Last night I went to see a screening of Miss Representation, a documentary that explores how the media’s representation of women has led to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence. The film, created by Jenifer Siebel Newsom, challenges the media’s limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions and for the average woman to feel powerful herself.
The film was thought-provoking and really opened my eyes to the type of message the media sends to girls and young women. A few facts that really struck me from the film were that while women have made great strides in leadership over the past few decades, the United States is still 90th in the world in the number of women in national legislatures, women hold only 3% of leading positions in mainstream media, and 65% of women and girls have disordered eating behaviors.
Miss Representation includes stories from teenage girls and boys, provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, entertainers, activists and academics, like Condoleezza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Margaret Cho, Rosario Dawson and Gloria Steinem infused with statistics and startling facts.
This film sends a vital message about the importance of media literacy and mentoring young girls and women, so that the next generation of girls is more confident and ready to take on positions of leadership.
Click here to visit the Miss Representation website, learn how we can help change the media and watch the trailer to the film. Find a screening in your own city and take some friends or maybe even organize a screening in your own community.
