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Rebel, rebel....

Looking for a sweet treat? You'll also find some funky, cool art at the same time in Norwalk....yes! Not the Upper East Side or Boho. We found the yummiest chocolate chip cookie ever.....in Norwalk C.T. Let's go....

I'm always on the hunt to satisfy my sweet tooth in a healthy way and not only did I find probably one of if not the best darn cookies ever, my son and I also stumbled on really cool artwork by local artists.

Anne Grossman who is the founder and owner of Rebel, decided to make her own yummy cookies when she couldn't find ones that lived up to yummy goodness. The mom of two and resident of nearby Wilton gets our, She did That! Innovator award for creation. She fulfilled a need and got the job done instead of waiting for it to be fulfilled. My son and I had fun taking pics in front of the murals and I found a fun assortment of cookies for his birthday party grab bags.

We ordered the Churro, Smore Please, and the Original Chocolate Chip cookie. Get ready to use lots of napkins when you try these to die for treats because they are messy and :ginormous" (large!)

Very much worth the $6.00 charge. Given that this is a female owned and run small business, you'll be supporting a burgeoning neighborhood in need of food businesses like this.

Now the good part-the COOKIE-

"Please sir may I have some S'more!.....I'm sure Oliver Twist would have approved of the fantasy-filled treat upon entering this store. You can smell the sugar, confection, and treats from the minute you park your car outside. It is heavenly in this little neighborhood and fills the air of the entire Art Park. The Smore.....Somehow the gooey center stays intact cozied inside the crispy outer rim of not too sweet cookie. I saved the marshmallow for last...well, just because. It's just so fun to eat till the last bite.

PROS: I made gift bags of the assortment we chose and the kids loved them! I think yummy, fun food is now the new go-to instead of plastic throwaway toys that only add to our already polluted systems.

CONS: It's hard to decide which one cookie to take home, so you may have to just indulge and try them all! You can always burn the calories with a nice walk around the artist's venue just outside!

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Not you too Disney!

I remember my first Disney movie, it was Cinderella. My best friend who lived next door often played with Barbie's on my porch and I remember one day taking a towel on my head and wrapping it around, so the rest of the material hung on my back. I flipped and moved my "hair" in the way I saw Cinderella do and all the other white girls and women on television. I recall this laughing to myself because my best friend even at her young age of about 6 or 7 was militant. She ripped that towel off my head and said to me "What are you doing?!!" She had quickly broken me out of my spell...my Disney spell. Not only was I not going to have curly blonde ringlets, but I also wasn't Cinderella. This realization into the lack of little girls that looked like me was my first lesson in representation and self-love. As artists our greatest inspiration sometimes come from loss, shame, or beauty and my share to other little girls who didn't see themselves mirrored back at them it to create a girl from true stories with real problems and real, beautiful hair, not blonde ringlets, like me.

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What Makes an Iconic Warrior?

If someone calls you ballsy, know it all, defiant, then you're in good company.... Joan of Arc was all of that and more, so take that as a compliment. Men should take a page out of her book and learn how to be a real leader, because this girl, literally--she was a teenager when she became a military leader. Most girls at her age were on their road to being betrothed or living a submissive life with no future prospects of her era. A young woman to DISCOVER She referred to herself as Jehanne la Pucelle or Joan the Maid. In researching this era this signified that she not only of a lower stature of means but she was also a virgin. This distinction was held in high regard in society as this was the expectation before marriage for all young girls and that was it.

Born in 1412, here fate at 17 was to not just marry the guy next door, but to lead her nation's army into battle. Wait, what?!!! At 17, I was in high school and consumed with worry about acne!

Her fate was destined to aid in the revolution of a nation defending its territory. With absolutely no military training, she was convinced that she, acting under the guidance of the divine was destined to take charge of the French army and defend her nation--the besieged city of Orle'ans, where she did achieve a victory and ultimately in the goal to crown Charles VII. Eventually, she was captured by troops loyal to John of Luxembourg and handed over to forces loyal to English King Henry VI. Tried and condemned to be burned at the stake in May of 1431 at the age of 19, she was considered a witch but considered one of history's greatest martyrs and became the patron saint of France. It was because of her mental and physical courage with her claim to have direct communication with the divine, that made her exceptional. Her character and her connection to God, was beyond the typical ministrations of priesthoods and apart from the constraints of typical church institutions. It was heresy to speak of having direct contact with God (the divine) Only Men were known to be given this direct access to God and only those considered high in the order of the priesthood could claim that right. Here was this young woman who gave an example of what we know today as awareness, consciousness, spiritual connectedness and in the end, she awakened the spirit of the French and created a revolution.

