girlqueens

[girlqueens]

Final Project:)

Here's a link to my website containing testimonials of people's experiences with climate change! Enjoy!

[girlqueens]

Week 10

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

I believe that the Warrior Girl Icon does not conform to world and roles being pushed upon her. She stands up for what she believes in even if that means having a long fight of opposition against her. She does not let fear hinder her, she looks it straight in the eye and walks past it. The Warrior Girl Icon is unrelenting and demonstrates physical and mental strength. She leads and takes pride in her female identity. One of my favorite girl warrior icons is Aibileen Clark in The Help. Despite the fear of getting fire, arrested, or killed, Aibileen speaks up about the horrid and racist experiences she has gone through as a housekeeper in white households for most of her life in a book being written by a white ally. In speaking up, she encouraged dozens of other housekeepers to speak up about their experiences as well, ultimately ending with a book filled with testimonies that exposed the racism in Mississippi during the height of the Civil Rights Movement.

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

Include reference to these concepts:

"The problem of gender violence is not a legal problem, but a cultural problem."

"Culture changes faster than genes."

"Speak without shame and stand with me and bring about the change you want to see."

Priya's Shakhti is a powerful graphic novel. It was refreshing to see a story that actually reflects the troubles women around the world have to face when it comes to sexism and GBV. Often, many of the horrid acts and hardships women have to endure are watered down in storytelling because they aren't "appropriate" for children (in my opinion that is just an excuse, and really companies just care about profit and don't want to release anything that might tarnish their brand image) this is prominent in many Disney animations and other graphic novels such as Baby Mouse.

The graphic novel addresses the fact that gender violence is a cultural issue. We live in a society where men view themselves as more than women. When crimes against women are committed we are blamed and are told to get over it. The other day, while I was at work (as a wedding server) a male guest in his late 60's walked straight into me and held on to me for a second and then touched my butt before walking away. When I went to my supervisor to notify her that I was touched inappropriately by a guest, she said "that will happen to you", other female waitresses agreed saying "men will be men." It infuriated me that this was the response and was shrugged off so effortlessly. But I suppose it wasn't my supervisor or other women severs' faults, this is just the mentality that has been engrained in our culture, women are told it's "no big deal." But it is and that's why we have to work together as fellow sisters to change the narrative.

Culture can and will change faster than waiting on people's genetic make up to change and hope they are different. We as a collective have to come together and change this engrained mindset. If the masses are bringing awareness to GBV and sexism and doing everything in their power to condem it and educate people against it then eventually the societal mindset will shift. The quote "speak without shame and stand with me and bring about the change you want to see" says it all. If we want to see change we need to speak up without fearing what may happen. When ones speaks up it encourages others to do the same. If everyone is enraged and speaking out about the same thing, that is when change happens.

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)?

What continues to be breakthrough and change-making about these speeches? What has changed?

How has their presence on the public stage at that time and since then expanded the definition of a fearless 'Warrior Girl'?

These speeches are still extremely relevant today. Gun violence is still a major threat in everyone's lives. Mass shootings are still regularly happening. There have been almost 40,000 deaths caused by gun violence in the U.S. this year. We are still fighting for our lives. These speeches are extremely emotional because they recognize and say the names of those who lost their lives due to guns. They make it clear that lives matter, and those who lost them are not just some statistic. Emma Gonzales's speech was especially effective as she was silent for half of it equaling the exact amount of time the shooting at her school lasted for. The silence was uncomfortable, emotional, and impactful. Both these girls are Warrior Girls. They stood up in front of millions of people and spoke up on something others are afraid to do. They called out issues with gun legislation and brought awareness to something to effects so many people. They have been unrelenting in their fights against gun violence and continue to be activists today.

[girlqueens]

Final Project Proposal

Many people are still in denial about the climate crisis because they haven't experienced, or had to the tools to recognize, the effects of it on them and around them. For my final project, I would like to create a website that is comprised of testimonials from people from all different places stating how the climate crisis has impacted them. My goal is to gather a large amount of testimonials and to show people that the climate crisis is happening right now all around us. Hopefully when people read these testimonials they might relate and recognize changes caused by the crisis in their own lives. The website will also include brief summary of climate change, and provide links and suggestions on ways we can help fight it but the main focus of the site will be the testimonials. I want people to feel something and to spark emotion when they read these stories. I plan to open a forum on reddit to collect the testimonials.

