female empowerment

In this article, a feminist reading of Chinese mythology and culture, a fat, red, moustachio'd dragon with yellow wings sits in front of a pale yellow background with clouds. It opens and closes its eye whilst waving at the audience and breathing fire.

Women of the Red Dragon: Chinese Mythology as a Catalyst for Feminism

The possibilities of using Chinese mythology to reclaim feminine power in a world of “submissive” Chinese women.…

February 9, 2024

‘You Don’t Own Me’: The Advertisement Taking TikTok By Storm

The newfound fame of an iconic song through advertising sparks conversation around sexuality. Objectification in media.…

February 8, 2024

Scene Queen sitting at a table lighting candles in her video for Pink Rover

Scene Queen Puts a New Spin on Metal and Alternative

Rebecca Trevathan, University of Texas at Austin

This musician offers an empowering take on tough topics like harassment and misogyny.…

May 11, 2022

Illustration of a woman with plastic surgery markings on her chest and face and an angel and devil floating on each of her shoulders.

Society’s Plastic Surgery Fixation: Toxic Femininity or Self-Empowerment?

Daniela Saffran, Rollins College

The trend has been around for decades, but society has polarizing opinions concerning the effects that its promotion has on adolescent girls.…

October 11, 2021

Ouran High School Host Club, a reverse harem anime.

Is the Reverse Harem Trope a Hopelessly Outdated Thing of the Past?

Karen Lu, Yale University

Can the genre function as a way to empower female readers and viewers, or is it doomed to merely satisfy a power fantasy?…

July 31, 2021

In an article about the Brown Skin Girl music video, a picture of Beyoncé

The ‘Brown Skin Girl’ Music Video Is an Iconic Celebration of Blackness

Juliana Fujii, Biola University

Beyoncé's latest release is a celebration of Black beauty to empower Black women. The project unites African music and cultures in a visual masterpiece.…

September 10, 2020

Illustration by Ash Ramirez of a person in an empowerment self-defense class

Empowerment Self-Defense: Defending Ourselves From Our Own Fear

Alicia Furlan, University of Pittsburgh

New feminist safety classes not only teach women how to defend themselves in real-life scenarios, but also interrogate society's response to violence.…

August 30, 2020

Illustration of musical duo Chloe x Halle by Daisy Daniel's

Chloe x Halle Have Cemented Their Place in Music History With ‘Ungodly Hour’

Renee Cantor, University of Pittsburgh

Sibling acts like the Jackson 5, the Jonas Brothers, HAIM and the Bee Gees need to make room because there's a new and ferocious sister duo that's here to stay.…

August 26, 2020

Dancers on Dance Moms wait for instruction during rehearsal

Is ‘Dance Moms’ a Feminist Show?

Emma Smith, Wesleyan University

The reality TV sensation features fierce rivalry, but it also offers a lens into female empowerment and dynamic female representation.…

July 11, 2020

‘Valentine’ Portrays the Horrors of a Male-Dominated Small Town

S. T. Perez, Texas A&M University, San Antonio

Against the backdrop of a small Texas town, Elizabeth Wetmore's novel is a gritty depiction of a violent, patriarchal society.…

May 21, 2020

‘Charlie’s Angels’ Is a Feminist Action Film, But That’s Not Why It Flopped

Caroline Forrey, Miami University, Ohio

Elizabeth Banks' spy flick is the latest female-fronted film to crash at the box office.…

December 4, 2019

Why Are VSCO Girls the Target of so Many Jokes?

Meredith Day, Davidson College

The popular TikTok meme stands for teen girl empowerment and camaraderie, not for continued shaming of teen girl interests.…

November 30, 2019

The Highwomen Are Breaking Barriers for Country Music

Cameron Rapata, Columbia College Chicago

The supergroup gives traditional outlaw country a powerful, all-female twist.…

October 27, 2019

Introducing Ms. Monopoly: What You Need to Know About the Game

Bryan Lance, Liberty University

This female-focused board game has been the center of some serious controversy.…

October 3, 2019

Elman and Blacker Bring Plus-Sized Asian Women Into the Spotlight

Hannah Jumer, Converse College

Body positivity is becoming more mainstream and more and more women of different shapes, colors and sizes are being represented in the media — but there is still more work to be done.…

September 3, 2019