Another woman to READ is Priya's Shakhti. I have never heard of this graphic novel before but scrolling through one of my favorite actresses, Mindy Kalin's Instagram, who is an advocate and producer for women empowerment supports this series and advocacy work immensely.

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A post shared by Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling)

This graphic novel is a provocative visual and visceral answer to illuminate the brutal and often fatal cultural gender bias in New Dehli. Myths of a country and society can create such a stranglehold on progression that it becomes fact. When in reality the truth, what people fear, eventually a fatal cancer has no choice but to become uncovered. Such is the case in New Dehli and the attitudes toward women. "The problem of gender violence is not a legal problem, but a cultural problem."

The answer in many parts of these regions is to blame the victim. Impose restrictions and force such suppression that the inclination is not to protect the female population but to fault, shame and enact violence against them. In some cultures, and societies, the woman is revered, protected. The irony in this instance is that deities representing women have more power and reverence than the actual living breathing real women. According to the statistics of the WHO regarding gender-based violence in New Delhi the findings are atrocious.

A highly publicized gang rape on a bus in December 2012 outraged India and the world. Out of it, a movement to highlight the dangerous gender-based bias towards women arose through an innovative social multimedia project. Ram Devineni who is an Indian American film maker was inspired to create Priya Shakti in response to this attack. Consulting with several philosophers, activists, and poets, he ultimately collaborated with an American designer whose focus is on the comic book genre to create this powerful graphic novel. What is innovative about the project is that it is also available for free download targeted towards the younger generation in an attempt to open the conversation of sex, boundaries, respect and a woman's autonomy. The storyline focusing on Priya who is a human woman and a devotee of the Goddess Parvati, who has herself experienced a brutal rape and the social isolation that often stems from such a heinous act. It takes the brutal reality and flips it on its head in the form of comic book reality that is universal to understand and connect to. It is with this hope that progress can be made culturally through various media channels and reach younger generations to educate them out of the antiquated ideas towards women: culture changes faster than genes"

"Speak without shame and stand with me and bring about the change you want to see."

In the aftermath of March for our lives in 2018 these speeches by young activists Emma Gonzales and Naomi Wadler have opened the gates for young women to speak up against violence in all forms. Their message was powerful then and still resonates just a few years later unfortunately today as the violence in America has increased exponentially. Their experiences and speeches have inspired young women to create movements through art, multimedia and music in order to keep the important message of unity in numbers and allowing your voice to be heard as a young woman. Above is a beautiful [painting inspired by artist Corina Karstenberg of Naomi as a form of giving space to representation. It is quite stunning. There is even now a new exhibit titled "Girlhood" at the Smithsonian commemorating women suffrage. Proof that one voice can start a revolution, but many voices can help to win the battle.

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Supernatural Girls

 What are your thoughts on the evolution of depictions of Supernatural Powers in young women? 

My earliest influence watching women with supernatural powers was Wonder Woman. Linda Carter was the epitome for me of beauty and an antithesis of the typical blonde haired blue eyes women which were prevalent on the small screen. Now with movies like X-Men we have women like Storm, Mistique who offer a new champion in the power of young women with contemporary themes that are relatable to their experiences: finding their voice, standing up for the weak, defending justice are just a few of the themes in the Marvel and DC franchise films.

2. How is magical power related to adolescence? Adolescence is a heightened time where young women in particular are feeling the conflicts of living by rules set by their parents, the world, school and wanting to break free from the restraints of boundaries. Magical power goes against all laws of boundary and reason.

There is no reason, or rationale as to why magic works, but it is the epitome of "feeling yourself" knowing your power, owning your strengths and showing it to the world. This is the messaging in all the examples of young female powers.

3. What impact does the depiction of magic and the sense of agency it represents have on real girls and young women in this era of emerging teenage girl leadership? Magic and its depiction can be extremes from dark to light. Many religions go against the dabble in what is known as the black arts, or calling oneself a witch or white witch, voodoo and spells; these all have connotations that are attributed to black magic or the dark arts. Many of it has been depicted as unnatural and synonymous with cultures originating from the south of the United States or Haiti, Jamaican, African. What we see on American television can be said as a watered down "white" representation of black magic for the consumption of mass media. Many young girls I remember in high school who were considered "goth" who wore black, dark hair, spiked clothing was considered witches and the freaks and geeks of the school.

The sense of agency the dark arts offers is a place of belonging and often times in unfortunate circumstances, young women who find themselves seeking identity in this type of culture can lose themselves if not careful or knowledgeable as to exactly what the practice is, the young men they align themselves with like Marilyn Manson and the consequences.

The evolution as performer to feminist is a roadmap, I believe to young girls finding their "magic" power. It is a space of play into what an idea can be. Performing is an artistic form of expression and activism is the space of taking that idea and making that power work in reality.

