Feminist role models

So I've been thinking about feminist role models in the media (specifically music and film), that I can look up to for inspiration and support. None immediately came to mind but after doing some research and really thinking about it, I came up with a few but this is by no means all, or even most of the feminist role models available.

There's this song that I came across a while ago written by the wonderful- John Lennon. I wasn't alive when the Beatles were big; I don't know if the song was widely heard or represented, but I think it so should be! The meaning behind the tune still applies today as women are constantly told to 'paint her face and dance' and 'insulted everyday on tv' One verse of the song 'Women is the nigger of the world' goes like this:
 We make her bed and raise our children
And then we leave her flat for being a fat old Mother HenWe tell her home is the only place she should beThen we complain that she's to unworldly to be our friend

Willow Smith, the daughter of the fresh price of bel air himself- Will Smith, has proved herself to be a fantastic feminist in the making. In light of the KONY 2012 campaign, Willow took it upon herself to research human trafficking and work together with her mum to do all they can to help those who have fallen victim to this. Willow Smith-role model to many- has used her status and influence to inspire young people everywhere to open their minds up to the world around us, and take action just like herself. I also just admire her for her non-conformist idea of beauty- GO WILLOW!


The film 'Blue Valentine', starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams was exposed to a lot of controversy when it came out as there was a scene of oral sex expressing a woman's freedom and sexual pleasure. The film was going to be given a high rating; as it was an Independent film, this would mean low ratings as the already small audience would then be condensed. I must say, I don't know exactly what the film entails as I only heard about this recently- but this quote from Ryan Gosling was well worth mentioning:     You have to question a cinematic culture which preaches artistic expression, and yet would support a decision that is clearly a product of a patriarchy-dominant society, which tries to control how women are depicted on screen. The MPAA is okay supporting scenes that portray women in scenarios of sexual torture and violence for entertainment purposes, but they are trying to force us to look away from a scene that shows a woman in a sexual scenario, which is both complicit and complex. It’s misogynistic in nature to try and control a woman’s sexual presentation of self. I consider this an issue that is bigger than this film.
Well done Ryan Gosling for using your status for feminist good- YOU ROCK!

If you haven't already seen 'Whip it' then I highly recommend that you do. I would definitely describe it as a feminist film, not because it's made by the one and only Drew Barrymore- a feminist in herself and one of the few female directors out there; but because of the representation of strong women and serious female empowerment. I personally relate to this film because the character, Bliss is worried about what her parents will think about her choices to do what she wants to and not care what others think. I think that is a big issue for young feminists like myself- my parents don't understand my choices but I know ultimately they support me if I'm happy. (Much like what happens in the film) So another great feminist role model: Drew Barrymore and all the cast of the amazing film- Whip it!


Judd Apatow is the producer of legendary film 'Bridesmaids'. Originally the film wasn't going to be the same story line by a while off, but Judd suggested the hilariously funny plot and stuck with it as a feminist, while most other people disagreed. It's great because it expresses women's empowerment and generally the fact that they can be funny. Bridesmaids is a film of women being funny; not because they're just being "women" but because they're actually FUNNY and they can prove themselves well, in what otherwise was a male dominated genre. So kudos to Judd Apatow for believing in the amazing women in this film against all odds.






www.thefrisky.com
www.womenandhollywood.com