Wednesday, December 13, 2017

The Birth Control Movement (really this one)

This video gives an overview of the birth control movement in the United States, with an emphasis on Estelle Griswold.


Birth Control Movement from Mattie Jackson on Vimeo.

Monday, December 11, 2017

MAMA DRAGONS

This digital story is about the Mama Dragons movement, who provide fierce support for mothers of LGBTQIA children.
Created by Torri Duncan, Kjersti Hodgson, and Jacob Buckner.

Digital Story: The Birth Control Movement

This video is about the birth control movement in the United States. It specifically highlights the contributions of Estelle Griswold to the movement.


Birth Control Movement from Mattie Jackson on Vimeo.

Mattie Jackson, Alexis Heugly, Savannah Fulhman

The Black Panther Party






This digital story focuses on the Black Panther Party and the work of Elaine Brown. Completed by Breann Hunt. 

Digital Story: Psychiatric Survivors Movement



Our Digital Story is about the Psychiatric Survivors movement and Nellie Bly, a journalist whose writing created momentum behind the movement.

Created by Cole Stevens, Eden Buchert, Heather Dalia, and Oksana Poliakova.

Digital Story: Women Suffrage Movement






The Women's Suffrage Movement discusses the tactics that suffragists demanded the vote.

Digital Story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2CaQHX56AY


This story focuses on the issues that women have faced within the psychiatric community and how one women used her life and experiences to help others.

Digital Story: The Psychiatric Survivors Movement


The Psychiatric Survivors Movement

Digital story by Cole Stevens, Oksana Poliakova, Heather Dalia, and Eden Buchert.

Our video is about the psychiatric survivors movement, which is a movement that fights for reform in the mental health care system and tries to support those who have been abused or mistreated by that system.


      The Psychiatric Survivors Movement




                Our digital story is about the Psychiatric Survivors Movement, its history, goals,                                          and one very brave woman. 
Oksana Poliakova, Eden Buchert, Cole Stevens, Heather Dalia.

Modern Day Feminism




Our digital story is about modern day feminism and emphasizes the impact that it's had on students opinions of what feminism entails.

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Women's March 01-21-17

This video is about the Women's Marches that occurred on January 21, 2017. This is a movement that is still alive, despite there not being any physical marches that are currently happening, the messages and goals of these marches are continuing to be sought after by those involved.

Anti-Bullying Social Movement


Our video highlights the Anti-Bullying movement, and talks about Lizzie Velasquez's role in that movement.

Collaborators: Kaiya Haimin, McKendra Wilson, Shannon McBride, and McKenna Beckstead


Our digital story is about the actions, culture, and history surrounding the rape crisis movement. 



BYUGSA: Sabina Mendoza

By Mickey Randle, Sydney Hadfield, Lindsey Reese and Alex Hansen
Music Credit: Ben Sounds
www.bensound.com

Our project focuses on the LGBTQ/USGA movement and how Sabina Mendoza has been a leader for this movement at BYU.

Sources:

https://www.equalityutah.org/newsroom/item/233-utah-legislature-passes-historic-bill-repealing-anti-lgbt-state-public-education-law

https://gaymarriage.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=004857

https://www.lds.org/church/news/church-leaders-counsel-members-after-supreme-court-same-sex-marriage-decision?lang=eng


Saturday, December 9, 2017

Edna Adan the "Muslim Mother Teresa"

by Sarah Melnyk, Jackie Gulde, and Stephanie Seal

Maternal Health and Infant Mortality are big issues in our world today. While we have seen some improvement in health and decline in Mortality rates among mothers and infants, underdeveloped countries still struggle. The health risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth in these countries are prevalent due to a lack of health professionals and resources. In the midst of one of the world's most impoverished countries, Somaliland, is a woman who has made the elimination of such health risks her life's ambition. Edna Adan is this woman and has made such a huge impact on the lives of the women in her country that she has been called the "Muslim Mother Teresa".

Enjoy this digital story of the Maternal health movement and Somaliland's heroine, Edna Adan:



Edna's contribution to improve maternal health in her home country is an inspiration to all women, especially those who work in grassroots movements. Her story is one of hope, charity, and empowerment.

