Emma Watson

You may know Emma Watson as the famous actress she is, but do you know her as a woman activist in today's society? Twenty-eight year old Watson was born on April 15, 1990 in Paris, France to mother, Jaqueline Luesby and father, Chris Watson. Five years after Watson was born her family decided to move to Oxfordshire, England where her father was born. Although modeling and acting is a big part of Watson's life, so is her education.

Emma Watson studied at various school from Lynams in 1995 to Dragon in 1998. In 2003 she was enrolled in an all girls private school named Headington. She also attended Brown University in 2012 where she earned her bachelors degree in English Literature.

As education is an important part of Emma Watson's life, she decided to promote how important education is for women. She went to Bangladesh and Zambia to promote the importance of women being educated and having a good education. In July 2014 Watson was named a UN Women Goodwill ambassador and later that year in September she gave a speech in New York City #HeForShe Campaign. This campaign was for men to advocate gender equalities and to end the idea of "men-hating".

She recently had a modeling picture in Vanity Fair Magazine where her breasts were some what showing. Of course critics had to jump all over this picture since she calls herself a feminist. She stated to the magazine "Feminism is about giving women choice; feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women. It's about freedom, it's about liberation, it's about equality. I really don't know why my tits have anything to do with it. It's very confusing" (Her Campus).

This explanation that Watson gave to the critic of Vanity Fair Magazine really hit home for me. Just because you call yourself a feminist and identify with it does not mean that you're going to cover yourself up and keep your lady parts a secret. Why should it matter if Emma Watson or any other female for that matter, wants to show off their "tits"? We should not teach women of today's society to cover themselves up just because we have boobs. We should teach one another to be confident in our bodies and be proud of who we are.

As for the #HeForShe Campaign, it is still something that still continues to go on today. It's goal is to continue to inform people that men and women are not being treated equal and to not stop this campaign until all genders are equal. It invites all genders to stand together and promote the importance of having gender equality in today's society. After all it IS 2018!




Works Cited:

“Emma Watson.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Sept. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Watson.


“UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson.” UN Women, www.unwomen.org/en/partnerships/goodwill-ambassadors/emma-watson.


Haim, Noa Ben. “Feminist Activist First, Actress Second: Emma Watson.” Her Campus, 20 Mar. 2017, 11:12 pm, www.hercampus.com/school/harvard/feminist-activist-first-actress-second-emma-watson.


“Emma Watson Biography: Success Story of Actress, Model, and Activist.” Astrum People, 2018, astrumpeople.com/emma-watson-biography/.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg - Laying Down the Law

Born March 15, 1933, Ruth Bader Ginsburg struggled with gender discrimination throughout her days in academia during the 50's and 60's before finally gaining her current position as Associate Justice for the Supreme Court of the United States.  She defied the odds by being at the top of her class at Harvard University as one of nine women in a 500-person class.  According to the Oyez archives of the Supreme Court, "She faced gender-discrimination from even the highest authorities there, who chastised her for taking a man's spot at Harvard Law."  She became the first female member of the Harvard Law Review, and she later finished her education at Columbia Law School, graduating first in her class.

After struggling to find work, Ginsburg gained employment as a clerk for U.S. District Judge Edmund L. Palmieri only because of a recommendation from a Columbia professor.  Having gained experience in the legal realm, she was offered positions at legal firms.  These businesses became her first clear confrontation with wage discrimination as she learned she would be paid significantly less than the male employees.  After becoming the first tenured female professor at Columbia, she directed the Women's Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union in the 70's.

Wage discrimination based on gender caught her attention specifically in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in which a female worker sued because of the disparity in wages, claiming a violation of Title VII rights.  After the Supreme Court ruled again Ledbetter, Ginsburg wrote a letter of dissent and later worked with President Obama to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 which reestablished protection from wage discrimination.

Ginsburg fought for more than women's rights; she argued gender equality for men in cases such as Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld and Califano v. Goldfarb in which social security benefits were denied for widowers, violating the Due Process Clause.  The cases were ruled in favor of the men by an 8-0 and 5-4 majority, respectively.

By continuing to pave the way for gender equality in a position of authority, Ginsburg has become an idol for feminists seeking to change the world.  Overcoming difficulties of the poor gender rights in the 50's and 60's and graduating at the top of her class at the prestigious Harvard and Columbia University have earned her the title as the role model she is today.  She will undoubtedly continue to argue Supreme Court cases that deal with gender issues in favor of removing the inequality left ambiguous in the current laws.  After ruling towards equal gender rights in the cases she has already argued and her passion to enact judicial change outside of the court, as seen with the Fair Pay Act of 2009, she will surely spend her life as a "Woman Warrior" in the feminist war.

