Women, Media, Influence: Tuesday, Feb. 28, 6:45 p.m.
Documentary explores why so few women hold positions of power
by Staff
Question: Why are only a small percentage of powerful positions held by women? In the U.S. House of Representatives, there are 72 women out of 435, or 16.6 per cent. In Canada’s 41st Parliament there are 76 out of 308, or 24.7 per cent, thanks in large part to the 40 NDP women elected in the” orange crush.
Answer: A new documentary lays the blame at the doorstep of women’s portrayal in the media.
Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Miss Representation exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film 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 is presented at The Revue on Tuesday, February 28, at 6:45 p.m. by Crankytown.ca, a website for girls on getting their period, and Fresh Restaurants.
Miss Representation includes stories from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, entertainers, activists and academics like Condoleezza Rice, Lisa Ling, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Rosario Dawson, Jackson Katz, Jean Kilbourne, and Gloria Steinem. The film offers startling facts and statistics that will leave audiences shaken and armed with a new perspective.
The film first premiered in the documentary competition at the Sundance Film Festival where it caught the eye of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. It made its television debut as part of the OWN documentary film club in October 2011, with over 1.3 million people tuning in to its multiple airings. Additional screenings with corporations, non-profits, religious groups, government organizations and communities are happening every day all over the world.
A panel discussion follows the screening.