Soapbox's Feminist Winter Term

Today I was thrilled to do a workshop on body awareness at Amy Richards' and Jennifer Baumgardner's Feminist Winter Term.  This amazing program gives savvy, passionate students and professionals a platform to come together for a week of feminist powwow.  Yes!  It's these sort of groups and events that help negate cynicism and feelings of futility.

And you can jump in at their Feminist Summer Camp (or of course, next year's Winter Term).

30 Allies in 30 Days

Hardy Girls Healthy Women is highlighting 30 Allies in 30 Days leading up to their SPARK Summit on how to fight the sexualization of girls in media.  You've got to check out all the inspiring things these women are doing and join them in their efforts! I'm honored to be included as today's sister ally.  See you at SPARK!

Great summer media literacy programs!

Just got wind of a couple great media literacy programs this summer:

Press Pass TV Media Camp
Project Look Sharp Media Literacy Institute

And I'm sure there are more...so please add them in comments!

Action Item: American Apparel Hits Rock “Bottom”

Hardy Girls is leading the protest against American Apparel's new search for "the perfect bottom," an ad campaign which encourages girls to post online pics of their derrieres in American Apparel intimates.  Sign this petition and spread the word!

Contest for women 18-24

Similar to The REAL Hot 100, this contest is looking for an "It Girl"--who's "It" based on her passions and work, rather than looks. (Different than the REAL Hot 100 which is a grassroots effort, this content is corporate sponsored by Ortho Women's Health & Urology™, makers of birth control pills.) Jennifer Kohanim is promoting this contest and writes:

"The “It Girl” Essentials contest –which has a deadline of August 31st– is a search for confident and reliable women who have a passion for changing the world through the arts. The contest calls on participants to tell their story, either by submitting a video (1-2 minutes) or essay (500 words or less) via www.itgirlessentials.com."

Vote to help fund In Her Image!

Ok folks, I need one second of your time to help fund In Her Image!

For the past five years, I have been lucky enough to present my media literacy/body image program and facilitate accompanying workshops nationwide at schools, conferences, clinics, and universities. Now, to continue this work toward social change, I need some funding!

So a few days ago, I applied to the Nau Collective’s Grant for Change. This grant is exciting because it’s partly decided by public vote — which is where you come in! Please help fund "In Her Image" by logging in and giving 5 stars on the "rate/share" tab!

Thanks so much for taking a second to vote by August 31st. There’s also a “share” feature — if you want to help spread the word about voting that would be amazing too. I'd also love if you want to stick this post on your blog, Facebook profile, dorm-room bathroom wall, wherever you think will help get the word out!

New Narrative Medicine degree at Columbia

Just spreading the word about the new Masters of Science in Narrative Medicine that's starting this coming fall at Columbia University - sounds like a wonderful place to explore women and health issues, among others.

Here's the official blurb:

"Narrative medicine is an emerging clinical discipline that fortifies the practice of doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, and other caregivers with the knowledge of how to interpret and respond to their patients' stories. The program of study in this pioneering masters program is profoundly interdisciplinary, incorporating the humanities and social sciences into a seminar-based learning experience that includes supervised practice in clinical settings. More information can be found at www.ce.columbia.edu/narrativemedicine."

You can contact Marsha Hurst, Ph.D. at 917-834-0427 for more information.

Scholarship opportunity for girls

A lovely intern at the Emma Willard School sought me out to ask me if I would spread the word about their Davis Scholarship. Here's her quick blurb - please help spread the word about this opportunity for girls!

"The Davis Scholarship really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, providing full tuition, room & board, and even travel expense coverage for girls (10th grade and up) to attend Emma Willard, the oldest (and, in my admittedly biased opinion, best) girls' school in the country. As if this weren't enough, the Davis scholarship program even provides its recipients with a certain amount of money towards college tuition (amazing!). Although the Davis United World College Scholar Program (the parent of our program) was started with the purpose of giving talented international students the chance to study in the U.S., the Davis program at Emma provides the same opportunities for domestic students, drawing a broad spectrum of applicants. It's also the first time that Emma Willard has been able to offer international girls financial aid of any kind. Needless to say, we're all really excited about this and we hope that by reaching out to women like yourself, women with active interests in the needs and well-being of girls today, we can get the word out to even more amazing girls."

Guest Post Invite

I've been doing this blogging thing for a bit and I have to say it feels strange. I'm just sort of talking into outer space as if I'm important, and it's been feeling fake and lonely.

So I have this idea of doing something I've really enjoyed on other blogs: featuring guest writers.

If you've got blog posts already written up you'd like me to feature, if you want to do a Q&A, if you want to write something especially for In Her Image readers, if [insert your brilliant idea here] - please let me know!

Feel free to comment on this post or email me at inherimage@juliabarry.com.

I can't wait for your company and insightful writing to brighten up this solo shop. :)

Happy Turn Beauty Inside Out Day!

Today is Turn Beauty Inside Out Day and we should all celebrate! TBIO is meant to spark awareness and action about the images of girls and women in the media, and what we can do to expand definitions of beauty. (Every day is TBIO day for feminists, media activists, and the lot, but you know, we all need a reason to party and get our social change stuff organized.)

You can participate by requesting your free Turn Beauty Inside Out Action Kit and asking friends and parents to donate to the Turn Beauty Inside Out Campaign. Also, encourage tweens and teens you know to submit to the Turn Beauty Inside Out essay contest!

Here's the essay question:"There have been arguments that the media has portrayed/covered the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign differently because she is a woman. Do you agree with that statement? Why or Why not?"

Essays must be 500 words or less and received by June 30, 2008 via email to tbio@mindonthemedia.org.

1st Prize - $200 2nd Prize - $100 3rd Prize - $50

The winning essay will be distributed nationally during the Turn Beauty Inside Out campaign. Good luck!