Works Cited

Ginsburg, Ruth Bader. "Constitutional Adjudication in the United States as a Means of Advancing the Equal Stature of Men and Women under the Law," Hofstra Law Review vol. 26, no. 2 (Winter 1997):p. 263-272. HeinOnline, https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/hoflr26&i=275.

Markowitz, Peter L. "Straddling the Civil-Criminal Divide: A Bifurcated Approach to Understanding the Nature of Immigration Removal Proceedings," Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review vol. 43, no. 2 (Summer 2008): p. 289-352. HeinOnline, https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/hcrcl43&i=353

Oyez, Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law, www.oyez.org/.

Alice Paul: A Leader of a New Wave

Alice Paul, 1901

       When thinking of women's rights, its only fair to first think of Alice Paul. Not only was she the leader of the National Woman's Party, but was one of the key factor's in the 19th Amendment getting passed. Born on January 11th, 1885 to William and Tacie (Parry) Paul, Alice grew up in Morrestown, New Jersey. The oldest out of four, Alice grew up on a farm her father owned with her family. Coming from a Quaker background, Alice always had the ideas of gender equality and education for women set in stone. Her mother Tacie (a member of the National American Woman Suffrage Association) helped these ideas of women's rights come to life, bringing Alice with her to suffragist meetings as a child. 

After going to school, Alice traveled to England where she went from a Quaker who believed in rights for women, to a militant suffragist. There to study social work, she took this opportunity to learn more about what she could do for women. By coming into contact with Emmeline Pankhurst (who with her sister and mother ran one of the biggest groups of suffragettes in England), Alice was able to take part in picketing, hunger strikes, heckling, and even breaking things to get attention. With all of these new ideas and plans in her head, Alice headed back to the U.S. to see what she could do for the women back home.

Alice Paul in England, 1914

Once back in the States, Alice decided it was time to bring the methods she had learned to NAWSA (National American Suffrage Association). But to her dismay, the leaders did not believe that such tactics were needed and in 1916 she parted ways, creating the NWP (National Woman's Party). Instead of taking the same route as the NAWSA, the NWP took direct hits at the government, including President Wilson. While this ended in many of the members being put into horrible jail conditions, the NWP didn't stop there approaches throughout the hard times and soon enough President Wilson changed his thoughts. After Wilson announced his support in the group, the 19th Amendment was soon passed by both House and Senate.

Not only was Alice Paul an extremely brave woman for her time, but she had a fire that clearly could never be put out. She fought tirelessly through hunger strikes, public and police brutality, and much more to make sure that women had the same rights to vote as men. Reading her stories about what she went through to simply be able to vote made me feel like even today, I myself should be doing something. Alice Paul also showed to so many that no matter your background, if you truly believe in something you can make a difference. I don't personally think many would see Alice Paul and believe that from everything she had done (and how she had accomplished them) that she was Quaker, and that might be my favorite part about her. Seeing such a strong independent woman help others take on a Government run by men was inspiring, and it is very clear through everything we do have now as women that she made a monumental impact.

"When you put your hand to the plow, you can't put it down until you get to the end of the row." -Alice Paul

Alice Paul at the WNP headquarters in Washington, 1956

Works Cited

Carol, Rebecca, et al. “Who Was Alice Paul - API.” Alicepaul.org, www.alicepaul.org/who-was-alice-paul/.

“Alice Paul.” Edited by Debra Michals, National Women's History Museum, www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/alice-paul.

Ozmore, Susan. “Alice Paul – The Final Stretch for Women's Suffrage.” Saints, Sisters, and Sluts, 3 Oct. 2012, saintssistersandsluts.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/alice-paul-the-final-stretch-for-womens-suffrage/.

Diane Guerrero

 

Diane as she appears on the cover of her first book "In the Country We Love: My Family Divided"

You may be familiar with Diane Guerrero for her role of inmate Maritza on Orange Is the New Black, but she is so much more than that.

Early Life

Diane as a child

Diane Guerrero was born on July 21st, 1986 in Passaic, New Jersey. She was born the only U.S. citizen of her Colombian immigrant family. Later being raised in Boston, she arrived home one day from high school to discover her parents and older brother were gone, having been detained for deportation. She had to finish high school with the help of family friends who took her in, allowing her to finish her education. Diana reports her desire to act and perform has been lifelong, detailing in her book how she would put on shows and sing for her parents. In an interview from a few years back, Diane stated "I've always fantasized about being on stage or on TV or singing or presenting. As a kid, we couldn't really afford acting classes or at least steady classes so I would just take advantage of anything that was free or in the neighborhood or anything they offered after school. That was kind of my escape."   