The Civil Rights Movement: Diane Nash

Our Digital Story focuses on the Civil Rights Movement and Diane Nash's work within the movement.


Project By: Andrea Ashby, Jenna Rakuita, and Mandi Eatough

Friday, December 8, 2017

Friday, October 13, 2017

Women Today


Egyptian Mummy Portrait, c. 160 - 170 C.E.
What's it mean to be a "modern" woman? "Modern" means to come from something, and so a modern woman is a woman steeped in physical, cultural, and psychological ancestors—and that is all women. To be a modern woman is to share a common history with all the women that have preceded her. It is to share and be made by the hopes, fears, abuse, and victories of previous cultures’ relationships with women. I like this woman’s death mask because, even though she and I are separated by 1800 years, she emotes confidence and calm like the women in my life that I admire.

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Women in Our World (2)

Society often tells women what they should or shouldn't be, but I prefer to look at women as how they actually are...

Friday, October 6, 2017

"I am a woman phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, thats me."
- Maya Angelou
 When I think of modern women such as myself, my mother, my sisters, aunts, and those close to me the word that comes to mind is phenomenal, because that is exactly what we are and so much more.


                                                           
1

                      Modern women are BALANCED

In recent years we have seen an uprising in women taking on the challenge of careers and motherhood. Michelle Obama is the perfect example of a woman who has shown that through hard work and dedication, woman can obtain respectable careers as well as maintain an active role in the home. She has shown a nation that by focusing on your education and becoming who you are meant to be, all other aspects of life will fall into place. Although the world will view women as mothers only, its up to us to show them that that role is not and never be our only purpose in this life.









THERE IS NO LIMIT TO WHAT WE, AS WOMEN, CAN ACCOMPLISH

-MICHELLE OBAMA
Women have an endless amount of strength harvested within and with the right amount of courage and guidance, we can accomplish anything.



 
Modern women are I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T
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It's increasingly common to hear of children who were raised in single parents homes. In a study conducted by the singles mothers guide, "Out of an estimated 12 million single parent families, 80% of those are families are raised by single women". Society has often depicted women as needing men financially, however millions of families are being raised by single mothers successful. While women are being viewed as "needy", "dependent on men", "gold diggers", the statistic show that a waste majority of them are raising children alone.




        
    I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a     free human being with an independent will.
Charlotte Bonte


Image result for serena williams wimbledon trophy
3


Modern women are VICTORIOUS


Women have faced many injustices; through being denied basic rights, unequal pay in the work place, and etc yet we continue to rise above and are victorious. The world may view as equals, however we are far from and cannot give up that fight until women in every nation and country are viewed as important as men.







Image result for picture of barbie getting botox
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STRUGGLING TO FIT A MOLD

Modern women are expected to fit this unrealistic mold physically and being told what "body type" is the right type and what is appropriate to wear given your body type. The world often sees women as objects and many will try and lump all women into a certain category and compile a list of requirements that we should be. There are 0 categories and being a woman is individualized to how each woman feels fit for herself. 








Image result for oprah
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Modern women are LEADERS

When a nation is not ready and has not accepted the idea of female empowerment, it must be taken by force and reckoned with later. Oprah was the first of a few women who bombarded her way into show business and created a platform for herself that lead her to ultimate success. Women are seen as followers, not as qualified, or ambitious. We are just as ambitious as men and when we are given the opportunities to show case our efforts, they are evident and powerful.











Image result for simone biles
6
                                                                                                                                                                 
Modern women are CHAMPIONS
                                     
Women have over come countless acts of adversity to be where they are today. They were courageous, dedicated, and persistent in their ways to seek justice. Although there are some battles still being fought, there is no doubt that we are still champions for our efforts. As we win our battles it's important to always strive to help others all over the world who are still fighting to achieve the things achieved years ago. The fight is now over until every girl has equal rights.









Image result for gif of i'm a strong independent black woman
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Being a modern black woman means listening to how black woman are all so "angry" for no reason and how we should europeanize ourselves to become more appealing.
LOL NAH. 
The world will continuously tell black women what we are, how we act, and how we need to succumb to white tendencies and attributes. I have never a black woman who isn't proud of every negro feature she has inherited and I embrace my negro culture to it's fullest and will continue to encourage other women to do the same because we are black, we are beautiful, we are powerful and our negro-ness does define us and we should let it because it brings 0 shame. 