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Girl Boss Directors

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood

Writer: Gina Prince-Bythewood

Stars: Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps, Glenndon Chatman

Genre: Drama, Romance, Sport

Monica and Quincy love and play basketball together through many life challenges from childhood to adulthood.

Who is the director? Gina Prince-Bythewood led the decade of 2000 with one of my favorite romantic stories, Love & Basketball. Also, to her credit such shows as A Different World (1994) and Felicity (1998) This was an era that ushered in the female lead driving stories of varied interests and substance. She wrote and directed this film, that was received extremely well, especially in the black community. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earning Gina the coveted Independent Spirit Award. This helped her gain notoriety as a director, but she still faced challenges as a woman of color in the Hollywood film industry.

What do you identify as unique to the female perspective and the 'female gaze' in the film? The Secret Life of Bees (200 8) The Old Guard (2020) Gina has racked up an impressive resume as a Director and Producer, having worked on television shows such as the comedy, The Bernie Mac Show and Girlfriends (2000) Her perspective as a woman and culturally as a Black woman, she offers an authentic, unique gaze to the experiences, loves, loss and struggles of the young black woman's experience in America.

What rite of passage in the protagonist(s) life/lives does this story explore? What fresh perspective, if any, does the director bring to this story? Are sexual or gender taboos traversed in the process?

This film stars at the time an up-and-coming Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan, who portray the characters Monica and Quincy who both share a reverence for and love of "the game". What is heartwarming is to watch the rites of passage they both experienced as children to adults; and exploring the love they have always had for one another. What is unique to this story that Monica is not shown as a weak, typical young woman looking for a man to rescue her. She is neither portrayed a young black woman suffering from an addiction or single mom. She has interests, is a tomboy and is a full developed character that women can relate to and is universal. This was before the popularity of women in sports but more importantly it showed young women that they can have interests other than "a man".

Does this film shed new light on the mother/daughter and family relationships? How? Monica wanted to play for the Los Angeles Lakers and wear the number of NBA player, Magic Johnson-number: 32 & Quincy wanted to be like his father and play for the Clippers. They both have the same dream and must deal with their own personal struggles in life and each other to achieve it.

Monica has a complicated relationship with her Camille who was a stay-at-home mother and wife. Monica's expectations of Camille were to be a good wife and mother and to "act like a lady". She expected Monica to be the typical American housewife void of personal dreams and fixated solely on family. She wanted Monica to give up basketball which Monica refused to, and this would be the struggle of wills between the two women. As a young girl Camille forced her to wear dresses and this set the stage for part of the struggles between both of their aspirations for one another.

This struggle follows both mother and daughter through Monica's education in high school, where her mother insists on her becoming more like a "girl". She wants her to embrace a life she chose for herself and from my perspective this is what most mother's want for their daughters. It seems to be an unhealthy way to protect them from a world they have no control over. Monica has issues with controlling her emotions which stems from her relationship with her mother, but she is able to channel this into her love of the game and helps lead her team to the state championship.

Describe the most startling/indelible/breakthrough scene of the film. I think most people would agree that the breakthrough scene is when they fall in love. Although Quincy (Omar Epps) checks her during a game and scars her face accidentally they share a first kiss. They have a complicated love/hate/competitive relationship that brings a new dynamic to their relationship. Most television shows and films at the time overlook the charm and universal theme of love in any culture. Predominantly it has been always through the gaze of white America like the television show The Wonder Years.

This showed an innocent moment that can and does happen in the black American experience. Childhood sweethearts has no boundary of culture, and this movie, Love & Basketball, shows that breakthrough.

Has the film received the recognition it deserved? Why or why not?I feel this movie did not become a block buster film to Hollywood standards, but in the black community this film is a classic in terms of romantic dramas with fully developed character's other than the typical gang related, high school dropout stereotypes that have been normally made in the 1990's to the early 2000's.

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Climate Solution-Makers & Eco-Warriors

Activism by definition is an act which can become a catalyst in an effort to create social or political change. If the debate whether these young who defaced Sunflowers with a can of tomato soup created change, some people may so no, because no actual laws were changed to curtail the high costs of living and fuel prices; but they created a conversation and shined a spotlight on the power of the younger generation having a voice and forcing society to look at the issues they are raising. We are now at a crossroads globally to rethink our relationship to oil and dependency upon it after we now have the awareness that companies like OPEC, dictators like Putin and actors within Saudi Arabia control this output. The intended impact started the conversation and created awareness and for that it has power.