[girlqueens]

Week 9

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

I think it is inspiring and quite refreshing to see so many depictions of supernatural powers positively bestowed upon young women in the media today. I think it is very reflective of the times and the generational shift that begun in the 90s. It is quite clear that prior to the 90s that the thought of women with powers was a scary though, specifically for men. Women with powers were depicted negatively or as a joke. I think this has to do with power and religion in American during these times. Prior to the 90s, most families throughout America were regular church goers and a large percentage of them were Christians of some sort. It is no secret that religion has been used as a way for men and higher up officials to hold power over people, specifically women, since colonists stole the land here. If you think back to the Salem Witch Trials the women executed were not witches, they were given this title so people would fear them and so that women were easier to control, if you acted in a way that was not proper in the eyes of the church you were automatically a witch.

2. How is magical power related to adolescence?

I think magical power relates heavily to the notion that a child can be whatever they want to be when they grow up some day. Magic makes everything seem possible and that is exactly what a kid needs to learn in adolescence. Children need to be reminded that it is okay to think outside the box and that it is okay to be different. The concept of magical power promotes individuality and the idea that the world is what you decide to make it. So often kids are told from a young age what they can can't do and who they should and shouldn't be, the depictions of magical powers in media address that and show that it is okay to break free from those confinements.

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

For the first time in a long time girls and young women are being depicted as all powerful beings. There is nothing more inspiring than rooting for a fellow girl on a show and following her journey as she unlocks all the powers within herself. It shows young girls that they are capable of doing anything they set their minds to and shows first hand all the amazing things that can happen when women are leaders. The girls of this generation are being shown that they are in control of their destiny and are more powerful than any man. We just need to support each other and look deep within ourselves. Women are a sisterhood, and when we all work together that is where the true magic begins.

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

I grew up watching Wizards of Waverly Place on Disney Channel starring Selena Gomez. As a young girl, I looked at Selena's character Alex as a role model. In the show, she is the only girl sibling out of her two brothers. The series chronicles their journey on who will become the family wizard and take their other siblings power for themselves. In the beginning of the series, Alex is constantly putting herself down and repeatedly states that she will never win and become the family wizard. As the show progresses, we see her journey of self love and self confidence grow until the series finale when we she finally wins and becomes the all powerful wizard. Selena Gomez is also fierce advocator for mental health awareness, is an LGBTQ alley, and has spoken of women's reproductive rights in real life. She has detailed many of her own mental health struggles within her music.

5. Do you see a correlation between the career opportunities of these young women performers, the roles they have played,  and their evolution as feminists?

People are chosen for parts because in some form or another they embody that role in a way that is successful. All of these women, share traits with the characters they have played, and i'm sure have brought a bit of themselves into the characters to make them more believable. Their evolutions into becoming feminists are not coincidental, these women spent years playing powerful women because they are powerful women. They had the platform to speak on issues that not many other women have and did which is inspiring and took courage. It's also important to note many female celebrities often face hardships, scrutiny, and injustice because they are women in the film/television industries, these injustices make even more crucial for them to speak up on matters that are important.

[girlqueens]

Week 8

Film: Vagabond 1985

Who is the director? (a brief bio)

The director of this film is Agnes Varda, a pillar in the the 1950s and 1960s French New Wave film movement. She is a french film director who has spent her career creating films that address women’s issues and other social commentaries surrounding the times. All of her work uses protagonists that a marginalized in some form or another in society, many of these protagonists being females. She was one of few female filmmakers during the height of her career and helped allow women to have a voice within cinema.

What do you identify as unique to the female perspective and the 'female gaze' in the film?