Education

Diane attended Boston Arts Academy performing arts high school. She was a musical student, and belonged to the schools jazz group. After studying Political Science and Communications at Regis college, Diane worked at a law office with the hopes of becoming a lawyer. She reports that even though she was interested in working with the government or being a social worker, she reports that throughout college she wished she had gone to a theater school. 

Career

Diane moved to New York after deciding to take on her dream of being an actress. She began taking various acting classes and was picked up by her current manager. She has since been cast in various Latina roles, fighting for the chance for more representation on TV and film. Her best known roles have been Lina on Jane the Virgin and Maritza on Orange is the New Black. Her role as Maritza has contributed to 2 wins for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in Comedy Series.

Guerrero as Maritza in Orange is the New Black

Activism

In 2016, Diane opened up about her family being deported in her book In The Country We Love: My Family Divided. She shares her life story of before and after she was left alone in this country and how the United States immigration system has failed her and many others. She is currently a volunteer for Immigrant Legal Resource Center and Mi Familia Vota, which is an organization that promotes civic involvement. She was named an Ambassador of Citizenship and Naturalization by the White House. Most recently, Diane speaks out against the government's poor choices when it comes to separating families, and how children and families will only suffer if this continues. Diane continues to use her voice to fight against separation of families.

Diane's Emotional Families Belong Together Speech

“Even if you can’t be an activist every day, when you can be, do it. If you have money, donate it. If you have time, donate that time. If you have a story to tell, share that story. There’s a list of things you can do, and even educating yourself is a form of revolution in my opinion.”

Diane's interview discussing her book and personal experience with deportation

Diane's book

Sources

http://inthecountrywelove.com 

http://remezcla.com/features/film/diane-guerrero-of-orange-is-the-new-black-is-on-the-front-lines-of-fighting-for-more-latinas-on-tv-fil/

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/my-family-divided-diane-guerrero-recounts-toll-her-own-family-n893086

Dolores Huerta

Who is Dolores Huerta?

Dolores Clara Fernández Huerta best known as Dolores Huerta. She is an American labor leader and a civil rights activist. Born in April 10th 1930 (age 88), in Dawson, New Mexico, daughter of Alicia Chavez and Juan Fernandez. She grew up in a poor neighborhood in Stockton California an area well known as the San Joaquin Valley As a child she faced consistent discrimination for being of Mexican American heritage. At a young age she showed signs of a strong and educated female. Young Huerta played violin, piano, had dance lessons, and was a member of the Girls Scout up until she was 18.

Dolores had an education degree from Delta Community College and as soon as she became a teacher, she realized many of her students were poor and farm workers. Therefore, she became one of the founders of the Stockton chapter of Community Service Organization (CSO). This organization helped to improve living conditions of farm workers and fight discrimination among the community.

In 1959, Cesar Chavez had established his presence in the fight for immigrants' rights and he now sought out local community organizations to begin the political movement.In 1960, Dolores created the  Agricultural Workers Association (AWA). This organization helped farm workers get fair treatment and equal opportunities. Through this organization she lobbied politicians on many issues such as allowing immigrant workers without a citizenship receive government pension, creating a Spanish-language voting ballot, and many more. Through this organization she was also able to meet Cesar Chavez and together they became a power duo. They co-founded a workers' union which was later known as the United Farm Workers (UFW). This association became massive and was a factor that started the movement that many know till this day with famous quotes such "si se puede!" translated as "Yes we can!" this famous quotes became a highlight during Barack Obama's 2008 presidency.

Till this day, Dolores,now age 88, is still an activist fighting for rights such as Women's rights and social justice for all. she is the president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation which advocates for working poor, women and children. She travels daily, speaking at universities and organizational forums on issues of social justice and public policy. At the age of 88 she continues to fight for human right with every resource she has available, she has become well respected, well known all throughout the world, and a woman figure to many. She has inspired many young female immigrants such as me and many others to believe that you can fight for what you believe in. she proved to future generations that there is always a fight to fight and that we should unite no matter the gender, race, or nationality to improve everyone's well being.

Works Cited

"Dolores Huerta". Biography, 2018, https://www.biography.com/people/dolores-huerta-188850. Accessed 10 Sept 2018.

"Dolores Huerta: Ahead Of Her Time - Women’S Media Center". Womensmediacenter.Com, 2018, http://www.womensmediacenter.com/news-features/dolores-huerta-ahead-of-her-time. Accessed 10 Sept 2018.

