#empoweringwomen Archives - Four Columns of a Balanced Life

Hollywood Women’s Empowerment

admin — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 13:31:31 +0000

Hollywood movies on women’s empowerment are an excellent source of inspiration and motivation for women across the world.

Hollywood has used movies as a powerful medium to convey stories that highlight the issues faced by women and their struggles for equality. These movies showcase the diverse experiences of women, their resilience, and their courage to fight against social norms and inequalities.

Hollywood produced a powerful movie on women’s empowerment Erin Brockovich. Directed by Steven Soderbergh and released in 2000, the movie is based on the true story of Erin Brockovich, a single mother who fights against a corporate giant for polluting the water supply of a small town in California. The movie highlights the strength and determination of a woman who, despite all odds, emerges as a champion of justice.

Another powerful Hollywood movie on women’s empowerment is Hidden Figures, released in 2016, directed by Theodore Melfi. The movie tells the story of three African American women who worked at NASA in the 1960s and played a significant role in the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. The movie highlights the struggles of these women who had to fight against racism and sexism to achieve their goals.

Little Women, directed by Greta Gerwig and released in 2019, is a modern retelling of the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott. The movie tells the story of the four March sisters and their struggles to find their place in society during the Civil War era. The movie highlights the strong bond of sisterhood and the courage of women to pursue their dreams despite societal expectations.

Thelma and Louise, released in 1991 and directed by Ridley Scott, is a classic feminist movie that tells the story of two women who escape their mundane lives and embark on a road trip that turns into a journey of self-discovery. The movie highlights the issues of sexual assault and violence against women and shows the courage of women to stand up for themselves. This is women’s empowerment in Hollywood at its best.

A League of Their Own, released in 1992 and directed by Penny Marshall, is a sports movie that tells the story of a women’s baseball team during World War II. The movie highlights the struggles of women to pursue their passion for sports during a time when men dominated the field.

Wonder Woman, released in 2017 and directed by Patty Jenkins, is a superhero movie that features a female lead. The movie tells the story of Diana, a princess of the Amazon tribe who becomes Wonder Woman and fights against evil forces. Hollywood showcases the strength and power of women’s empowerment and challenges the stereotype that women are weak and powerless.

Frida, released in 2002 and directed by Julie Taymor, is a biopic of the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The movie tells the story of her life and her struggles to pursue her passion for art despite her physical disabilities and the societal norms of her time. The movie highlights the resilience of a woman who refuses to give up on her dreams.

Million Dollar Baby, released in 2004 and directed by Clint Eastwood, is a sports drama that tells the story of Maggie, a waitress who dreams of becoming a boxer. The movie highlights the struggles of a woman to pursue a career in a male-dominated field and the strength and determination of a woman to fight for what she wants.

Suffragette, released in 2015 and directed by Sarah Gavron, is a historical drama that tells the story of the women’s suffrage movement in the UK. The movie highlights the struggles of women to get the right to vote and the courage of women to fight against societal norms.

Legally Blonde, released in 2001 and directed by Robert Luketic, is a comedy that tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who becomes a lawyer to win back her ex-boyfriend. Through her determination and intelligence, she proves that she is more than just a pretty face.

The Help (2011) set in the 1960s, this film follows the lives of African-American maids working in white households in Mississippi. Their stories reveal the racial tensions and the power of friendship and solidarity.

Mona Lisa Smile (2003) is about Katherine Watson, an art history professor, who challenges her conservative students at Wellesley College in the 1950s. She encourages them to think independently and pursue their own passions, breaking societal norms.

9 to 5 (1980) tells the story of three working women, fed up with their sexist and egotistical boss, who team up to take revenge and create a more equitable workplace. This comedy sheds light on gender inequality and workplace dynamics.

Norma Rae (1979) is based on a true story, Norma Rae, a factory worker, becomes a labor union organizer, fighting for fair wages and better working conditions. Her courage inspires others to stand up for their rights.

North Country (2005) is A fictionalized account of the first major successful sexual harassment case in the United States. A female miner endures harassment and discrimination but ultimately takes legal action against her employer.