Deb Haaland, First Native American Secretary of the Interior, 2021: Discuss the significance of this appointment? Why is it historic? Deb Haaland's cultural background is of the Native American descendants, she is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and a 35th generation New Mexican. Raised by both her parents to have an awareness around service to others, their country as well as to their community. In discovering her history, it is inspiring to see a young woman who not only attended the University of New Mexico earning a degree as a single parent, with very little income and subsidizing her income with the assistance of food stamps, but she also found a way to extend her education by attended law school earning her J.D.

Her work experience developed when she served as a tribal administrator at San Felipe Pueblo becoming the first female elected to the Laguna Development Corp Board of Directors. What made this appointment significant on her journey to her historic appointment is that she has the important role of overseeing the second largest tribal gaming enterprise in New Mexico. Her role included overseeing fair business practices, concerning the controversial link between gaming and Indian reservations. Supporters of casinos and gaming on Indian reservations believe the profits outweigh the negative Prescence, while some Native American Indians believe there are gains to be made through casino ownership. Some of these divisions arise within certain tribes and part of Haaland's work was to ensure fair business practices occurred.

Haaland ran for New Mexico's Lt. Governor's seat winning in 2014. This achievement earned her the role of being the first Native American woman to be elected to a state party and eventually the first to serve in Congress. Her purpose focused on the rights of individuals like justice for missing and indigenous women, and environmental justice. Her historic appointment to serve as the cabinet secretary was a win for her community and for women of all cultures but especially Native American women, who are often looked over in the consciousness of the fabric of the American society and erased, while deep in their efforts to retain their identity while living in the United States.

Despite the negative, perceptions and stereotypes of the Native American people created by political and social systems of white society, the Native American people, in particular its women are strong and proud of their heritage and continue to fight to dispel these dangerous myths. They continue like Haaland to rise up in the hopes of passing on the rich cultural legacy they own. They have fought assimilation for centuries in hope of protecting their sacred tribal lands. We forget that this rich sacred culture historically has been abused under the form of social control by the U.S. government. This appointment helps to shine a light on the forgotten women and culture that makes up this nation we call the UNITED States of America.

How Green is America?

I remember the moment watching AOC win her election, thinking "WOW". Where we once saw predominantly old, white men calling the shots, creating laws and bad behavior without accountability; we now have this young woman calling out antiquated societal laws, and misogynistic behavior from her colleagues without apology or fear. Her voice is strong and unwavering for demanding our global society to have an awareness about issues other than our own. To make changes in our laws to save our planet or we won't have the freedoms we love and enjoy so well right now. This shift in the political game that is ushering in young blood and The Green New Deal is a congressional resolution that lays out a grand plan for tackling climate change. This form of new political activism was introduced by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Senator Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, both Democrats, and both concerned for the future. The proposal calls on the federal government to assist the United States away from fossil fuels and curb planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions across the economy. It also aims to guarantee new high-paying jobs in clean energy industries. The resolution is nonbinding, so if Congress approves it, nothing in the proposal would become law. It also addresses racial injustice and inequity. This has been raised in the EU to foster investing into cleaner solutions away from coal, oil and gas.

A Bigger Picture by Vanessa Nakate and No One is Too Small to Make a Difference  by Greta Thunberg 

A Bigger Picture by Vanessa Nakate and No One is Too Small to Make a Difference  by Greta Thunberg 

Greta Thunberg-When Obama makes a glowing statement regarding your writing when you haven't reached the age of thirty, I think that helps a bit to catapult you into quick stardom:  "Greta Thunberg is already one of our planet's greatest advocates." —Barack Obama

With that recognition, Greta has used her platform to create awareness around this global crisis. Her passionate speeches voicing her concerns has made her not only one to watch for the future but has given a face to this crisis. In this culture of "branding, no P.R. person could have created a better role model for climate crisis than Greta, in my opinion.

Vanessa Nakate born in 1995 is part of a new generation of climate activists fighting to save our planet from extinction. Born in Uganda Vanessa has made this issue her passion and platform for her generation. Her book A Bigger Picture speaks to the disproportionate way climate change is covered in the media and the relationship to racial bias in countries the suffer the most in regard to these catastrophic global changes. Her voice is just as important as her counterparts and this point has been painfully made aware when her picture was cut out of a group photo of activists after a gathering on climate crisis issues.

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YOUNG WOMEN WARRIORS

TIANA DAY DARNELLA FRAZIER AMY SHERALD are modern day young warriors changing the landscape in how we see advocacy, art and accountability in the justice system of the United States of America.

What are your thoughts about Darnella Frazier's role as a bystander who chose to document a crime and became a brave citizen journalist in the process? What would you do in a similar situation?