Image result for here to strong women quote
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Growing up in this decade women have no choice but to hold their ground and be strong. This world will continually try and drag us down and not show us the equalization we deserve world wide, but it is up to us to lift up the women in our lives and encourage each other until we have all reached a level that demands that equalization that we deserve as a human right. 























                              CONSTANT JUDGMENT FOR HOW WE CHOOSE TO DRESS

Image result for slut shaming
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This image helps depict another type of body shaming that women face. Anytime we wear something that seems "inappropriate" to others it is seen as an opening to slut shame or judge. Some will even go as far as to inaccurately accuse our choice of apparel for sexual assaults that take place. This is one of the harder misfortunes modern women face. The world will judge us all harshly for how we dress ourselves and how certain styles have a weight class, when in reality we are our bodies and can express ourselves how we see fit.




















Citation

1-https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oeUgdQ0QV0Ux5gXEHmAADoTDA-U=/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6168183/jbareham_160114_0931_0177_b.0.png
2-http://images.complex.com/complex/image/upload/c_limit,w_680/fl_lossy,pg_1,q_auto/afeni-shakur-and-tupac-happiness_zsokga.jpg
3-http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/07/serena-williams-wimbledon-goat
4-https://www.pinterest.com/pin/551972498051915235/?lp=true
5-http://legendsrevealed.com/entertainment/2015/04/14/did-oprah-winfrey-get-her-name-from-a-typo-on-a-birth-certificate/
6-https://www.si.com/olympics/2016/08/16/michael-phelps-simone-biles-katie-ledecky-sports-illustrated-cover-2016-rio-olympics
7-http://xonecole.com/im-a-white-mom-heres-my-experience-of-raising-a-black-daughter-in-australia/
8-https://www.pinterest.com/pin/206039751679734436/
9-https://www.theodysseyonline.com/why-slut-shaming-is-not-ok

Monday, September 18, 2017

Women in the Modern World

Being a woman in today's world is complex, multifaceted, and difficult. These artifacts are an effort to convey the experiences of 21st century women. 

Friday, September 15, 2017

Women Today


Egyptian Mummy Portrait, c. 160 - 170 C.E.

What's it mean to be a "modern" woman? "Modern" means to come from something, and so a modern woman is a woman steeped in physical, cultural, and psychological ancestors—and that is all women. To be a modern woman is to share a common history with all the women that have preceded her. It is to share and be made by the hopes, fears, abuse, and victories of previous cultures’ relationships with women. I like this woman’s death mask because, even though she and I are separated by 1800 years, she emotes confidence and calm like the women in my life that I admire.

Girls...We Run the World






How are women viewed in the world today? Some people say that they are sexualized, some say that they are fashion and trend obsessed, other say that they are nurturing and kind. In the world today, it can be hard to figure out just how women are stereotyped. I have compiled a variety of memes, videos, pictures that I think accurately portray how the world thinks of women today. (Also here is a picture of one of my most FAVORITE women in the world today, my mother.)



A Revolutionary Soul Force: women

I am a woman in modern society. In a sense the curation of this project is an answer to the question What is it like to be me? But my experience is not all encompassing and I need to validate the strengths and struggles of the women around me. With my collection of images I have tried to capture the multifaceted meaning of Being a Woman.

Dress Like a WOMAN and think like a MAN

Dress Like a WOMAN and think like a MAN

I grew up listening to this phrase quite often; but... is it really necessary? no, it is not. I don't need to dress like a woman and think like a man. I can just dress like a woman and think like a woman. Being a woman doesn't mean I'm the weaker sex or I have to be like a man if I want to succeed. It is time to let society know that I am not a perfect failure, and that I do not need to be worshiping a man in order to be accepted. I am ME, I am a Woman.

It is understood in our society that if you are a girl, you can't do things that a man would do. You should do girl's stuff; for me girls' stuff are running wild or climbing a tree. And doing it better than everybody else.

This piece is called "The March" by Abigail G. Swartz. I found it pretty amazing because I personally believe that woman, specially African American, are just a definition of strength. What they went through still amuses me. It is not completely understood how much strength they had to have to stand tall like they did and are doing now.