The film’s central theme revolves around freedom of women and the constraints surrounding a woman’s freedom in society. The movie is quite unique in the way the theme is shown as the main protagonist is a female vagrant (whether a vagrant by choice or not by choice could be argued) and the audience is being told the events that took place before her death through a series of flashbacks and interviews of the people who saw her in her final months. The protagonists perspective is quite interesting because I feel that most women don’t typically associate having total freedom with being a hitchhiker but this unique lense helps to address a larger societal problem, men see women as objects they can control and don’t like what happens when a woman tries to free herself completely of that control.

What rite of passage in the protagonist(s) life/lives does this story explore? What fresh perspective, if any, does the director bring to this story? Are sexual or gender taboos traversed in the process?

I have many thoughts regarding the themes and events that take place throughout the film. The main character Mona, is shown dead at the very beginning of the film and the rest of the film shows her life in the months leading up to her death. We learn that she is a hitchhiker and just going wherever the wind blows her. Mona has interactions with many different people and all of these different people are contributes in one way or another to the bigger societal theme in hand, the suppression of women. Mona came across many men during her travels and every single man either sexualized her in some way, shamed her, or wanted to be a sort of savior figure in her life. None of the men could accept the idea of a women being totally on her own and being content living each day with no plan or intentions. One can gather that Mona decided to become a hitchhiker because she was tired of the expectations being bestowed upon her in her prior life, she clearly felt the pressures of being a woman and thought hitchhiking would bring her the absolute freedom she craved, which it did at first but we can by the end of the film Mona is beaten down and finally surrenders to the realization there is no true escape or freedom from being a women, no matter where she went nothing would change as long as a power imbalance remained within society between men and women.

Does this film shed new light on the mother/daughter and family relationships? How?

This film touches more upon a woman’s role within the home and their family. There are multiple instances within the film that show women as caretakers. Yolande takes care of the old woman and supports her boyfriend and is clearly miserable and lonely having to do that. The family on the goat farm shows the woman as a wife and a mother constantly juggling working on the farm and caring for her he child and husband. One can tell she has adapted to that way of life and lacks joy and well freedom because she is bound to being a wife and a mother. The young girl in the beginning of the film that Mona asks for water, is seen feeling envious of the freedom she feels like Mona must have, these thoughts are automatically shut down by her mother, who is clearly grooming her to know what the expected responsibilities of a woman are—this is apparent as she serves her family dinner while shutting her daughters comments down. We also are shown the woman professor Mona meets. The professor is a single older woman who dedicates her life to her work, this being a commentary on how educated women can be seen as a problem for men and are less desirable.

Describe the most startling/indelible/breakthrough scene of the film.

I think one breakthrough moment within the film that resonated with me the most is when the nephew is on the phone after seeing Mona again and says “She asked if i’m afraid of her and the truth is I am, I am afraid of her filth and how she disgusts me.” I think this statement puts the audience straight into the brain of a man. In this instance, we can truly see how much a woman who is living her life out of anyones control, causes male bystanders to be threatened. For a moment in this scene, I thought he was going to try to help Mona but instead he hoped she would completely self destruct because he feared her independence and would rather see her demise than risk her regaining her strength of mind.

Has the film received the recognition it deserved? Why or why not?

It appears that in years following its initial release the film was a success. It was the highest grossing film in the box office the year it was released. It was nominated and won many prestigious film awards at places such as the Venice Film Festival. While it was a major success and has received many accolades, in my opinion the most successful films remain well known well past their time. I personally have never heard of this film before and it was extremely difficult to find and access online to watch, I think the combination of these two things have made the film more unknown today, which is a shame as many of the messages throughout the film are still extremely relevant to this day.

[girlqueens]

Week 7

Assignment #1

Watch the Van Gogh Soup incident videos and respond to the question posed on TikTok: Is She Right? What is your impression of this form of activism? is it effective? Did the action have the intended impact? (one sentence for each)

I have mixed feelings regarding this incident. While I understand the point they were trying to make and they stated they did it knowing the painting wouldn't be harmed I still wonder what would have happened if there may have been a crack in the class and part of the painting accidentally did get ruined in the process, you really can never be too sure of what may happen. And in the TikTok she mentioned how this is not the first time they have done this and they have even went as far to glue themselves to paintings before. While I think this form of activism grabs attention, I think it causes people to become more angry than anything else. Art is a major piece of history that is important that we preserve so risking ruining it is alarming but then again their point is without a planet there will be no art, let alone people.