Steel Magnolias (1989) is a heartwarming drama that portrays the lives of a group of Southern women who support each other through laughter, tears, and life’s challenges. It explores themes of friendship, love, and resilience.

Queen of Katwe (2016) is based on a true story, about a young girl from the slums of Uganda who becomes a chess prodigy and breaks social barriers. This inspiring film highlights the transformative power of education and determination.

The Color Purple (1985): Set in the early 20th century, the movie explores the lives of African-American women in the Southern United States. It tackles issues of racism, sexism, and abuse while celebrating resilience and sisterhood.

Bend It Like Beckham (2002) is about Jess, a British-Indian teenager, who aspires to play football professionally, but her traditional Sikh family opposes it. She challenges cultural expectations and follows her dreams, proving that gender and cultural barriers can be overcome.

Wild (2014) is based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir, the film chronicles her solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail to find herself after personal hardships. It portrays her physical and emotional journey toward healing and self-discovery.

Hollywood’s approach to women in movies has evolved over the years, reflecting the changing social attitudes and demands for more diverse and inclusive storytelling. While there have been notable improvements, there is still work to be done to achieve full gender equality and representation on screen.

Representation

Hollywood has made progress in representing women from various backgrounds, ethnicities, and perspectives. There is a growing recognition of the importance of diverse female characters who can serve as relatable role models for audiences.

Strong Female Characters

The industry has shifted towards developing stronger and more complex female characters who are not solely defined by their romantic relationships or as sidekicks to male protagonists. Many movies now feature women in lead roles, showcasing their agency, strength, and resilience.

Gender Stereotypes

Hollywood is gradually breaking away from traditional gender stereotypes by challenging the notion that women should be confined to specific roles or archetypes. Female characters are now more likely to be portrayed as intelligent, powerful, and capable individuals in various professions and areas of expertise.

There has been an increased push for gender parity behind the scenes as well, with more female directors, writers, and producers being given opportunities. This shift helps ensure that stories about women are told from their perspectives and with authenticity.

Representation of Women’s Stories

Hollywood has started to explore a wider range of stories that center around women’s experiences and issues. These stories often address topics such as gender inequality, motherhood, sexual assault, and empowerment, giving voice to important narratives that were previously overlooked.

Pay Equity

The issue of pay disparity between male and female actors has gained attention in recent years. Prominent actresses and activists have advocated for equal pay, shedding light on the gender wage gap in the industry. While progress has been made, there is still a significant disparity that needs to be addressed.

Despite these positive developments, there are ongoing challenges. Women still face obstacles in the industry, including ageism, limited opportunities for older actresses, and underrepresentation in certain genres like action and science fiction. Hollywood continues to grapple with issues of objectification and unrealistic beauty standards for women on screen. However, the growing awareness and demand for change are encouraging signs that the industry is moving towards a more inclusive and equitable representation of women in movies.

The post Hollywood Women’s Empowerment appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

Mayple Dorrington: Finding the Meaning of Life

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 13:34:28 +0000

What is the meaning of life?

I have known Mayple Dorrington since I started my career at Scotia Bank. Mayple was Director, Communications and Change Management at Scotia Bank. Mayple recently wrote a book called Finding: The Oasis in my Soul. It is a journal, an encouraging journey through the spectrum of real-life experiences of trials and triumphs. As you read her book, you can relate to it. You will see a reflection of your own experiences. The book asks some relevant questions about having an empty void within us, do we have doubts about our gifts, weaknesses, our purpose, and our identity?

I am a big fan of gratitude, and this book challenges my thinking to transform my mind and to get a deeper conviction of love and purpose in my life. If you are struggling with insecurity, fear, uncertainty, or anxiety, get the book, become empowered, lead an authentic life, and transform yourself into what you are intended to be. This is the first of a two-part interview.

Mayple, a true honor to have you talk to four columns. Tell my audience a little bit about you?

Jerry, firstly I want to thank you for the opportunity to participate in your blog. I’m deeply honored to be having this dialogue with you and your audience.