"Malala Yousafzai" by Michael Voipicelli. She does not need introduction. She is The force of willingness personified. She stood up for her beliefs; not even fearing death.
"Frida Kahlo" at simple sight she is just a manly woman. She is the definition of a true self. She is, in my personal definition, what a woman is and should always be. Natural beauty and your own person.
"Tree of Life-Cha Wakan" by Tamara Philips. Creation and nurture is what only female mammals and woman are capable of. I don't see "weaker sex" anywhere. Do you?
"Indifference" by Mario Sanchez Nevado. There is not a woman in this world that has not at least once hidden a feeling to protect herself or somebody else. Acted cold or wore a tick skin. We have a history of suffering from physical to emotional abuse, and this painting gives me a sense of what it means to feel it all and show nothing.
"Seated Nude" by William A. Bouguereau. Now there are times where the indifference mask is worn out. And the true comes out. This painting reminds me at the delicacy and fragility of a woman. Not because she is weak; but because she is an entity that has to endure so much, leaving her open sometimes.
"The Horse Lady" by Prinelsa A. Encarnacion. Sensuous vs. Sensual. People often misunderstand the difference between sensuous and sensual. Sensuousness means to appeal to your senses instead of your intellect without sexual connotation. Which it's totally different from sexuality. In this picture she is not showing just "skin", her skin is her dress, her natural clothes. It tries to be appealing to your senses but not being bulgar. 
"Wo/man" by Prinelsa A. Encarnacion. Woman should not be categorized with something lower than a man. Woman are just like man; but with different details. What I believe it is a woman, it is just the meaning of man as well.
This video is made by Always, a feminine care product company. Here, they try to address the phrase "like a girl" and how badly it is employed in our society. The answers that the young girls give about what it means to be a girl is amazing. It is up to us to change the negative connotation of woman and what she can do. There are girls coming up behind us, following us, taking us as their model. It is up to us to show them that we are as important and as amazing as man.
I have always known that woman can do unmeasurable wonders when they know who they are and what they can do. Women are often naturally empathetic. I think that is probably one of the reason what we can give birth another human being. You can only do great things when you let the greatness that lies within, come out.
Last but not least, Women. We were and are the finally act. The amazing maniobra. God knew that he save the best for the end. Therefore, we don't need to be like man. We just need to be ourselves and let everything fall into place.

What is Fe/male?

What is Fe/male?

"And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man" (Genesis 2:22). In the beginning, man wrote a bible in which women were created for and by men.  Throughout the epochs of human civilization, that hasn't changed. Women from birth are told what they are and, sometimes more significantly, what they are not. The world peers through lenses stained with difference and we are collectively and individually defined by what is male and what is female, what is right and what is wrong. Rarely are we defined by what is human. No culture or subsect of society is immune to the toxic categorization of women, of humans. This exhibit depicts women of today's world that exemplify, truly, what is fundamentally female.  

What is a woman?

In a world full of diverse cultures and peoples, the definition of a woman changes and is subject to many different stereotypes. What does it really mean to be a woman? We can analyze what society says, but the question that is most important is, what do you say?


Women are objects

https://www.bustle.com/articles/167897-9-subtle-ways-women-are-taught-to-view-themselves-as-objects
As writer Suzannah Weiss explains in this article, women are taught by society that they are sex objects, with the purpose of satisfying the desires of men. Unfortunately as we grow up, we don't even realize this influence, yet it still pervades how we view other women and even ourselves. But a woman is so much more than an object.


Women Love

This beautiful woman is my mother. She is capable of love that I cannot even understand. She loves me, my sister, and my brother (pictured) and manifests in through everyday sacrifice, and she has been doing so for over 25 years. She is more than an object.


Women Create

https://www.womenwhocreateuk.com/
The creations of talented women are innumerable. Women can paint, sew, decorate, build, and create new ideas. This is what makes the world more beautiful.


Women are complicated


It's not about the nail (1). How many of us have heard someone say girls are complicated? Though there are also valid principles that can be derived, this video is an illustration of this conception: that understanding a woman's feelings is illogical to men. 

