Wednesday, 3/10/2010
The theme of this year’s National Women’s History Month is “Writing Women Back into History.” We at Walden are excited about this ambitious new effort to educate girls about prominent female leaders.
But with all due respect to the past and its amazing women, this year we’d like to focus our celebration on the next generation of confident, intelligent women who will change the world.
What makes an amazing girl of the twenty-first century?
Perhaps Michelle Obama puts it best when she says: “One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don’t invest any energy in them, because I know who I am.” {via Marie Claire}
Her self-confidence, ambition and commitment to her goals are definitely important girl power messages for a new generation. With the proliferation of technology and cyber bullying, the modern girl needs to be confident, imaginative and driven so that when life’s many obstacles step in her path, she’ll have the courage to leap right over them.
Who is a twenty-first century role model?
While a girl can find inspiration at home, in politics like Michelle Obama, or in the media, we’d like to introduce you to some of our favorite girl role models – taken right from our movies!
Whether you identify with Nim and her spirit of adventure, or Fern and her impassioned commitment to protect life, Walden films have some amazingly inspirational characters. Read about these fantastic characters below, and share them with your daughter or students. We encourage girls to think about how they can be more adventurous, courageous, imaginative and self-confident, and ask them to set goals for the next year to achieve that.
Our Favorite Role Models
Adventure
Nim, Nim’s Island: Nim lives on a secret island with her dad. Her spirit of adventure and conservationist values make her the ultimate green girl. She explores her island home everyday working to protect all the life on it, and ultimately the life of her father.
What can you do to be green in your daily life? Visit stopglobalwarming.org for some ideas.
How can you be hero of your own life story like Nim?
Imagination
Leslie Burke, Bridge to Terabithia: In Bridge to Terabithia, Leslie creates the world Terabithia in her own imagination. Her secret land helps give her the confidence to excel at school, make friends, avoid bullies, and be an independent girl.
Where can your imagination take you?
How can you use your imagination in creative writing, art, video production, etc to help you excel in school and achieve your goals?
Self-Confidence
Charlotte Banks, Bandslam: Charlotte’s deep love of her family inspires her to follow the beat of a different drummer. She uses her quirky-cool sensibilities to help form the most unique, inspiring band in Bandslam history, and touch the lives of all those around her.
How can you share your special talents with others (the way Charlotte shares her singing and songwriting with the band)?
Love
Fern, Charlotte’s Web: In Charlotte’s Web, Fern will not let her father kill Wilber, the small runt of the pig litter. Her kindness and love have a profound affect on Wilber and the friends he makes in the barn. Their compassion and love change the lives of all who live on Zuckerman’s Farm.
How can you show compassion and love to others around you?
Think of one way that you can spread love every day. (example: say ‘have a good day’ to everyone you meet.)
Courage
Hannah, Journey to the Center of the Earth: In Journey to the Center of the Earth, Hannah has the courage to guide Trevor and Sean through the Center of the Earth even when it becomes scary and dangerous. Her in-depth knowledge of the world around her and her confidence help the keep the three explorers safe as they uncover a vast new world.
How will you have the courage to make tough decisions in face of adversity?
How can you apply what you are learning in school and in the world around you to help others?
More Great Girl Resources for Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month Official Site
Film Images Nim’s Island © Walden Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Bridge to Terabithia © Buena Vista Pictures Marketing and Walden Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Bandslam © Summit Entertainment, LLC and Walden Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Charlotte’s Web © Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved. Journey to the Center of the Earth © New Line Cinema and Walden Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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Walden Media specializes in entertainment for the whole family. Past award-winning films include: "The Chronicles of Narnia" series, "Journey to the Center of the Earth", "Nim’s Island," "Charlotte’s Web" and the Sundance Audience Prize Winning documentary "Waiting for ‘Superman’"
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