Arts & Activism

Women have long used artistic expression as a method of liberation and feminist activism. From Renaissance painters and poets to today’s critics, actors, playwrights, musicians and filmmakers, art provides an important outlet for women’s creativity and resistance to the status quo. Women are present in growing numbers across genres of music, literature, and visual and performing arts, and they are breaking new ground at all levels of production, performance and industry management. Arts institutions, museums and galleries are displaying feminist work and promoting more female artists. Feminist organizations such as Guerrilla Girls are spurring collectors, curators, historians and institutions to recognize women artists and provide equal access and opportunities for success.

SPARK: Taking Sexy Back

By Kyla Bender-Baird

Sexualization of girls is nothing short of an epidemic,” said Hunter College President Jennifer Raab at the SPARK Summit this past Friday in NYC. SPARK stands for “Sexualization Protest: Action, Resistance, Knowledge.” SPARK was convened to challenge the sexualization of girls, which has a detrimental impact on girls’ self-esteem, body image, mental health, and sense of self-efficacy. One of the most disturbing effects that Raab pointed out is that self-improvement has been defined as changing one’s body rather than expanding one’s mind. For examples of just how out-of-control the sexualization of girls has become (and also how folks are pushing back), check out this video the Women’s Media Center produced for the Summit:


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SPARK Summit--Sexualization Protest: Action, Resistance, Knowledge

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10/22/2010

Challenging the Sexualization of Girls
Hunter College, NYC

What is SPARK?

Video: 
Who's Your Feminist Pop Culture Icon?
See video

Expert Profile

Location: 
United States
38° 15' 9.9648" N, 85° 45' 30.4056" W

Lucinda Marshall is the Director of the Feminist Peace Network (FPN) which she founded in December, 2001 as a virtual ‘room of our own’ where women concerned about how the impending U.S. invasion of Afghanistan (and later Iraq) would impact women’s lives could share their thoughts and ideas for action in a safe, supportive space. While initially focusing on militarism, the network, with participants from around the world, has expanded its vision to also address what Marshall calls the other terrorism, the systemic global pandemic of violence against women.

Location

Louisville, KY
United States
38° 15' 9.9648" N, 85° 45' 30.4056" W

Mother's Day Videos--They're all the Rage!

In preparation for the upcoming holiday--Mum's Day--many women's organizations have produced videos to celebrate the diverse voices and stories of mommies.  Check these out!

Tell Your Story with the Women's Media Center:

What did your mother teach you about reprodutive health? (from the Center for Reproductive Rights):

 


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That Moment Of Creating: Women Artists Report

Member Organization: 
Date/Time: 
04/29/2010

Time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm

Location: Lecture Hall, Epstein Building

Contact: Rosa Di Virgilio Taormina, 781-736-8111, taormina@brandeis.edu

Miami's Operation Jungle Red II: Raising awareness of violence against women

Member Organization: 
Women's Studies Program

4/07/2010

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