Knowledge is Power: theme proves true worldwide

The first day of Feminist Majority’s Women, Money and Power Summit came to a mind-blowing end at The General Assembly on Women and Power. With moderator Amy Brenneman (long-time activist, but also known for roles on “Judging Amy,” and “Private Practice,”) FM’s president Ellie Smeal, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and three Afghan women scholars; the room was filled with such courage and life experience. A somewhat chatty person like myself couldn’t help but leave speechless.

The point was clear as day: Women’s rights should be assumed, just like any other human right. These rights are not only essential to the individual woman’s quality of life, but also a country’s development. As Amy Brenneman expressed: the more a country utilizes 50% of its population, the better (for areas of economics, ecology, education, security, community development, etc…) Above all, the birth place of a woman should not determine her rights or safety.

FM then personalized these ideas with the case study of Afghanistan. Between Amy, Ellie and the three scholars (each who had lived in Afghanistan during the Taliban regime, but moved to the United States for the right to education,) personal stories were shared. Stories of both passive resistance, like teachers taking class attendance and then dismissing the girls, of aggressive resistance, like protesters throwing acid at young women on their way to school: No matter the circumstance, each time, the Afghan women would keep returning, keep pushing on. One Afghan scholar told us that when she was kept back from school, because of the Taliban, she begged and pleaded with people to secretly teach her. When that fell through, she trained herself through old textbooks. Each of the three expressed a yearning to go back or work towards a better Afghanistan, either through teaching, politics or medicine. The stories were harsh, but the courage and the passion these girls have is so beautiful.

Congresswoman Sanchez reiterated this message of global solidarity by showing that women’s safety is one of her great priorities, particularly human-trafficking (something that is so often brushed under the rug for later.) Sanchez also pushes other females on the hill to dive deeper on global relations, leading trips of newer employees to conflict areas like Iraq so that they can have a realistic perspective when voting.

All in all, Ellie Smeal said, we must do everything within our means: we cannot abandon our Afghan/ global sisters.

After this panel, I can’t help, but want to divide into two: one person to go to the hill to speak out, one to go the library to absorb all like a sponge.

photo credits: United Nations Photo from flickr.com

Michelle Obama - should she be more active in the White House?

I think Michelle Obama is an interesting case. Not only is she the wife of the first African American President, but she is also a Princeton grad, a fashionista, and a mother of two children. Clearly, Mrs. Obama has a lot on her shoulders, but I constantly wonder why she is not motivated to be more active in the White House.

At the University of California Merced, Michelle spoke to the graduating class and urged them to be bold and embrace challenges. Her words are wise, and she continues to successfuly caputre the nation with her friendly aura. Students at the university were very happy to have Michelle there, and one student commented on the role Michelle Obama plays.

"I think she's just a new modern type of role model for women. She's incredibly intelligent, well spoken, and she's just interesting," she said.

"It's very good to see the White House pushing people to help others. That's what my university's always done too." (Piya Radia, BBC Newsbeat)

I agree with Piya, Mrs. Obama is a role model. But still, I long for a woman in the White House, not just a Mom-in-Chief, which I think is great, but a Woman-in-Chief. During the Clinton Presidency, we all know that Hillary was very active, and she was able to make positive changes. Now, I hope, Michelle will realize the power of her position and maybe take on some more polticially charged tasks. Of course, she's already been around the world and is helping, I just want to see more! I have high hopes for both President Barack Obama and Michelle.

Being a Princess Isn't All It's Cracked Up to Be

Photographer Dina Goldstein didn't watch the Disney Princess movies when she was growing up, and so she is fascinated by young girls complete adoration of these cartoon women. There is no doubt that girls have loved and idealized these women for decades. However, it's pretty clear to most of us that the lives portrayed in these films do not accurately represent the real lives of women.

In her project, "Fallen Princesses," Goldstein photographed several classic Disney Princesses dealing with the issues that actually confront women today, like chemotherapy, war, and unhappiness. I think it is a wonderful, illuminating project. Not that girls are going to studying these photgraphs extensively, but the project shows just how off-base the Disney cartoons are in their portrayal of women. I know the "Disney sends girls the wrong messages about body image, life expecations, and passivity" commentary has been repeated over and over again, but seriously, that means it's got to be a little true, right?

The women in Disney movies, especially the older ones, are portrayed as flawless women, who sing extremely well, and overcome terrible hardships to live happily forever and ever. And, let's be honest, "flawless beauty" is a socially constructed ideal and most women can't really sing all that well. Life is about ups and downs, not ascending to some plateau of fortune, love and happiness.

I think Goldstein's photographs should be posted on the sides of buses, on t-shirts, posters, everywhere. Because she is using such popular characters her project has a greater ability to reach a large audience. I think if millions of people saw these pictures it would prompt a lot of discussion about body image, media, and the issues facing women today.