ProgressWomen

Just admit it, this is pretty cool.

Emily Nemen has depicted the gender imbalance of women serving in the U.S. Senate by paintings pictures of  women  Senators and how the Senate actually looks. Isn’t that a neat way to show the gender gap?

Courtesy to Jezebel

(I will admit, I follow Emily on Tumblr and completely started squealing when I saw all of these pictures. How awesome is she?)

Read more on Jezebel: http://jezebel.com/artist-emily-nemens-depiction-of-the-u-s-senates-gende-506675261

Follow Emily on Tumblr: http://womenofthe112th.tumblr.com/

Courtesy to Google Images

New favorite feminist documentary, anyone? This 3 minute excerpt from the documentary Tidal Wave Girls, that shows young women and men discussing the women who inspire them and the future of feminism, focusing on the new world we’re all creating for ourselves.

One clip has kids (and young teenagers) discuss the women they admire. The excerpt mainly has all the kids discussing their appreciation for their mothers and how their mothers balance work and home life.

Not only that, but the documentary asks a young woman, who looks to be remotely 14 or 15, what she wants to be when she’s older. What does she respond with? Science.

Yes, you read that right. SCIENCE.

Plus, the documentary hits the viewers with interesting statistics, such as women are scoring higher on IQ tests and 39 out of the 50 states, women in their 20′s are earning more than men their age.

How does it feel to be amazing, ladies?

Watch more here: http://jezebel.com/your-evening-inspiration-kids-talk-about-the-women-the-503896578

Courtesy to Google Images

 I remember staring at the television in my living room. My parents would turn on the news and I would be fascinated with the world. I would watch President George W. Bush address the country and answer questions from the press. I would be impressed at how much work people who lead the country did and how they did it. After seeing how much one could change the world, I was determined to make a difference in this country and run for President someday. I was 4 years old.

Today, I’m 15 and a freshman in high school. I earn good grades and I’m diligent about my work. I’m in band and I play the French Horn. I participate in my school’s speech team and I do extemporaneous speaking. I’m President of my school’s GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance). I run a website with my lovely co-director, State Rep. Stacey Newman and write about progressive values, ideals and feminism. And today, I’m an aspiring Congresswoman.

I have made it so far from that tiny 4 year old with big dreams to become President someday. From memorizing all of the United States Presidents (in order, may I add) and being a history buff, from figuring out which political party I am and changing my stances on many different issues and to learning how politics truly works, I’ve learned many valuable lessons along this 11 year journey. I still have so much more to learn. The great thing about it is that I already have a head start.

There are a variety of different organizations across the country trying to reach out to women, especially young women, encouraging us to run for office. From national organizations like EMILY’s List and Emerge America and to organizations that are formed state-by-state, like Annie’s List, Sally’s List, Ignite CA and the newly formed Close the Gap CA, these organizations push women who are willing to run for office to get out there and embrace their true talent.

All of these organizations do fabulous work for women, but, let’s put the spotlight on EMILY’s List for a moment. The highly successful women’s organization that was formed in 1986 that endorses pro-choice women for office has just launched a campaign called “Madam President”, which is aimed at getting a woman in the White House. Do you need me to be more specific? A Democratic, pro-choice woman.

Yesssssss.

Along with the launch, EMILY’s List has released a video to promote the national campaign. The video (below) features young girls sharing why they want a woman President and the benefits of having a woman in the White House.

Click to watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Y2-zpi-RWhQ

May we just take a moment to thank EMILY’s List and appreciate what they are doing? No, not just trying to get a woman in the White House, but featuring a few young girls talking about wanting to be President and what it would mean to them to have a woman be President in their life time. Young girls like the ones in the video are the future and already have a head start in political knowledge.

Instead of making fun of young girls who want a woman to represent the country and telling them that their dream is unrealistic, like I have been told over the years, EMILY’s List encourages young girls to reach for their dreams and make them possible. Finally, it looks as if there is hope for young girls to be interested in history when they are little, want to be in Congress when they’re a teenager or for Hillary Clinton to be their role model without being looked at funny or judged.

So, thanks EMILY’s List. You rock.