Women Speak

Elizabeth Nyamayaro (2) is just one of hundreds of women who have given a TED Talk, speaking on one of their passions. How many wonderful and amazing things we can learn from women who speak.

Women Understand

Elaine S. Dalton (3) was the General Young Women's President for the LDS Church for the years that I was in high school. She was released from this calling right as I turned 18. She understood girls and the experiences they were going through. She used that understanding to reach out and lift. Her messages impacted me and my own self-worth at a time that I needed it.


Women are weak


This Polish politician (4) voiced an opinion that, though becoming less accepted, used to just be the way of life: women are weaker than men. Biological arguments could be made and refuted. The real reason behind this assumption is the lasting influence of previous discrimination. Women are not weak.

Women save

Women are capable of saving.  Just under 15% of the U.S. Military consists of women who are dedicated to protecting their country and its citizens. (5)


Women impact


There is no impact comparable to that of a mother. A mother influence spans across generations. The entire population can look to someone who was a mother in their life. A woman has the capability to make an impact as a loving mentor to more than just her own children, but to the whole world. This requires strength. (6)




Women are scared

https://www.buzzfeed.com/juliegerstein/29-things-women-avoid-doing-out-of-fear-for-our-safety?utm_term=.tyEy1l1B3#.ehAxZvZAV
Unfortunately because of the dangers of this world, women have to fear for their safety and take precautions. This is already evidence of a great problem in our society. However we also need to remember that there is more to women than fear.


Women explore

Amelia Earhart was a hero of mine as a child. She was a woman who was not afraid. She was one of the only women pilots, and she didn't let that stop her from excelling and fulfilling her dream to explore. Though she died tragically, she is an example of defying expectations and being adventurous. (7)


Women stand

Throughout history there are examples of women who defended what they believed to be right. Women's rights, civil rights, and even problems of equality today are causes that have been supported and at times carried by women who believed and bravely stood up. (8)






References



So Much More

     Society has almost always tried to dictate how a woman should look, what a women should be interested in, and how a woman should act.  They use the media to narrow women's perceptions of other women and themselves to keep them stuck where they have always been: behind men.  It is really only recently that women have started to be able to see themselves for who they really are: so much more than who society says they should be.


Like A Girl


"Is like a girl a good thing?" is a question the interviewer asks the subjects of this video. Part of womanhood in today's climate is fighting against the ingrained notion that somehow being a woman is inferior to being a man. That doing things "like a girl" is an insult insinuating weakness and fragility. But society's conception of "like a girl" is vastly different than the reality of what womanhood and girlhood look like.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs


"Journey"
Everyone woman goes through a process of discovering what it means to them to be a woman and then striving to become that. There isn't just one species of butterflies; and there isn't just one species of woman. There isn't a mold of womanhood, creating a beautiful variety of women, just like the wing patterns of a butterfly.

source: michaels.com




This journey to authentic womanhood becomes difficult when we are bombarded by the ideals our culture places upon us. Our magazines bombard us with images of women as sex symbols and tag lines for articles about how to be better in bed, get you summer body, and why he's not into you. We are surrounded by the message that we only exist as an object to be objectified by others.


Source: https://hoochiewoman.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/down-with-cosmo/








From a young age girls are indoctrinated with the idea that their worth and value is dependent on physical appearance. While the girls' life magazine doesn't yet show the overt sexualization that is ever present in women's magazine, it implies that girls' accomplishments pale in comparison to what they look like. The boys' life magazine is a start contrast in showing that what we think boys should be aiming for.

Source: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/09/23/books-girls-life-vs-boys-life-magazine-comparison

"Handle with Care"
Artist rorablue created this series of images that explore the sexist comments that have affected her and other women. Several of these images edisplay the idea that women only exist in their relationship to other people, whether that's in the way men view you, as a mother, a wife, a homemaker, etc. Women struggle to establish an identity that does not rely on their relationship to someone, but just purely as a human being living their authentic life.

Source: "Handle With Care" by Rora Blue


Being a woman today means dealing with the realities of gender violence, like sexual assault. Rape culture exists, in that a woman's actions, past sexual history, or mental state are brought into question after a sexual assault in a way to make her responsibility for the violence committed against her. No amount of promiscuity or "provocative" is invitation for unwanted sexual activity.

