Female empowerment in films
March marks Women’s History Month, and many films represent important figures to represent women’s rights and empowerment. Some films are based on the real-life experiences of historical persons, while others are fictional tales that promote gender equality.
Therefore, here are some feature films that demonstrate how generations of women are raising their voices to fight for necessary change like greater access to education and climate justice, through the example of figures like Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg.
There is no shortage of stories that examine what it means to break free from societal restraints and battle for justice like equal pay and equal rights, from the iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo to associate supreme court justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and tennis legend Billie Jean King. Whether one wishes to learn more about women’s history or is just interested in female entertainment, these movies are for them.
The powerful film Little Women, highlights societal obstacles women faced in the 19th century, such as the necessity to marry well and to live beneath the men they pick, and eventually promotes the idea that women should follow their own set of rules.
“This is one of my favorite movies not only because of the characters but the story plot and how it shows women can choose who they want to be and not follow its stereotypes like marrying young and starting a family,” said DBHS Junior Maria Mendez.
The Battle of the Sexes is a movie based on the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and self-described male chauvinist Bobby Riggs. Emma Stone plays Billie Jean King, a champion of women’s rights on the tennis court. To level the playing field between the sexes in sports, Billie Jean King demonstrates that female athletes deserve equal compensation as male athletes, and act as living examples that either gender may be the best bet in their fight.
Hidden Figures is a movie that was released in 2016, starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe. It is based on a true story about three female African American mathematicians, or what they called “computers” back then, from the early 1940s who played a prominent role in The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) but did not get enough credit for it. These characters, Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson were intelligent and worked well with computers. They could handle calculations like no other man on base and that attributed to the space launch of John Glenn. They paved the way for both women and African American people to be seen equally in their line of business.
It is excellent that many movies exist to teach this generation and everyone that learning about the accomplishments and efforts of women fosters self-respect, which is essential for all children and people now, and in the future.
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