Born on the beautiful island of Jamaica I grew up in a happy, loving family cushioned in a viable business environment. The business became a casualty following the aftermath of the 1970s economic downturn in my country and the outcome later triggered my family’s immigration to another beautiful country, Canada. With a business mindset, I later pursued that area of study and embarked on an amazing career in the financial industry that spanned 3 continents with direct access to over 27 countries. Alongside my banking occupation of choice, I am an author and a motivational speaker. My professional designations include an economist, chartered banker, high school teacher and a personal financial planner.

I am a devout Christian who anchored my beliefs, decisions, and hope in the power of the risen Jesus Christ. With my teaching discipline, I constantly volunteer my skills for mentoring and coaching and by my mentees’ own admission, I have the knack to identify, develop and empower countless persons in reaching their personal goals.

Having said that, my passion is primarily centered around the relationships I forged working with people drawn from across the globe and living in the most multicultural city in the world. Through these experiences, I learned how to coexist with people, understand their behaviors, outlook, and preferences, and dispense greater tolerance, acceptance, and compassion in helping others. An area that keeps me growing is to intentionally embrace the power of mindfulness. This awareness constantly provokes and inspires me to challenge my mind, peel away layers of obscurity, to look deeper and wider for insights toward the path in finding truths.

Finding: The oasis in my soul. It is an intense name for a book. How did the book come about? What is the main message? Who is the audience? What is unique and different about the message?

Jerry, there’s lots to unpack here… yes, the name is indeed intense. You may notice I deliberately said “Finding” and not “Find” or “Found” because it’s a journey, not a destination. My book chronicles an inspiring journey through the lens of my real-life experiences of trials and triumphs and using what I have been through to come to a place of what I now know for sure.

Strangely the genesis of my book was drawn from my wanderlust nature. Traveling to many countries, living amongst diverse nationalities, and conversing with numerous people from different walks of life, age, and outlook; hearing their stories, the many dreams realized, the hardships overcame, and bouncing back from mistakes, I realized how much we all have in common.

I wrote the book to expose our human commonality and to express how I cultivate the power to confront and stare down the debilitating state of uncertainty, worry, and fear. How like myself, we can overcome our shortcomings and elevate our talents and self-worth to be the best.

During my speaking engagements, after sharing my story, which is often intertwined with slices from the lives of many others, seeing the visceral reaction of agreement from my diverse audience, I validated how we all want to feel valued, loved, and accepted. The main point is to have a positive self-image of not who I am, but who God intended me to be. How I claim truth and confidence from the backdrop of biblical examples of trust, faith, and obedience. Each chapter illustrates a meaningful life experience, which is brutally frank about what I learned, the impact of the practical application, and my spiritual transformation. Each reader will walk away with valuable nuggets to build their confidence and self-worth.

My core objective and the key message are to challenge the readers’ thinking and arouse a sense of gratitude, wonder, and introspection, allowing us to draw from an ever-renewing Oasis where we can replace worry, fear, and doubt with the joyful assurance of God’s promises and faithfulness.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive that this is exactly the response it evokes. I painted a graphic picture of my experiences, whether illness, a hero to zero career moves, friendship betrayal, family choices, to be transformed, to come to a place of rest, not a place of stop, but resting on the dependence and assurance of God’s love while seeking new adventures to spread my wings. The overarching message may not be unique or different, but it’s worth reinforcing to keep us building self-awareness on how we can draw inspiration and hope from seemingly common encounters and events in our lives. It about seeing and acknowledging God’s love and handiwork in all aspects of our lives.

Explain to me what does women’s empowerment means to you?

Empowerment is about acting on my own volition, having options, having the autonomy to make choices. Really, Jerry, it’s to emancipate me from the sense of powerlessness, to become self-determined, being able to take charge of my life by owning my decisions, circumstances, hopes, and dreams, growing stronger, wiser, and more confident.

Having said that, for me, I do not believe women’s empowerment is independent of the influence of men. I strongly believe men and women were created with different, but complementary traits. When working in unity, we unleash the freedom to both look outward, naturally curious in opening ourselves to the universe, feeling supported to take risks, and to reimagine possibilities based on the imagery of how to think, rather than the limitation of what to think.