Gillibrand is just on a roll this week!

Courtesy to Google Images

In an essay for PolicyMic about ending sexual assault in the military, Gillibrand wrote:

“When women are at the table, a broader agenda is discussed, an agenda that looks out for all Americans, particularly those who are voiceless. Women’s voices are not better than men’s, they’re different and the broader perspective that we bring often leads to better results. That’s why I’ve been such an advocate for more women to run for office and make their voices heard.”

And this is why ProgressWomen loves Gillibrand.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/30/kirsten-gillibrand-quotes-women-need-to-run-for-office_n_3188445.html?utm_hp_ref=women&ir=Women

What is a leader?

Courtesy to Google Images

The word “leadership” has a vast and diverse definition to many Americans. Some people view a leader as being a politician, others view it as being head of a business, like a CEO or COO. Others may see a leader as some who is a role model in their local community, or even a teacher. To each person, leadership may mean something different and hold unique traits. But, I want to write about what I personally, already at fifteen, have learned what a leader is.

Although I am only fifteen, I have had many life experiences for me to already determine what a leader is. For example, I’m my school’s GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) President, so I learn every day by what my club can do to reach out to allies and members of the LGBTQ community. I also aspire to be a leader in the United States someday by being a Congresswoman. I enjoy helping others and changing the world around us.

In seventh grade, I participated in a program held in the nation’s capital that was called Jr. NYLC. The program is aimed at young people who show certain leaderships traits and to help them strengthen their traits to make them the next leaders in the world. The following traits are what I have learned from the program and how one can be a leader.

Goal Setting

Setting goals for one’s future is vital in being a leader. When one outlines their steps to achieve goals they want to achieve, they can reach desired results. If one prepares their plans, they can guide their efforts more easily and effectively. If one does not have goals, their life plans are scattered and lost along the way. It is also easier to keep track of what works and what does not when one make goals.

Benefits of goal setting: Learning from successes and failures.

Communication

Exchanging ideas, information and opinions is important when one is a leader. Plans are also put into action by communication. From organizing, presenting and listening, different parts of communication all tie into together. A leader should be able to communicate to those who look up to them and those are inspired by them.

Benefits of communication: Developing successful plans and plans that are clearer and easier to understand.

Teamwork

Working with others is how leaders can thrive. When strength is given to each member in a team, everyone feels like they belong and have a purpose. Every person adds a unique perspective and voice to the team, which if done correctly, can make a successful team.

Benefits of teamwork: Developing common visions and goals in a team.

Respect

Not everyone is going to agree on everything and a leader notices that. Being considerate of others and being free of any prejudices is how things get done. Treating others how one wants to be treated needs to be remembered by the leader. Everyone can be effective if diversity is embraced.

Benefits of repsect: Understanding others makes a leader well-rounded.

Problem Solving

Leaders are aware that making decision is a main part of being a leader. By reflecting on the problems, how to solve the problems and how to prevent the problems from occurring again, progress is made.

Benefits of problem solving: Gaining trust from others and solving the problematic situations.

Character

Being an individual and embracing who one is how leaders are remembered. The words one uses, the actions one expresses and the thoughts one thinks determine one’s character. A leader also lives by what is right, not what is easy. One’s character impacts themselves and the world around them.

Benefit of character: Having a distinguishable character makes one be remembered trustworthy and respectable.

All of the traits above were the six I was taught at the Jr. NYLC program and that I still use today. As a young person, I know that by these traits I am able to do what I want to do in life more effectively and easily.

(Credits to Jr. NYLC and their program by teaching young people how to lead others and the world around them.)

Wendy Widom was in Chicago presenting the wonderful documentary Miss Representation, a documentary that points out the

Courtesy to Google Images

 under-representation and misrepresentation of women in society, media, government, entertainment business, etc. One thing that was bothering Wendy was her figure when she went to the screening. After the screening, Wendy’s whole idea of a “perfect” body diminished and became proud of her appearance. She was no longer ashamed of herself, but rather embraces who she is!

To read more about Wendy Widom’s story, click here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wendy-widom/muffin-tops-and-a-movie-s_b_3094266.html?utm_hp_ref=women&ir=Women