 "Feminist Majority". Feminist.Org, 2018, http://www.feminist.org/welcome/board/Dolores-Huerta.htm. Accessed 10 Sept 2018.

figure 1. "Dolores Huerta: A Hero Of The Farmworker Movement Finally Gets Her Due - Modern Farmer". Modern Farmer, 2018, https://modernfarmer.com/2017/09/dolores-huerta-hero-farmworker-movement-finally-gets-due/. Accessed 11 Sept 2018.

figure 2.  afophs, View. "Dolores Huerta: Champion Of Civil Rights For All". Health & Safety Programs, 2018, https://afophs.wordpress.com/2017/04/13/dolores-huerta-champion-of-civil-rights-for-all/. Accessed 11 Sept 2018.

Emma Watson: Movie Star, Fashion Icon, Activist

Background:

Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson was born on April 15th, 1990, in Paris​ to Jacqueline Luesby and Chris Watson​. She grew up in Oxfordshire​, England, and had a fairly normal childhood. She attended the Dragon School and then went to acting school at the Stagecoach Theatre Arts​. Her first professional film role was the well-loved character of Hermione from the Harry Potter series when she was just 11. Now 28 years old, Watson has greatly matured from the adorable, frizzy-haired girl she played in Harry Potter to an intelligent woman who inturn became an activist for other women. In order to understand Watson as an activist, we must first look at her film, modeling, and fashion careers as they are an essential part of why she became so famous which boosted her opportunities as an activist and helped her make a difference. 

Emma Watson as Hermione in the Harry Potter series

Film Career:

Here I have complied a list of the roles Emma Watson has performed in film. Her acting career was what lead to her rise to fame and turned her into a cultural icon. Many of these films are ones that have won awards and are well-known to most people, leading to her becoming a household name. 

Film Roles:


Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone- Hermione Granger (2001)​
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)​
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)​
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)​
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)​
Ballet Shoes (TV Movie)- Pauline Fossil (2007)​
The Tale of Despereaux- Princess Pea (voice) (2008)​
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)​

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)​Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
My Week with Marilyn- Lucy (2011)​
The Parks of Being a Wallflower- Sam (2012)​
The Bling Ring- Nicki (2013)​
This Is the End- Emma Watson (2013)​
Noah- Ila (2014)​
The Vicar of Dibley (TV Series)- Reverend Iris (2015)​
The Colony- Lena (2015)​
Regression- Angela Gray (2015)​
Beauty and the Beast- Belle (2017)​
The Circle- Mae (2017)

Activism in her Film Career

When viewing the director's cut for the movie The Beauty and The Beast, Watson brought along her mother and well-known activist Gloria Steinem. She wanted to make sure that the movie meant something to those she cared about, and also that it did not conflict with her feminist ideals. Steinem loved the movie, which was reassuring for Emma, and even said,  "It was fascinating that her activism could be so well mirrored by the film... It’s this love of literature that first bonds the Beauty to the Beast, and also what develops the entire story.”. This points to the fact that Belle is a sort of feminist princess which is an interesting concept. 
Watson also helped to develop the character of Belle further, thus making her more feminist in her essence. In the original Disney cartoon Belle is her father's inventing assistant, but in the modern version she created her own washing machine so she has time to read more. This makes Belle herself an inventor, giving her more power as a female character. Watson also made sure that Belle had bloomers and riding boots instead of dresses and slippers as it was just ridiculously impractical and obviously only for looks. 

Modeling and Fashion Career:

Emma Watson's 2005 Teen Vogue Cover

Emma Watson's career in the modeling and fashion industry began in 2005 when she did a photo shoot for Teen Vogue. Watson was the youngest person to ever be on the cover. She then began to model for campaigns like Burberry (2009) and Lancome (2011), and helped created a line of clothing for People Tree in February of 2010. 

Incorporating her Activism Into Fashion: 

Watson wore a dress completely made of recycled water bottles to a Meta gala, and is reported to ask her fashion designers to fill out a form that tells her how the material for the piece of clothing is made, if it is good for the environment, and why is it is morally sound that she should wear the piece on the red carpet. 

"Fashion is a great way to empower people and give them skills; rather than give cash to charity you can help people by buying the clothes they make and supporting things they take pride in. I think young people like me are becoming increasingly aware of the humanitarian issues surrounding fast fashion and want to make good choices but there aren't many options out there." - Emma Watson

Watson as an Activist

Watson has done A LOT of activist work, in order to cover my bases, I comprised another list below highlighting much of the work that she has done. The particular one I would like to focus on is her speech at the United Nations headquarters that began the United Nations Women campaign HeForShe, which asks men to get involved in the conversation of gender inequality. I have included a video of the speech she gave below, as I feel as though it truly speaks for itself, and shows Watson's passion for gender equality.

