By Ashley Wood/reporter
Amazon, princess, goddess — these three words can make any girl’s eyes light up and are the qualities encompassed by Wonder Woman.
In SE Campus’ Film Discussion of Wonder Woman: The Untold Story of American Super Heroines on March 26, the audience saw the rise of feminism through media and Wonder Woman’s evolution.
Wonder Woman came to be in the 1940s during World War II as a symbol of patriotism. She went through many changes in her character from fighting crime to looking for love interests. She was reinvented back into a strong character in the 1970s when second-wave feminism was strong and Lynda Carter played her on television.
According to the film, 90 percent of violence in the world today involves women. With such a high percentage, women need a figure to help them feel safe and confident, and that is where Wonder Woman stepped in.
In a discussion following the film, SE English instructor Pennie Boyett brought up the meaning of feminism.
“The women should be able to do the things they want and work in fields not typical of women’s roles,” she said.
Boyett said feminists aren’t against men or trying to take anything away from them, but rather getting equality.
SE history and geography instructor Kallie Kosc said when the word feminist was used, many believed the person was a man hater, a lesbian or a man-eater.
“The second-wave feminists in the 1970s were really interested in promoting the message that women can do everything without a man,” she said.
In many ways, the message was interpreted as radical, and it turned many wives and mothers against the movement, Kosc says.
“In the late 19th century, the reasoning why women couldn’t vote was that women were considered irrational and hysterical,” she said. “Our biology has always been a sticking point, but feminists don’t try to say men and women are the same biologically.”
The movement tries to erase the idea of there being a superior or inferior body and supports that everyone should have equal opportunity, Kosc said.
SE government instructor Ruthann Geer said everyone needs strong role models, whether men or women.
“Most all of my heroes have fought against the norms that were restricting them in things they wanted to do or accomplish,” she said.
The film is available for checkout in the SE Judith Carrier Library.