Assignment #2 Required reading: A Bigger Picture by Vanessa Nakate and No One is Too Small to Make a Difference  by Greta Thunberg

"A Bigger Picture" chronicles Nakate's journey as a black climate activist in Uganda. The book begins by telling the story of Nakate being cropped out of a photograph that featured her and 4 white women activists from Europe while attending the 2019 World Economic Forum. She went into detail about how this was a defining moment for her in realizing the inequality and lack of representation that is engrained within the global climate movement. In the book, she discusses how the Global South is currently effected the most by the climate crisis yet those who live in those regions voices are constantly silenced and not heard. She emphasizes how Western/American culture constantly labels climate change as a thing of the future but doesn't recognize that it is happening NOW because many voices are being silenced.

Nakate also goes into detail about her personal experience growing up in Uganda and recounts the struggle to gather basic essentials for human life such as water and being able to breathe clean air. She also discusses gender roles in her country and how not only did they limit her and other girls from being able to partake in movements and protests but they also were caused by climate change itself. The precarious conditions financially caused by climate change created a need for more gendered roles specifically since money was tight. Climate change hinders an area's economics substantially there for also creating less access/funding for education in some regions.

"No One is Too Small to Make a Difference" is compilation of 19 year old Greta Thunberg's most notable speeches she has made at different climate rallies within the last 4 years in the climate activist spotlight. In many of her speeches throughout the book, such as Almost Everything is Black and White and Im Too Young to Do This she brings attention to the fact that the Climate Crisis is not being spoken or taught about enough. That is needs to be broadcasted on TV constantly and in all the newspaper headlines so people know that it is real and it is happening. She talks about how the solutions to the problems are already worked out by many scientific leaders, but these solutions are not being implemented. Instead, people are silenced and no one talks about it.

Thunberg states "To me that is black or white. There are not grey areas when it comes to survival. We either go one as a civilization or we don't." This is one of the most bone-chilling statements in the book, simply because of it's raw truth. She discusses how everything is cause and effect, and one of the most important themes she discusses is equity. She simply states that if the countries that have everything don't care about the climate crisis, then how can we expect that countries who have nothing and are effected the most to care. This question brings up a good point about the morals we have of a society and how we can overlook the suffering currently being experienced by our fellow brothers and sisters in other countries already experiencing drastic effects of climate change.

Assignment #3

What challenges did they overcome to become leaders? What is unique about their career paths and offerings? What solutions and innovations do they offer? Why do you think they are among so many women leading the charge on climate?

Leah Penniman is the owner of Soul Fire Farm and author of the book Farming While Black. Penniman spent most of her adult life living in a food desert, a region where access to nutricious and healthy foods that are affordable are limited, these areas also don't have food markets nearby making grocery shopping difficult at times. Tired of seeing her community struggle she bought her own farm outside of the city where she started focusing on regenerative farming. In her journey, she focused heavily on healing the soil. Utilizing different methods of composting and increasing the biodiversity in the landscape she was able to produce soil rich in nutrients that also did its part in housing proper amounts of CO2 reducing GHG emissions. She also focused on teaching the youth POC in her community by creating a program that allowed them to learn how to work on the farm and emphasized the importance of connecting with the soil and following ancestral methods of farming. Food produced on the farm would be portioned and given to members of the community, helping to fight against the problem of food deserts. Regenerative farming helps to fight against greenhouse gas emissions that the traditional agricultural farming methods are responsible for. It eliminates the toxic fertilizers and chemicals these farming methods use and utilizes natural methods instead. Penniman has spearheaded a movement that is educating the youth and communities in so many different important areas. She has experienced the effects of the climate crisis first hand which qualifies her to take charge and teach from her experience.

[girlqueens]

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?