Source: http://theblvckcool.tumblr.com/image/152287712368





After Senator Elizabeth Warren was silenced and shut down in the Jeff Sessions debate in February of 2017 by Major Leader Mitch McConnell, he said of the situaiton, "She was warned. she was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted." The quote became a rallying cry for women throughout history who did not back down to the "warnings" they were given. Just as Senator Warren persisted, women of today are persisting in their fight to be recognized and accepted for their authentic selves that don't conform to the expectations placed on womanhood.

Source: "Nevertheless, She Persisted" by Courtney Privett



Wolf and  Woman. Are the two mutually exclusive? Does being a ferocious and strong mean you aren't a woman? No. Ferocity is a hallmark of womanhood, because of the strength it takes to live confidently in a society that is telling you that you should be otherwise. It a society that ingrains in you the need to apologize for you strength and firmness, where leadership and strength is characterized as "bossy." Women are navigating ways to "stop apoligising for their wild."


Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/BKKEOUlB0Nt/


I grew up with all mothers, all women. I come from a long line of matriarchs, very strong women.” -Erykah Badu

Being a woman requires strength. Strength to be who you want to be, even when everything is working against you. Being able to establish an identity that is your's and not dependent on what society things womanhood should look like. 

Source: http://moodboard.streetetiquette.com/post/89899260934/theblackamericanprincess-i-grew-up-with-all










Mary Wollstonecraft was an English writer and advocate for women's rights. This quote encapsulates the essence of feminist and authentic womanhood, which is that woman aren't fighting for the power over men but in a society were have been subservient to men, the ultimate goal is to become equals. With that equality comes the right for women to govern themselves and their lives in a way that they see fit.

Source: http://traitspourtraits.tumblr.com/post/151205906424/i-dont-wish-women-to-have-power-over-men-but




"There is no limit to what we, as women, can acccomlish." Michelle Obama is someone I look to as an examples for being able to be a powerful entity of her own, without bringing down those around her to do it. Her husband was one of the most powerful people in the world and she did not operate in his shadow. She was advocate herself for things she believed in and by many as not just the First Lady of the United States, but an individual capable of tremendous impact and good.

Source: T Magazine - T Greats Issue









Maya Angelou's words in "Still I Rise" capture the essence of what being a woman is to me. Despite the criticism and the negativity, women continually rise to the challenge and work towards the ultimately goal of having the freedom to live their self-determined authentic lives, however different from the mold of womanhood they may be. Because that's what being a woman it. 

Source: Maya Angelou - "Still I Rise" 
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/58/0d/81/580d8103445d8094f6ab457b7907fade.jpg



Man! I Feel Like a Woman

The year was 1997. I was just a young kid at the time, but I can vividly remember driving to school on the bus one day when Shania Twain's pop-country hit "Man! I Feel Like a Woman" came on over the radio. I sang it. The kindergarteners and sixth graders sang it. The bus driver sang it. We all sang it. As a young boy, belting the lyrics, "Man! I feel like a woman!" felt oddly empowering. Admittedly, as an adult male, my understanding of what it truly feels like to be a woman in today's world is probably pretty limited. Maybe the closest I've ever come to understanding the power of being a woman is singing Shania Twain on a dirty yellow bus 20 years ago. What I do know is that being a woman means being human; and being human means being individually unique and complex. With this complexity in mind, describing what it's like to be a woman in today's world in a few mere words or photos is impossible. However, through the following media and accompanying dialogue, I try to capture my perspective of women and what it means to me to be a woman in today's world.

Photograph by Kylee Ann Maughan. (2014, July 4).
Image retrieved from http://kyleeannphotography.com/amber-breast-cancer-inspiration-shoot/

To be a woman in today's world means being brave, strong, and resilient. It means being an inspiration. The above picture is from a photoshoot of a woman named Amber who recently underwent breast cancer treatment. As my mom overcame breast cancer, including a double mastectomy, a few years ago, Amber's photoshoot carries personal significance. Many would consider long, luscious hair and breasts hallmarks of female beauty and womanhood. So without either of these physical features, the cultural consensus might be that Amber is not "sexy" or beautiful. However, Amber's beauty is undeniable. Only a woman could endure the physical and emotional trials of breast cancer and emerge more beautiful than ever. Amber's photoshoot portrays the bravery and courage of the modern woman. Society might expect a survivor of breast cancer to be insecure, damaged, and unwilling to display their "imperfect" body. Sorry society. The modern woman- Amber, my mom, and many other survivors- are too strong to let a little cancer cripple them.