There is a societal debate on whether too much access to technology has us completely disconnected from one another or has it connected us? This era of technology that we're living in especially during the pandemic has been in a myriad of ways a detriment to many young people who have felt disconnected from the world even to the point of distressing mental illness and suicide and through the juxtaposition we have seen young people use technology in order to document their stories and the stories, especially several infamous ones that have come to the forefront of international attention and created a new revolution of an awakening to themes, ideas, and ideologies that have been hidden, long forgotten since the inception of the United States. Were it not for the cellphone video footage of the arrest and brutal murder of George Floyd by the now 18 year old Darnella Frazier, of the senior officer Derek Chauvin, he may not have been tried and convicted of 2nd and 3rd degree murder as well as 2nd degree manslaughter. Chauvin was sentenced to an unprecedented 22.5 years in prison.

This is unheard of for a american police officer with the protection of the infamous "blue wall". Her video as a bystander change the way we see crime, convictions, accountability and the role of the American police.

Chauvin made a choice as did Frazier and this brutal event opened our eyes to the inhumane treatment that millions of Black men have been speaking of for centuries at the hands of their perpetrators.

On the anniversary of his death, Frazier finally spoke out publicly: “Behind this smile, behind these awards, behind the publicity, I’m a girl trying to heal from something I am reminded of every day,” the now 18-year-old wrote in a Facebook post. If faced in a similar situation, knowing me, I know I would've risked my life trying to remove Chauvin from George. This is a difficult situation to imagine What would you do? I do know that Frazier had within her the where with all to know that, this particular moment needed to be captured, technology had to be used to document it and it is with us forever.

Tiana Day is another inspiring young woman who has found her mission in the advocacy of youth just like her. In recognizing that young people have a power and strength and outlook on life can be a power unmatched, she has tapped into that by offering a space for youth to discover their talents, their voice and their own mission. In researching her background and watching her work, you can see that she has a genuine interest in elevating the role of her generation. It is so inspiring to see young women like this use their power to uplift others.

Another trailblazer in this realm of advocacy is artist Amy Sherald who also created the portrait of the former First Lady Michelle Obama. Her work in my opinion is distinctive and synonymous to her gaze on the black woman. She emphasizes the subjects, beauty with simplicity in her portrait. I think she created an image of Breonna that is simply beautiful. A portrait to remind us that what was taken from this earth was not just a name but a complete and full individual whose right was to live and in her portrait she will live on.

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SAY HER NAME....I am MAlala

He believed that lack of education was the root of all Pakistan’s problems. Chapter 3

 If you could describe this book in one word what would that be?

If I could describe this one word it would be FACT. In a world where we question the existence of global warming, this is a story that everyone should read, listen to and use as a marker for how do we want our world to be shaped for future generations-especially for our young women?

This book reveals the beauty and the horror of the Islamic culture. Often we use our present culture to define what are acceptable norms given our connection to technology, education and advancement. As a whole, we lean toward the freedoms for all people-that this ideal is or should be a divine right? Yes, and there was a period when kings decided their divine rights were to slaughter entire regions, families and commit adultery all in the name of the divinity of kings. We consider ourselves a cultured society, but based upon what? Education. This is the benchmark of a civilized society; but yet we are witness to the atrocities that are happening in our world and in cases such as Malala Yousafzai, who has used the power of words, education, to go up against thousands of years of the ingrained ideology that women are the weaker sex-women are subhuman and in such an idea have no voice. Here, this young woman who was the youngest ever Nobel Prize laureate, since a young age realized her purpose. She has been writing about and advocating for the right for girls to be educated. I cannot fathom as an American citizen the right to wake up, get dressed and go to a building in order to better my mind, to be stripped away from me by my own government or the men that share the country I live in. No one can ever imagine the pain, humiliation and desperation that these young girls are feeling to have this divine right stripped from them. It speaks to the importance of education and how we must as an entire global society, rally behind this effort to support Malala's movement.

A crucial element to her story is the irony of how the foundation of her footsteps were made through her own father. Although her mother was uneducated her father was able to attend a college through his own wife's family generosity, which led the way for him to become involved in politics and eventually attempting to launch the Khushai school.

Over 160 million girls worldwide are not educated due to refugee status, war relocation, poverty and gender preference.  What would the world look like if all girls were educated? What do you think would change? When girls, young women, women are educated, they can become anything powerful they choose to be....even this...

You would have women saying this literally and figuratively...

Period. End of Sentence...after they spoke. This is the fear of men who don't want women to have power.