I think Darnella Frazier is a hero. Too often do we see people who turn a blind eye to the crimes that are going on around us in everyday life. Darnella realized that the damage that could be done to a whole population of people was was worse than the damage that could be done to her if she spoke up. Fear did not stop her from doing the right thing. This event, reminds us how important bystanders are how much of a difference we can really make. Our country is supposed to be a democracy, the people are supposed to monitor and speak up about the wrong doings of the government and its officials. If I were in Darnella's position or a similar one I wouldn't have done anything different. It's important to capture proof of these wrong doings and possibly interject in them to stop them from happening again.

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.

I have not participated in any BLM marches or protests due to the height of them being during covid lockdown, which hindered me from being able to participate but I did do everything I could to participate online. I reposted videos documenting injustices, spoke about them on social media platforms, I provided links and names/addresses of Black owned and led businesses and foundations for people to support. To this day, I still try and support as many black owned businesses as I can. Here is a list of Black owned businesses and black led-foundations you can support:

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.

Tiana Day, was just a normal teenage girl who had never been involved in any type of protest before and didn't consider herself an activist until she saw the George Floyd video. She then went on to organize many protests including the first ever Black Lives Matter protest on the Golden Gate Bridge. She also discovered that she came from a long line of activists within her family that were also apart of the fight against racial injustice and police brutality. In her quest for more youth to join her in the fight for racial equality, she went on to create a nonprofit, "Youth Advocates for Change", who's mission is to encourage and normalize youth voices and to help inspire youth to take action on different social injustice issues. Since, the organization's creation there are now more than 150 chapter members all throughout the U.S.

4. What is your assessement 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)

I found Sherald's portrait of Breonna to be extremely thought provoking and inspiring. It is a reminder of Breonna's story and that she would want us to keep fighting for what is right. The look in her eyes in the painting stares right into your soul. I find her eyes to be extremely uplifting, in a way saying "you know what you need to do now." The ensuing exhibition was also incredible. Watching that video clip brought tears to my eyes. You could feel the emotion of the space through the screen. It perfectly depicted how long this fight has been going on and makes whoever views it wonder when enough will finally be enough. When will the injustice be over? This space absolutely does her justice, I felt the emotion of the space and I wasn't even in the space.

[girlqueens]

Week 5

What does the title "Period. End of a sentence" mean to you?

I think this is a brilliant tile for this film. So often, girls are made to feel ashamed of their periods. As a 21 year old women, I still get uncomfortable mentioning i'm on my period at times simply because of other people's reactions if I mention it. Something so natural has become so deeply stigmatized, we are made to feel ashamed at times. The title, helps to normalize the word and concept of menstruation. In a way is basically saying, "yeah i have a period, so what?" which I find extremely empowering.

If you could describe this book in one word what would that be?

I would describe this book as illuminating. Malala's story is truly inspiring. Before reading this book, I did not know who Malala was or know much about what was taking place in Pakistan. As Americans, I feel we tend to lump the entire middle east together into one at times. We know there is conflict going on over there, that conditions are poor, but rarely does the average person know the history of the lands and the root issues these conflicts have stemmed from. This book shed light on some of these issues for me and as I read it it was horrifying envisioning some of the atrocities that take place, I couldn't even imagine having to live it. This book reminds me how privileged I am that I have never had to experience hatred and inequality to this scope and makes me want to do everything I can to fight for the women and children in these countries who have to live this every single day.

2. What does this book reveal about Islam, women, girls and education?

This book reveals how women are viewed as objects and nothing more in the Islam culture. Malala reveals how deeply flawed the belief system and practices surrounding women that take place within the culture are from the time of birth. In the beginning of the book, she talks about how when she was born not many people congratulated her father or celebrated her birth. She spoke about how this was a common occurrence, how only men were thought to be able to do great things and make something successful of themselves. Women are merely viewed as baby makers and care takers within the culture. Their voices are silenced and risk being killed if they do speak up. Women are not guaranteed education, it is thought to be only a men's right. Many Islam men/systems fear how truly powerful a women can become once she has education as a tool.