I have countless examples of gender neutrality during brainstorming, problem-solving, and trouble-shooting that delivered the optimum results, mainly because women are allowed the latitude, civility, and respect to explore and articulate their thoughts without judgment or fear. This type of liberation allows me to embrace and benefit from a diversity of thoughts; to see ideas from various points of view, despite differences reaching common ground, by filtering everything through what is pleasing to God. Why, because like all good things, true and authentic empowerment comes from honoring the will of God.

I am a big fan of being authentic and leading a transparent life. Help me understand what you mean by living an authentic life?

Yes, Jerry, authentic and transparent are two buzz words presently tossed around a lot! Irrespective of the scholarly definition, at the core, this is about living one’s truth, what we know for sure, which can be shaped by our many experiences.

For me, it is when my values and beliefs are compatible with the integrity of my doctrine, actions, and words. It’s about self-awareness, knowing myself at a deep level, accepting my multi-faceted traits, my strengths, and imperfections; having the desire to continuously grow as I reconcile my good, bad and ugly qualities, which are common to all of us. I find that oftentimes, with increasing societal pressure, we lean into what the world prescribed as a success. Whether to gain wealth, fame, alter our appearance or job aspiration, we can compromise who we are created to be which often leads to self-loathing, and unhappiness.

To justify my point, let’s take a look at the billions in revenue generated from cosmetic industries, fake content, scamming, Ponzi schemes, and the like. You see, in our humanness, our hearts are deceitful, full of pride, and can easily trap us in a state of denial and falseness to elevate ourselves. I am not immune to this pretense, but growing in spiritual maturity and wisdom, I try to be deliberate in not allowing this malignant state to frighten or paralyze me, but to be powered by my dependence on the spirit God graciously places within us. As I summon the courage to live from a place of acceptance, growth, humility, and inner peace, only then, I can be the best expression of myself, which will be evident to impact others as I attract, influence, and sustain meaningful relationships.

The post Mayple Dorrington: Finding the Meaning of Life appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

Zenovia Shaw: The Definition of Wisdom

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 05:00:03 +0000

February is Black History Month.

I talk to Zenovia Shaw, a game-changer in society with her love for her family, her people, and her country.

Zenovia, welcome to my series on Women With Wisdom. Please tell my audience something about you.

My name is Zenovia V. Shaw. I am a 56-year old woman who is passionate about life, family, and purpose. I live in Pickering, Ontario, and I have been married for 31 years. I am a mother and a grandmother. I became a Christian 27 years ago and have not looked back.
I am self-employed as an esthetician. I love people, travel, gardening, and hosting gatherings…I am what you call a total extrovert!

Why is black history month important?

I believe history is history (from all backgrounds/nationalities) and should be integrated throughout the whole year and taught to everyone; however, I am grateful for the opportunity to have February as black history month. There has been so much given to the world by black men and women, and their stories are not widely known by the majority of the population. Great contributions, inventions, and examples of upstanding citizens. Things I was never taught as a youth to help develop that great sense of pride in my heritage. So much of what I saw and heard in society or in the media about black people was portrayed in a negative way. Black history month provides an ‘open door’ for everyone to walk through to educate themselves in hopes of refreshing their views.

Let’s discuss marriage! Give my audience some advice on marriage, what to look for, the challenges, how to stick through the thick and thin?

Marriage is not to be entered into lightly! Take more time to focus on the marriage than the wedding. For the wedding, which lasts for a day, every detail is planned and rehearsed, but too often the preparation for the marriage, which is supposed to last a lifetime, does not get the same level of attention.

Focus on what commitment looks like for a healthy relationship. Have fun together, laugh, serve God and others together. It is absolutely fine to say “I’m sorry” and “please forgive me”. In the marriage relationship, mutual respect, trust, and consideration are paramount. When disagreements occur, fight ‘clean and fair’. Once words are spoken, they cannot be unspoken…words do hurt! Another boundary to never cross is physical harm.

Once children enter the equation, the relationship changes as you focus less on each other and take on the responsibility to raise the children. For us, life threw some curveballs our way, such as financial or health challenges, to test our mettle. These challenges have all happened in our marriage. My kidneys failed two years into our marriage. Having gone through the stages of dialysis and organ transplantation 18 years ago, I am still going strong with the support of my husband, family, and friends. It is only for the glory of God. We as a family hung on to God’s word, prayer, promises, love, grace, and purpose.