The topic of menstruating is taboo in many cultures, especially in many regions of Africa-Ghana’s Upper Manya Krobo district, young girls are raised with these traditions that do a great disservice to their knowledge of the human body and leave them vulnerable to rape, incest and murder. Discussions are considered taboo and when they do experience their biological cycle are shamed, even told they cannot be/enter into their own home. The phrase "Wese yami" means going behind the house...figuratively out of sight, that they bring shame and are dirty, filthy, even are not allowed to touch objects that are considered sacred during their cycle. This antiquated idea of impurity, sin and shame is thousands of years old and still resonated in many cultures.

https://www.posibl.com/en/news/society/this-film-breaking-period-taboos-in-india-just-won-an-oscar-68ec231

Imaging the power of thought and of young women, older women making an impact on a society-this would be the most significant change for a society. A society with compassion, leadership and progress is the possibility. It is fear of progress, fear of change, fear to give up power are what the current status of countries that seek to keep women in chains want to keep embedded in their society.

My favorite quote from I am Malala speaks to the theme of extreme overzealousness in religion. Zealots. The hard right stance that many outspoken individuals use regarding religion. It is with this stance they weaponize religion to justify atrocities and create inhumane laws. They have taken religion under the guise of spreading the "word" and use it to become fact. When you have a society of uneducated people of course they must believe what you espouse? This was done during slavery. Keep an entire segment of a population uneducated, fearful and in chains under the guise of it being "God's will". It is a justification for suppression, divisiveness, gender bias and murder: 'They are abusing our religion,' I said in interviews. 'How will you accept Islam if I put a gun to your head and say Islam is the true religion?

What positive global messages does this book provide, and why does it continue to be relevant? This powerful story, gives hope through Malala's words and I feel is so important now for us to read and share with others. She is sounding the alarm on what we must do now to fix this world we inhabit by standing up against governements and those in power who seek to silence the voices of its citizens-especially its female society. The irony is that this young who had survived an assassination attempt and her face was severely damaged, "lost her smile" as her father observed, but she had to endure an operation to repair the damaged nerves and tell her story. She wasn't silenced. Those men are afraid of the power of women and this one in particular...and rightly so. She was able to tell her story and the story of others.

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Monumental Women in Art History

The placement of this monument is located in Bushnell Park, of Hartford Connecticut. This bronzed sculpture is the work of a sculptor named Evelyn Beatrice Longman who lived through era's with significant historical moments we can only imagine to have the experience of living through and feeling the depth of.  

This sculpture was created dramatically by Evelyn in 1926 with surrounding relief sculptures of a lone infantryman and a sailor to honor the men that served in the Spanish American War. Her symbolism is as a beacon, a spirit of victory and as a guide. There is also a replica of a medal on the front of the sculpture which signifies the honor and service of those who served.

Evelyn is not an internationally known artist, but her placement in history is quite significant as a sculptor in the U.S. Her works are considered allegorical figure pieces and were commissioned as monuments and memorials, for several public buildings, also at at art expositions in the early 20th-century of the U.S.

In 1919, she became the first female sculptor to be a full member of the National Academy of Design and in 1920 was made a full member of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Arts. In 1918.

She was not born to a wealthy family, but to a farming family in rural Winchester, Ohio in 1874. She earned a living and relocated to Chicago where at only the age of 19 she decided to study sculpture at the World’s Columbia Exposition. In 1898 she studied sculpture in the neoclassical tradition at the Art Institute of Chicago, training with Loredo Taft. Taft was a known sculptor in Chicago who created works like Beaux–Arts monuments, including Fountain of Time near the University of Chicago campus. 

Monuments matter because they offer a visual representation of a moment, experience, history and inform us of events, people and places that contribute to our evolving societies. The art itself of sculpting is something that I feel is underrepresented and underexposed to this generation. Hopefully with this age of technology we live in we can create more avenues and sites online, apps, etc. that showcase these amazing artists and their works.

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The William's Effect

I am conflicted with the title of the movie for a few points I considered.  I felt the obvious as most people may have when seeing the title of the film, that their father should receive recognition for the example and passionate work ethic he instilled in them as well as it gives a spotlight to the Black male who historically is overlooked as a positive participant or catalyst in the success of their children.       From my perspective as a lover of film and beginning my career in the field, I feel the film was more of a vehicle for Actor Will Smith who has been chasing an oscar for the last decade, and this is the role which would've brought him that success. I would've love to have seen the title be: The Williams Sisters of something to that affect.

2. I feel the movie gives a glimpse as to what they endured and experienced together as tow young black women growing up in one of if not the most dangerous cities in the United States, but I;m sure there are moments, we are not privy to which show the lines between their love for one another and the fierce competition that can occur between sisters-especially sisters in the public eye, in one of the toughest sports in history. Their dedication to the sport and the way they show up for one another by being present in competitions with their families, is an example for everyone to follow.

3. I was aware of the Williams sisters when I was in high school. I remember their beautiful beaded braids and thinking how amazing they will be as role models for girls of all races because the represented a strength and intelligence not just as young black girls but for young women. Serena has surpassed Tom Brady and is labeled THE G.O.A.T. because she is a woman that did...all...that on the court and at home and in business. 