3. What elements of chance are crucial to her story? 

I believe the first occurrence of chance within Malala's story was her birth. Her parents had previously had an unsuccessful pregnancy and by chance were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, who her father could feel was going to do something great one day. It was a matter of chance that Malala would be on the bus that day when the Taliban was looking for her. It was a matter of chance when she was shot and that there was someone there to drive her to safety and get her help. She got a second chance when she SURVIVED. And she has not wasted any of these chances. From the time she was small to the aftermath of the shooting she has done everything she can to advocate for women's education all over the world, she has not let fear hinder her.

4. Unesco estimates over 160 million girls worldwide are not educated due to refugee status, war relocation, poverty and gender preference.  What would the world look like if all girls were educated? What do you think would change?

I think girls would run the world if all of us were educated. Girls are powerful beings, we intuitive, inspired, and are strong mentally and physically. We carry great ambition and when we work together we are unstoppable. As women, we have these shared experiences that only fuel our bonds and make us stronger. I think if all women were educated, many archaic and unequal systems would be dismantled permanently. I believe peace would be more attainable for many areas of the world if it were educated women overseeing the peace making processes. Those who have once been oppressed in some way and know how it feels are the ones who will best understand how to help those who are still oppressed.

5. What is your favorite quote from the book? Please explain why.

Malala mentions a Pashtun saying "Without honor, the world counts for nothing." In the context of the book, Malala is referring to Pashtun men and a belief system that has been long rooted in the history of Swat. This quote resonated with me deeply. I found the hypocrisy of this quote quite interesting, the Pashtun people believe it is so important to have honor and to come together when fighting a common enemy but do not have honor towards a large percentage of their own people, women. Honor means to regard or treat someone or something or a cause with respect or admiration. This whole book shows speaks about how many women in the culture don't receive even the slightest resemblance of honor. In my opinion, Malala has taken this quote that was originally spoken by men about men, and has upheld this saying through a women's lenses. I find that truly inspiring.

6. What positive global messages does this book provide, and why does it continue to be relevant?

This book stresses the importance of educating ourselves about other cultures so we are able to better understand them and help to facilitate peace in the future. It is a reminder that while some of us may live comfortably in a very modern society with basic human rights, there are parts of the world where people live everyday with the fear to speak up amidst ongoing wars and injustices in their countries. Most importantly, it reminds us not to take education for granted. In many places, being educated is a privilege, not a right and we must fight to help change that.

[girlqueens]

Week 4

Hi Everyone!

This monument is located in Pen Argyl, PA. This was the small town Jayne had grown up in. It’s located in a local cemetery in her family’s plot. The placement doesn’t really stand out.

This week I decided to visit an unconventional local Monument in the Slate Belt region located in Pennsylvania. This is the grave of Jayne Mansfield, a pivotal woman figure in history. She was a well-known Hollywood star in the 50s and 60s. She redefined the ideal “skinny body type norm” of the era and embraced her curvy body type becoming a well known sex symbol. She was an inspiration to young women of her time for her body positive attitude. This very large and avant-garde headstone. It represents the love her family, fans, and town had for her. The size of the tombstone and the unique heart shape signify she was an important figure. Mickey Hargity, her ex husband picked out and designed the headstone for her in hopes that it would convey the love everyone had for her.

Monuments are important because they keep alive the stories of those they are representing. They are everyday reminders of how those that came before us contributed to making the world the place we live in now. They also remind us how important it is to do our part for future generations that come after us.

[girlqueens]

Week 3

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

Yes, I would most definitely say think film was given the proper title. The focus of the film isn’t on Venus and Serena, it’s on their father who acts for the majority of the movie as the ruler of his family much like a king. He controls every aspect of his daughters lives and it was very difficult to tell him things were going to be any other way than how he saw fit.

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?