• Promoted education for girls while visiting Bangladesh and Zambia​
• July 2014- became a UN Women Goodwill ambassador​
• Delivered a speech at UN Headquarters to kick off the UN Women campaign HeForShe, this campaign asks for men to stand up for gender equality. ​
• Traveled to Uraguay to give a speech concerning women involvement in politics​
• Name Feminist Celebrity of the Year in December of 2014 by Ms. Foundation for Women​
• Spoke about gender equality at the Worlds Economic Forum in Jaunuary 2015​
• Number 1 on Ask Men “top 99 Outstanding Women 2015”​
• #26 on Time100's list of world’s most influential people​
• January 2016- began a feminist Goodreads book club called Our Shared Shelf 
• Interviewed Gloria Steinem on February 24th 2016 at the How to: Academy in London​
• Brought activist Marai Larasi as a guest to the 75th Golden Globe Awards in 2018

Why Emma Watson's Work is Important

Emma Watson is a movie star, model, fashion designer, but most importantly an activist. As a woman who has been in the public spotlight for quite some time she had a choice whether to leave her mark on history as just a celebrity, or as something more. Emma's careful decisions during her career and her actual work in activism show that she is much more than just a movie star, but also a woman of great wisdom with a sense of civic duty. Her activism is very relevant today, as she continues to fight for women's rights in career choices and personal decisions regularly.

Works Cited

“Emma Watson.” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/name/nm0914612/.​


Heforshe. “Emma Watson HeForShe Speech at the United Nations | UN Women 2014.” YouTube, YouTube, 22 Sept. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0Dg226G2​


Blasberg, Derek, et al. “Cover Story: Emma Watson, Rebel Belle.” HWD, Vanity Fair, 25 May 2017, www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/02/emma-watson-cover-story.​


“Emma Watson.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 8 July 2017, www.biography.com/people/emma-watson-20660247.

Ella Baker

Who Was Ella Baker?

Ella Baker emerged as one of the most influential women in the civil rights movement as she contributed her skills and principals as an activist. Ella Josephine Baker was born in Norfolk, Virginia where she established a deep perception of dignity. While attending school she disagreed with school policies which she believed were unjust, such as the schools dress code, racism, religion, and the Bible. Baker graduated as class valedictorian in 1927, at Shaw University.

Baker spent her time helping local leaders create and enact campaigns against lynching (to put to death, by hanging, by mob action), and for African American teachers to receive equal pay. She was an expert at acknowledging members who had the skill set and ability to take on leadership roles. She advocated extensive, local measures as a method of social change. Baker was able to use her past experiences and contacts

to help plan future protests and campaigns and chose what individuals would lead them.

"Remember, we are not fighting for the freedom of the Negro alone, but for the freedom of the human spirit, a larger freedom that encompasses all mankind"-Ella Baker 

 When the Montgomery Bus Boycott turned out to be a success, Martin Luther king decided he also wanted to establish an organization to develop similar boycotts throughout the south. With the help of Baker, she was able to create the groups goals and agenda. She later on moved to Atlanta to lead the Southern Christian Leadership Conference which was associated with Dr. King. Dr. King and Baker's relationship wasn’t always easy as stated “Despite her level of experience and proven track record, he had difficulty allowing a woman’s decisions to trump his own, and her idea was that the organization should devote its resources more to promoting and enabling its overall mission rather than celebrating a charismatic leader”.  

Ella Baker is a passionate and pronounced woman that if everyone was as driven as her, positive changes could occur within society. She worked mostly behind the scenes in most protest but without her organizing the events they would not have been possible. She symbolizes what a female warrior should stand for that has had to fight against powerful men for her voice to be heard. Baker spent her life's work being a civils rights leader, helped develop the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. Ella Baker, the mother of the Civil Rights Movement, without her Americans may never have acquired Dr. King’s messages.

"You didn't see me on television, you didn't see news stories about me. The kind of role that I tried to play was to pick up pieces or put together pieces out of which I hoped organization might come. My theory is, strong people don't need strong leaders" -Ella Baker 

Works Cited:

“Ella Baker.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Sept. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ella_Baker#New_York_City.

Scelfo, Julie. “MLK Day: Meet Ella Baker, Mother of Civil Rights Movement.” Time, Time, 16 Jan. 2017, time.com/4633460/mlk-day-ella-baker/.

“Who Was Ella Baker?” Ella Baker Center, ellabakercenter.org/about/who-was-ella-baker.