyone has participated in. However in the past 15 years - Kim has worked tirelessly to knock down these labels. After being a business tycoon for years, Kim Kardashian began to pivot her focus towards politics. In 2018, she began her journey into law through working with her attorneys to grant clemency for a woman, Alice Marie Johnson, who had been imprisoned for over two decades for a first time nonviolent offense. Kim used her power and influence to speak to the white house and was able to free Johnson soon after. Since, Kim Kardashian has free dozens of people in similar situations, freed innocent people from death row, and passed the baby bar exam - on track to becoming a full attorney at law. Kim has been considered a talentless leech because she values exterior beauty and material things but I am not ashamed to admit, I value those things too. She has taken her negative connotations, completely transformed her image and her massive power to do amazing things. Kim Kardashian has shown me that just because I enjoy a good pair of shoes and a fresh manicure doesn't mean I am any less of a feminist - I can be both. I can still strive to make change, be active, and fight for what I believe in. Although some might call this an interesting choice, Kim Kardashian is absolutely an innovator as she redefines feminism. 

Now, a woman who falls under a more typical scope of the term “girl innovator” that is undoubtedly a huge force in my life is Lucille Ball. Lucille Ball gained popularity in the 1950s for her comedy show “I Love Lucy”, which completely changed television history. The power of the show stems from Lucilles groundbreaking ability to be the main character, versus her male counterparts. Although she was depicted as the typical 50′s housewife, staying home cooking and cleaning - Lucille still managed to use this sitcom to showcase her talent, gaining massive respect and becoming an American tv legend. Not only was she known for her quick wit and fiery red hair, she was also a powerful female figure off the screen, just as much as she was on. Lucille was the first woman to run a major television studio, which produced a number of popular television shows including Star Trek, Mission Impossible, and The Andy Griffith Show. She was one-half of the first interracial couple ever presented on TV; and she climbed hurdles to be the first pregnant woman to play a pregnant woman on television. She proved to world in time where women truly were thought just as a mans other half, that she possessed just as much ability as anyone else, and maybe even more. As a woman in media myself, I owe so much to Lucille Ball. She paved the way for so many women - many of which were just as inspirational and groundbreaking as she was. I might not be able to pursue my dreams if it were not for her work.