I relate a lot to the relationship Venus and Serena had in the film to my own sisters and I. In the film, you can see them as children having beautiful genuine moments with one another highlighting the bond between the two sisters. They are still very young here before pressures began to increase tremendously upon the two so it’s really easy to see the foundation of their relationship, true love for one another. As they get older, the nature of their passion definitely appears to divide them alittle with alot of focus being put on Venus at times rather than Serena. Just like most siblings, occasional jealousy would arise within Serena but she never let that consume her and not be proud of her sister. They could’ve let the competitive nature of their sport tear them apart but instead they bonded over the shared experience of making it as far as they did together. Prior to this film, I knew the sisters as famous tennis players but did not know a lot about them individually or their relationship as sisters. They always appeared from the outside to have a loving bond with each other.

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 can’t quite pinpoint exactly when I became aware of the Williams sisters but I would say I was relatively young, probably a preteen. I found it refreshing that the were two beautiful and powerful women of color dominating the predominantly white tennis scene. I felt proud and happy for all the POC that I know that finally had representation within the sport. It was really inspiring.

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

Like I mentioned in my response above, and that is majority expressed within the film, tennis was predominantly a white persons sport. There were not many POC of any race in the league at all. This opened up a world of possibility for all POC, little African American, boys and girls now had representation in the sport and that alone gave confidence and inspiration that they could someday play too and this goes for other sports as well. They added the much need diversity the tennis industry needed. They also allowed tennis to not be a male dominated sport as well, they were top overall tennis players in the world, better than some MALE tennis players. They made women’s tennis more respected and competitive.

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

I most definitely would consider these women to be warrior girl icons. They were passionate and determined to become great and they did not let anyone or anything stop them from doing just that. This is especially apparent towards the end of the movie when Serena is feeling left out because she wasn’t excelling at the rate of her sister and when soon after Venus loses against Vicario in the tournament. Both are going through a hard time struggling with this feeling of being defeated and beaten down but they both rise like a warrior would. They both got up after falling and continued to march on in the quest to becoming great.

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?

I think their names capture these goddesses perfectly. The goddesses of victory and the titian of the moon. Victor and Titans are words I would use to capture the sisters perfectly and I think the film nails it’s depiction of these traits within the sisters throughout the film. They are both unrelenting titans and they are not just victors on the court but it is made clear that they are in their hearts throughout the film as well.

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

Their mother grew a lot throughout the film. She started off as an almost submissive wife just going along with the whims and wants of Richard. They’re wee unequal in their marriage. In the beginning of the movie she seems to back down from her arguments quickly and let Richard have his way. But as the movie continues, I think her daughters inspire her to become more outspoken. She no longer allows herself to be walked all over, she constantly reminds Richard that it is “their” family not just his. She becomes a fierce defender of herself and the girls. This was a great example of women inspiring other women.

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

Serena went through difficulty during and after pregnancy. Her pregnancy was extremely high risk and she suffered a pulmonary embolism during childbirth and she also suffered postpartum depression after giving birth. She has been very vocal about her experience and has made an effort to use her platform to stress the importance of maternal healthcare and the racial inequalities within the healthcare system making it difficult for women of color to receive the same standard of care as white women.

[girlqueens]

Week 2

Roe vs. Wade was passed in 1973 and gave women the constitutional right to have an abortion. This is extremely important because up until this ruling women were at the mercy of their states's legislation regarding whether on not they could have one. Most states prior to Roe v. Wade made it extremely difficult, impossible for some, to have to procedure done. This resulted in many women getting abortions in secret without the safety of being in an equipped hospital setting, resulting in many deaths and complications. Those who were pregnant and deemed high risk also didn't have the luxury to chose their own life first.

The 19th Amendment to Constitution ensures that all people in the United States have the equal right to vote and can not be denied this vote due to their gender. Recently the Congresswoman stated “God stood up on that mountain and said, ‘Here you go, Moses, my top Ten Amendments,’ ” she said. “Where are these bozos getting the idea that there are nineteen?” {https://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/lauren-boebert-claims-nineteenth-amendment-does-not-exist-because-god-gave-moses-only-ten-amendments} confusing many of those listening. She clearly did not know what the 19th amendment was and assumed it had to do with abortion. To me, her statements sound as though she didn't really understand what constitutional amendments are and was heavily mixing church and state, which are major reg flags to me. While we are all entitled to our own views and religious beliefs, I find it extremely inappropriate when those in government bring these beliefs into discussed and debates regarding law making. Church and State are supposed to remain separate for a reason. Her remarks just remind me our governmental system is fundamentally flawed because it was founded upon religious belief system, and I say this as a Christan.