4. Their disruption of tennis by challenging calls, using their voice by representing their faith, their persona for their culture and tastes in fashion and design changed the way people watched and enjoyed the game. Everyone has a favorite Serena outfit. Mine is the sparkly black ballerina tutu look she wore for the U.S. Open. She appeared on the court in a bejeweled cropped sports jacket, layered over her matching tennis dress with sheer sleeves and a detachable black-and-gold glittered train. She looked like a true queen.

She wore a headband designed by Nike—and black PE NikeCourt Flare 2 sneakers embellished with diamond-encrusted Swooshes, shoelaces, and diamond deubré shoelace tags from her own brand She didn't forget the bling either (solid gold, 400 2.0-carat diamonds, and black ceramic, and that spell out QUEEN and MAMA). 

5. The camaraderie within the family of the sisters and their family showed how they were able to conquer the challenges of gender bias, racism and the tribulations that come with growing up, with the added pressure of doing it in front of an international microscope. 

6. Their faith passed onto them through their parents, through the faith of Jehovah's Witness, I feel gives us a glimpse into how deeply rooted her mother is in her position as a loving mother and guardian to keeping her family unit closely knitted together through the teachings of Jehovah God who the sisters thank after they win a match. Historically we are taught through film, books etc. that the women in Greek mythology are represented visually by fair skinned ethereal women who were created to be aspirational-feared, desired and  lusted after by men and women. The Williams sisters stepped into these roles and reinvented this myth of meritocracy.  They are not equal to their white counterparts who play the same game and had to break the myths of what it means to be a "lady" on the court and in business. They are not fair skinned, slim, floating Goddesses that fly through the air with grace and ease casting spells. They are real women who we watched have developing bodies, that are strong, athletic-built for a sport in which they need to be agile and have endurance in order to win. They scream, sweat, argue, bander, cuss and dispel the myth of the Greek and Roman goddess.              Again, I wish there were a movie which highlighted their performance and bond solely to show these dimensions of their womanhood. 

6. I think the mother portrayed in the film is a loving supportive character to the girls and the father that fought hard to create the brand that will become Serena and Venus. Yet again the film is more to highlight the dynamic between the father and the girls and his passion for creating what we as spectators see today.  

7. With the help of athletes like Serena and Naomi, being vulnerable speaking about their challenges in the areas of family planning, mental health, it has paved the way for many other athletes to break the stigma of remaining silent in order to continue the perception of being fearless and indestructible.

Infant mortality in the Latina and Black culture is not addressed enough or included when we talk about family planning. Serena has addressed women's issues such as family planning and her battles with anxiety and depression in support of fellow tennis player Naomi Osaka's share that she battles with depression. By offering this and shining a light on this issue, it has allowed the conversation to be acceptable in the sports industry. She had helped to dispel the myth that athletes must "suck it up" at all costs and be warriors at all times. 

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[shedidthatgirlinnovators]

They came for us...what are you gonna do?

What is Roe v. Wade and when was it passed? Why is it important? Poet Fatima Asghar: "if they come for you they come for me too..." 

Why is bodily autonomy important? Why is the right to live freely so important? What does living free actually mean? We now see that living freely have specific meanings geared towards men and had now left out women. Bob Marley, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, and now Fatima Asghar, Olivia Julianna will join the ranks of poets and activists fighting for their territories through the power often spoken word, song, and now a young woman named Olivia Julianna has stood in defiance against an undisputed misogynist Matt Gaetz with the click of a button labeled SEND...Roe is synonymous with not just bodily autonomy with all women from all cultures around the world, but it is considered a legal right that was established with the laws of the United States in order to protect women from the horrors that occurred when women were performing what was known as "back door" abortions. This occurred pre-Roe when women, who were desperate for family planning measures and the safety and security of an abortion performed it on themselves-this was unimaginably done in bathrooms, stairwells and the unfortunate gruesome term "back alley" was due to the gruesome discovery of finding women bleeding to the death literally in back alleys-absolutely abhorrent an image to imagine then and now...in a society that is supposed to be considered conscious, aware, educated and liberal in our beliefs that ALL individuals are deserving of humanity...it is happening in 2022. These back alley abortions resulted in fatal deformities of the body, sepsis, hysterectomies and eventually death from complications from such horrific self-mutilation. Women died in shame, regret and often alone. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, holding that there was no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion.

2. What is the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution? Which US Congressperson recently publicly revealed her ignorance about this amendment? What are your thoughts about this?