Image retrieved from http://www.assisttohire.com/blog/2017/03/28/the-modern-mom/

The modern mom is the multi-tasking mother, expected and capable of doing it all while not receiving the credit for doing so. The traditional view of a mother's role might be simplistic. A mother cooks. A mother cleans. A mother cares for children. Seems easy, right? Being a mother and a modern woman entails so much more than the 1950s portrayal of "Mom" suggests. The way I see it, the modern mom can do it all, is expected to do it all, and does do it all. The modern mom works, nurtures, care-takes, educates, and leads. And yes, she most likely cleans and cooks too. The modern mom is expected to change the diaper, make the sale, call the doctor, buy the groceries and look photo-shoot ready while doing it. The modern mom faces daily pressure to get it all done and her efforts are often overlooked. The modern mom does it all and makes it look easy. And we take her for granted.


Quote by Emma Watson. (2014, Sept. 20) 
Image retrieved from http://ew.com/movies/2017/03/01/emma-watson-feminism-quotes/

The modern woman is misunderstood. The above quote is from a speech delivered by actress Emma Watson to the U.N. in 2014. Thanks to the media and society in general, the word "feminism" often carries negative connotations. Feminists are man-haters. Feminists are angry. Feminists seek superiority over men. However, as Emma Watson points out, feminism is misunderstood. Feminists want equality, not superiority. The woman in today's world who stands up for women may be mislabeled as an obnoxious, whiny, angry, overly sensitive man-hater. Hopefully in history books 100 years from now, we will reform our current stereotypes and look back on today's feminists in the same light as Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Abraham Lincoln- as heroes who fought for human rights and equality.

Song by Kelly Clarkson. (2003, April 10).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS1ZW0FdoIU

A woman is independent. Traditional views suggest that a woman is dependent, specifically, that a woman is dependent on a man. These traditional stereotypes submit that a woman needs a man to "show her the way." Without a man, a woman cannot thrive and cannot succeed. Without a man, a woman cannot BE. To me, being a woman in today's world means being independent and self-reliant. Women are progressively being portrayed as empowered, autonomous individuals in the media. Songs like Kelly Clarkson's "Miss Independent" promote self-sufficiency, fearlessness, and independence in women. Even in the Disney movie "Frozen," female independence and not needing a man acts as a central theme.


Tweet by alivingiano. (2016, Aug. 15). 
Retrieved from https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-women-tweets-feminism/

To be a woman in today's world means having the ability to accomplish anything and everything and yet not receive the appropriate recognition. At the age of 19, Katie Ledecky dominated the 2016 Olympic games in swimming winning four gold medals, one silver medal, and breaking two world records. However, her unparalleled success was reduced to a mere footnote in the Associated Press which featured Michael Phelp's silver medal as the dominant headline, thus downplaying the significance of Ledecky's world record. To be a woman in today's world means to be more capable and accomplished than a man and yet receive less recognition for equal or superior performance. Notwithstanding this lack of praise, the modern woman will continue to break world records.


Video by BuzzFeed. (2014).
Video retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o9Dp6D91fI

To be a woman in today's world means to face the constant pressure of being externally beautiful and "made-up." This expectation to put on a pretty face is not just a pressure women face in the United States and other first-world countries. As seen in the above video, the majority of the world perceives a woman to be beautiful when she is meticulously "made-up" with perfect hair, eyeliner, mascara, foundation, etc. Although the definition of female beauty differs throughout the world, regardless of location, beauty consistently revolves around physical appearance. Today's woman might be told that inner beauty is all that matters, but then turns on the television and sees the actress with the pristinely "made-up" face or goes to the store and sees the airbrushed magazine model with the perfectly toned body. Because cultures throughout the world define female beauty by physical appearance, the modern woman faces daily pressure to be physically flawless. To be a woman means to battle the cultural contradiction that inner beauty is supposedly all that matters when outer beauty is all that is seen in popular culture and media.