Yes I am registered to vote:) I voted this past presidential election for the first time! It was quite easy!

4. I chose this TikTok video of Olivia's above because I found it extremely informative and insightful regarding reproductive rights in Texas. She went into detail explaining how the abortion restrictions in Texas aren't about protecting women and baby's but they are about controlling women's bodies and gave great information supporting her statement. This TikTok is so great because it shows people not to listen to all the excuses that they are being told and to look into the facts, which in this situation are quite devastating and scary. She also brings attention to the lack of health care protection as a whole for families in rural Texas, by doing this she is using her platform to give a voice to those who don't have the opportunity to be heard when they try and speak up about these issues. I find Olivia extremely inspiring and her work makes me realize how important it is to use our platforms to speak up on injustices surrounding us. I want to look more into rural communities and health care issues near me now because I relate deeply to this issue.

5. Matt Gaez has the nickname #RapeyMcForehead due to sex trafficking accusations that are still currently being investigated. I think this is justified, anyone who has evidence against them regarding sexual crimes should not hold any government position.

6. I think the restrictive laws passed in many of these Southern states are despicable and undo so much progress for women. It completely baffles me that the state governments are okay with putting so many of their people in danger. I think these decisions will most definitely backfire in upcoming elections. Women are not going to silenced, and the families of these women who care for their well being are not going to be silenced either. I think many of these states are going to lean democratic in the upcoming elections. I was really appalled by Louisiana's restrictions on abortions. They are basically completely banned, except in very slim extreme circumstance and even then, insurance in not allowed to cover it and extensive counseling is required. The abortion pill can only be given in person, and only doctors can perform the abortions. The state has made virtually impossible to access one.

[girlqueens]

Introduction

Hi! My name is Victoria and i'm currently a senior in the fashion design program at Parsons. I was born in New York and grew up in PA. I have a deep love for all things fashion relative and really enjoy the materiality aspect of things, I do a lot of knitting and crocheting in my free time. Aside from fashion, I have a love for nutrition and wellness. I am very particular about the things I put into my body and where those things have come from and the processes behind them. I love doing food and ingredient research, and just by nature this means I also love to cook and bake!

Some of my key girl icons of inspiration include Lo Bosworth, Sophia Bush, and Diane von Furstenburg.

Lo Bosworth is the founder of the brand Love Wellness. The brand is a women's health supplement brand focusing on brain, gut, and vaginal health. As a lover of health and wellness I was inspired hearing Lo's story about being a woman in the business industry and how she basically single handedly created a new sector of the women's health and beauty industry. Before 2016, it was very difficult to find supplements to support women's health, many of the feminine washes in stores were filled with extremely harmful toxins so Lo created Love Wellness, a clean brand putting women's health first. Her brand really kickstarted the beauty and wellness supplement trend that is so relevant today. I am a proud consumer of her supplements and thing they work amazing!

Sophia Bush is another inspiration of mine. She is a well known actress but she uses her platform to raise awareness for global current events. She advocates for equality for women's and lgbtq+ rights and also has been very vocal on the importance of voting and gun legislation. I find those who aren't afraid to speak up for what's right, even if that means losing a portion of your following, to be very admirable. She donates and fundraises for many charities and non profits. I just find her to be a great human.

Diane von Furstenburg is another great inspiration of mine. She is a famous fashion designer and is responsible for the innovation of the wrap dress, an iconic symbol of women’s empowerment and independence. She also is director of the Furstenburg family foundation, which supports and funds non-proft organizations. Most notably, she created the DVF Awards, which is given to four women recipients each year that displayed "leadership, strength, and courage to women's causes." To me, she is a symbol of women's empowerment. She created her own empire and helps other women create their own. Her design is powerful and holds deep meaning and significance, it sparks meaning in the women wearers all over the world.