It is difficult to believe that something seemingly so simple as using a number two pencil and filling in a small bubble on a piece of paper next to a name and then taking that paper and putting it into a ballot box in order for your "vote" to be counted...your voice to be heard...in this process called voting. It is reported that one woman was the only one in support of the 19th amendment-Jeanette Rankin.

The 19th amendment to the U.S. constitution granting women the right to vote, is passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. The women’s suffrage movement was founded in the mid-19th century by women who had become politically active through their work in the abolitionist and temperance movements. In July 1848, 240 woman suffragists, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, met in Seneca Falls, New York, to assert the right of women to vote.  In today's political world it is unfortunate we have elected officials who take part in political theatre. There are many already elected who are ignorant to the historical facts of the U.S. let alone world politics and succumb to theatrics to deflect from their voters that they are clueless and have no agenda, but one to create havoc on our democracy. For example. Lauren Boebert admitted in a live televised debate that she did not know what the 19th amendment was. She is the exception to the countless women in her age group that actually are informed, intelligent and care about history.

I have been a registered voter since I was of legal age to do so and very proud of it.

LET US KNOW HOW IT GOES!

On the flip side you have representatives like congressman Matt Gaetz who as Lauren Boebert instead of discussing policy discusses the appearance of women and has gotten himself into a war he will never win, especially with a young woman who has the force of social media to support her:

The twitter war which trended on twitter over the weekend of July 4th 2022. has not only galvanized young women to fight against men like this, it has now earned him the name "RapeyMcForehead" For Matt who is facing criminal sexual allegation assault charges from an investigation by the Justice Department that began in 2020 over sex trafficking, he has earned the name rightfully so. Once you start a war so recklessly and unjustified as he has it shows the character and integrity of an individual. In this case-a man, who has chosen to fight a young woman in public on social media-he is fair game.

6. EXPLORE THE GUTTMACHER INTERACTIVE MAP (Links to an external site.): What are your thoughts on the restrictive abortion laws recently passed in Idaho, South Dakota, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi? Will this backfire in the 2022 mid-term elections? I chose the state I live in and was shocked to see the state I thought was liberal, and liberal by definition meaning the ability to see "both sides" to laws, policy, governing, my state has now become a place with some restrictions/protections as opposed to NYC where I grew up that is protected. I am not of child bearing age but I realize I have no place to tell a young woman what to do with her body. That is the purpose of having autonomy. It is her decision in the privacy of her doctors office what happens to her body....it is none of my business and I will vote for officials who align with that ideology....PROTECT WOMEN!

[shedidthatgirlinnovators]

Icons of Inspiration and Resilience

I keep an inspiration board on my wall and every September is my official new year. It is the time, I start my intentions, a new journal and new goals for the year. One of the women posted on my wall from one of my favorite magazines, Vogue...is Michelle Obama, and another is actress and activist Yara Shahidi.

What is inspiring about Yara is that she has navigated the world of the film and television industry as a young actress with great success, not financially but emotionally and professionally; despite the many pitfalls and temptations that someone so young is surrounded by and can be susceptible to. As one of the lead characters on a predominantly African American hit comedic sitcom, Blackish(2014-2021) she has not only grown up from a girl to teenager on national television, but she has also utilized the platform to bring awareness for her generation to become involved politically through the power of voting. Her mission is to help her generation navigate the web of politics and policy, by first giving voice to the immediacy and importance of registering to vote, learning about issues that impact not just you but your community and voting. It is right we often take for granted, but should be in our rear view mirror along with the urgency of getting a license once we turn 18, we should find that same urgency to get active in the policies that define our neighborhoods, our towns, cities and country, or someone else will....and as young adults, haven't we said at one point or another that we're tired of the old folks telling us what to do!

I am Lisa, originally from Brooklyn New York. A senior now, I have learned so much from these extraordinary professors and classes that have truly transcended my expectations in higher learning.                         Raised by a single mother from the West Indies who immigrated to America, Carmen became a nursing supervisor in one of the best leading trauma centers in the nation-Kings County Hospital.      She expected me to excel in school. One evening I read the teachers comments from a report card and I asked her to define this word the teacher wrote that I lacked. She agreed and I felt humiliated. I felt girls are supposed to stick together and defend us, no? No I would learn decades later. Girls, women are supposed to mirror to us and point out our faults to reveal our greatness. So this word and the one word that stuck with me she said I lacked at around age ten was INITIATIVE. It is word that has redefined the way I make decisions in everything I do and has served me well to position me in such an esteemed institution as TNS. I am forever grateful to her, especially this September as in a few weeks will be her birthday and coming up on the anniversary of her passing.                                                                     My mom suffered greatly in her death, showing strength, humility and love despite the pain she endured. My deepest admiration goes to this woman who provided for me, inspired me, scolded me and often times fought with me. She showed resilience....she truly did that.