Resources

Resources and Inspirational Women

To honor women that have inspired us in different ways. We have a section noting women we have found to be role models or inspirational.   This section also includes excellent resources for self-esteem in general. 

*Please post a comment if you have resources to recommend we post!

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NANCY AMANDA REDD – AUTHOR BODY DRAMA

by megan

Ihave selected Nancy Amanda Redd as an inspirational woman that I want all to know about. In 2007 she authored the book – Body Drama.  Body Drama is a photographic book that addresses issues relating to women’s health. The intended audience is for teens.  It is an incredible way to bring down the stigmas relating to different women and their bodies.  I just wish I had something like this when I growing up.  Nancy was a pagent contestant for years and she felt that there weren’t any good sources to see what “real women” and their bodies REALLY do and look like. This book shows women of all different shapes, colors and more. It is a breath of fresh air.

 

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Links to some excellent self-esteem sources:

American Psychological Association report on sexualization of young girls and self-esteem 

New Moon Magazine for Girls

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SHUT UP AND SING DOCUMENTARY

DIXIE CHICKS – Musicians

by megan

In my opinion one of the most inspiring group of women I have seen in my lifetime.  This documentary is a MUST-See for all people.  It is more than a story of a political statement, rights, women, it is watching history before our eyes being documented in real time.  The Dixie Chicks have stood united through severe persecution that can not be forgotten. 

  

And then they are just remarkable women raising families, having careers, standing up for their rights.

 

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ASHLEY QUALLS – INTERNET MOGUL

by megan

What I find so admirable about Ashley Qualls is that she followed her instinct, she took her idea and regardless of what was expected of her, she just knew to follow her dream. 

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PEMA CHODRON – Eastern Philosopher / Author

by megan

Pema Chodron is an incredible leader for all individuals. She is a eastern philosopher, some say spiritual leader, but for me she is just a wise voice reason. Pema taught me how to just be and to stop wanting to be somewhere else, or be someone else, but instead to just be totally present in the moment. 

 She has said things like, “…it starts with being willing to feel what we are going through. It starts with being willing to have a compassionate relationship with the parts of ourselves that we feel are not worthy of existing on the planet.  If we are willing through meditation  to be mindful not only of what feel comfotable, but also of what pain feels like, if we even aspire to stay awake and opten to what we’re feeling, to recognicae and acknoweldge it as best we can in each moment, then something begins to change.” (Chodron, 1997, p. 84 – When things fall apart).   

 
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ARIEL LEVY – Author of Female Chauvinist Pigs

By Emily:

When I first read her book, it was like someone went inside my head and wrote down everything I was thinking about young women today. The book is a quick and provocative read, discussing how objectification has been repackaged as empowering for women. You will not be able to put it down.

Visit her online here: http://www.ariellevy.net/

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BEATRIX POTTER – Author and Artist

by megan

Beatrix Potter (1866- 1943) is a household name to most because she is one of the greatest selling authors of all time – you probably know the Tale of Peter Rabbit?  Until I watched the 2006 film Miss Potter staring Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor, I had no IDEA what an incredible woman she was.  She was 30 years old, from an upper class family, unmarried and basically a social outcast because of her unfortunate status of being unmarried and not heading up a household.  However, she fought for her books to be published because she believed in them and she believed in herself.   I would want to ask her “How did you have the strength to fight the social standard and follow your dreams in a time when you were told it wasn’t possible?”   She later became a prolific environmentalist and used her monetary success to create land trusts for rural areas.   I recommend this film to anyone who needs a story of struggling to follow your dreams. 

Trailer for Miss Potter film (2006):

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What It feels Like for A Girl

THis is a pretty powerful video made as a Senior Project regarding eating disorders, media influence. 

Senior Inquiry Video – What It Feels Like For A Girl

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Iron Jawed Angels (2004) Film

The story of the women’s right to vote, in an incredible version.  Alice Paul and Lucy Burns take a more radical approach but their means drew the needed attention to get the vote for women and to show that female minds were not “inferior to mens”.

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Doll Face by Andy Huang is a great artistic commentary on externals, conforming and individuality. Although the message is abstract, the artists voice is loud and clear. I love this piece, it makes me just the right amount of uncomfortable.

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Self-esteem Internationally

In Holland, Sunny Bergman made a film recently dealing with more or less the same issues that your blog focusses on (womens’ image in society, self esteem etc.). The title of her film translates into English as something like: Best before (as in the ‘best before’-date you see on foodstuffs). The film is part of a bigger movement, I found out. She has started a whole movement focussing on all sorts of social issues involving women, sexuality, image, esteem etc.

Spoken in English and Dutch, worth the language barrier:

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Schoolgirls by Peggy Orenstien

Schoolgirls is a must read by all persons at any age. It is so important that we continue to explore and understand how gender is shaped in our culture.  As well as, seeing how gender affects self-esteem.  This is a non-fiction story and often used in college and graduate level women’s studies courses. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Business of Being Born (2007)- Documentary on the Birthing Process

Director: Abby Epstein, Producer: Ricki Lake

 

All individuals should see this documentary. I think it is important to begin the discussion about child birth in the United States.  This documentary allowed me to explore how many women are losing their desired birthing experience from lack of exposure to birthing options.  However, the discussions are about options, courage to go against the grain, following your instincts and educating yourself on options. 

 

Trailer for The Business of Being Born (2007):

 

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Girls Rock!: The Movie

This documentary follows a set of young girls as they journey through rock and roll camp. It is an empowering experience, as these young girls find their voice through rock music and assert that they are powerful!

http://www.girlsrockmovie.com/

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The Power of Now  by Eckhart Tolle

by megan

This book has been making the rounds for many years now, but I am recommending it as a great resource to help with self-esteem, being present in the now, coping, anxiety and other ails of our modern lives.  This book is refreshing in that it gives you the tools to just be, just exist in the moment 100%. Taught me how to be present and stop wishing or worrying I should be some other place than in that present moment.   Easy to read and not full of new age talk.

 

 

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A good professional video on teens and self-esteem and body image. Talks to both teens and professionals.

 

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The Souls of Blacks Girls

A great video talking about self-esteem issues from the perspective of African American women and girls.

 

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Target Women:  Marketing towards Women

If you have 8 minutes and you need a good laugh about media and feminism (where feminism is not) then you should watch the following Target Women Videos:

Target Women: Wedding Edition : This video discusses the media desire to convience women that they want to get married and that they are not good enough for that day.

Target Women: Yogurt Edition:  Find yourself eating more yogurt these days and you are female?  Here is the marketing ploy behind the scheme, yogurt is now a woman’s food.

Thank you Sarah Haskins, Great Videos!

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We have an excellent documentary to recommend called Dare to Dream: Women’s Soccer from HBO.  It is a candid look at the impact of women’s soccer and the winning of the World Cup, and how this changed the soccer for women for the future.