Photograph by Annie Leibovitz. (2015).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/the-real-reason-why-pirelli-chose-real-women-the-rise-of-the-fem/

To be a woman means to fight stereotypes of physical beauty. It is undeniable that the media's portrayal of female beauty emphasizes physical qualities that are sensational and largely unrealistic. According to the media and popular culture, being sexy is synonymous with being skinny, having large breasts, being perfectly proportioned...essentially looking flawless in lingerie. Without plastic surgery, these physical characteristics are nearly impossible to obtain. Women are fighting back against the unrealistic stereotypes of beauty displayed by the media. The above picture is of comedian Amy Schumer who posed semi-nude to oppose the media's portrayal of physical beauty as being skinny, perfectly toned, and having Barbie-like proportions. To be a woman in today's world means combatting media stereotypes and embracing the innate physical beauty that all women possess.


Ad by UN Women. (2013). Credit: Memac Ogilvy and Mather Dubai
Image retrieved from http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2013/10/women-should-ads

To be a woman means to be oppressed in many parts of the world. Progressive ideas concerning women's rights are not accepted in most cultures. Women around the world are oppressed, victimized, and abused. It is estimated that 1 in 3 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence at some point in their lives. To be a woman in today's world means to be widely considered inferior and incapable. I have been fortunate to grow up in a culture and household that values women as intelligent, capable, equal, beautiful, and worthy of constant respect and admiration. Unfortunately, the perception and treatment of women throughout the world largely does not mirror my own.

Image retrieved from https://giphy.com/gifs/quote-boss-bossy-B1q47o48d0SCA

Women are "bosses." Traditionally, women have been stereotyped as meek, soft, and submissive. Yes, I suppose women may generally be more meek than men, but almost every prominent woman in my life is a straight-up "boss." My wife is a "boss." She's strong, opinionated, independent, motivated, sexy. My mom is a "boss." She's brave, persistent, hard-working, determined, and intelligent. My grandma is a "boss." She's strong-willed, confident, selfless, outgoing and was literally the boss of BYU catering for over 20 years. The fearlessness of the women in my life has shaped my view of today's woman as being strong, driven, and tenacious. 


Quote by Kavita Ramdas. Date unknown.
Image retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/213780313539342543/

To me, women are the most loving, caring, and selfless people in the world. Although society might associate these characteristics with just mothers, I believe these attributes pertain to all women. I believe women have an innate ability to love. To be a woman means to have the unsurpassed ability to nurture, love, and empathize. Throughout this presentation, I have referred to women as strong, brave, and "bosses." Many would consider that these assertive traits contradict characteristics such as loving, caring, and selfless. Enter the uniqueness of women. Only a woman can be a "boss" while simultaneously being the most loving, compassionate person in the world. The above poem illustrates a woman's unique ability to possess seemingly contrasting characteristics   


Image by Barry Deutsch. (2012, April 3)
Image retrieved from http://leftycartoons.com/2012/04/03/really-good-careers/

To be a woman means to have equal intelligence, skill, and ability but not equal opportunity. As of 2015 in the United States, the Pew Research center estimated that a full-time working woman makes 80 cents for every dollar earned by a man. Further statistics indicate that women consistently earn less than men in nearly every occupation in which salary data can be collected. Even more harrowing, the Institute for Women's Policy Research estimated that Black women will have to wait until the year 2124 to receive equal pay as men. Hispanic women will have to wait until 2248. And while more women graduate from college than men, women enter the work field following graduation make approximately $9,000 less in yearly salary than men according to an Economic Policy Institute study (2016).  

Quote by Alexandre Dumas. The Count of Monte Cristo.
Image retrieved from http://quotespictures.com/quotes/women-quotes/page/36/

This quote, more than any another, captures my perception of women. Women are sacred. Women are divine. Women are the greatest of God's creations. My belief in the divinity of women was cemented when I got married to my wife, Christie. In her I see my future, my life, and my potential. Women throughout the world are not always viewed as sacred or holy. They are disadvantaged, oppressed, and objectified. To be a woman in today's world means to be the greatest of God's creations but not recognized or treated as such. I am grateful that my upbringing, religious background, and personal experiences have helped me realize the sacredness of women.