We agreed as a couple that there will be no back doors in our marriage if we hold on to these principles.

How has motherhood and becoming a grandmother changed you? What were some of the challenges and what did you learn?

What a great responsibility! I totally enjoyed every moment of raising our daughter and son, even though our daughter did not sleep through the night for the first 13 months of her life! It was very exhausting, and I am still trying to catch up on sleep 30 years later. However, with every stage of their lives (the joys, cuts, bruised knees, colds, chickenpox, hormones, mess-ups, victories, great achievements) I’ve learned to enjoy every minute and still continue to do so. I understood that God entrusted them to me to enjoy and to teach and train them to know Him.

Now being a grandmother, the emotions of love, adoration, are heightened. There are no words to describe what I feel for my grandchildren. All I know is I want them to know how much I love them, how much God loves them and desires them to have a life to the full.

Please give yourself advice when you were 14, 24, and 34 yrs old?

Age 14

Focus on school more and not be concerned about other people’s opinions of you. Don’t even think about boys!

Age 24

Ask my parents more questions about their lives and experiences. Tell them I love them more. Find more meaningful ways to express my love for them.

Give that real estate course another chance.

This is a good time to begin saving for retirement.

High five on choosing to date the man I am now married best friends with for 33 years.

Age 34

No one ever plans to suffer illness in life, but these things do happen. Face your challenge head-on knowing it is happening for a reason and your experience will not be wasted. You will be able to help others who will go through the same challenges.

I know faith is very important to you. Walk me through your own journey and what you are learning about it?

I believe full well that God put eternity on the hearts of man. Realizing at an early age that the void that I felt in my life was not being filled with…the job, money, things, seeking love and acceptance from man, starting my own family unit. I somehow knew God had to play a part in the true purpose of being.

I, therefore, embarked on my journey to find a deeper meaning for my existence. I tried church hopping, to see which denomination was a fit. I became envious of those who had a deep love for God. I couldn’t understand why I didn’t (or couldn’t) develop that type of relationship.

I always believed in the God of heaven but not until I stumbled upon a bible-teaching church did I get to know the character of God and truly who he is. Once I got to know God and his depth of love for me, my love for him began to grow. Life began to have genuine joy and purpose. I was happy due to my circumstances (marriage, kids, etc.), but now, I experience a joy that comes with confidence knowing who I am and what I have in Christ.

As humans, we were made to connect and be in relationships. However, with social media and modern life is making us more lonely. Give some advice as to how we can become a part of a community?

As humans, we were made to connect. That is how we were created. We are social beings and we weren’t meant to be alone.

Social media has given some of the shy types a voice and a presence to express themselves. It has given those who like to encourage others a platform to reach as many as possible with words of inspiration, pictures of the world around us, greetings, etc. On the dark side, it has been used to hurt and diminish others.

To become a part of a community, I think the key is to become more outward. Seek to make a difference in some small way. Focus on giving more than taking. Beware of the ‘what’s in it for me’ mentality. I’ve found that these principles bring true joy and happiness.

Volunteering is a great way to become part of a community.

Serve your neighbors (help with snow removal, mow lawns, rake leaves) especially if they are elderly, widows, or special needs.
Visit seniors in nursing homes or retirement homes where loneliness is a real issue
Coach a team
Teach life skills at a local community center

Rapid-fire…

Favorite restaurant….Benihana Japanese restaurant

Favorite meal…stew chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, rice, salad

Favorite movie…Pride and Prejudice (with Colin Firth)

Famous person to have a meal with…President Obama

What would I ask:

Moses: How were you feeling emotionally/physically that brought you to the point of disobedience when you struck the rock when you were directed to speak to it?

Jonah: Why were you hesitant to go to Nineveh?

Paul: When you were struck with blindness on the road to Damascus, what were your thoughts and fears?

Mary: As you watched your son as a toddler, what was one thing he said or did that you stored up in your heart?

Sarah: How did you feel when you were presented as a sister and not a wife by Abram?

The post Zenovia Shaw: The Definition of Wisdom appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.