By Ayanna Watson/ reporter
Jennifer Casas-Salas/The Collegian
SE students learned about Wonder Woman and feminism on International Women’s Day March 8.
SE government instructors Ruthann Geer and Marilyn Murphy presented background about Wonder Woman and other influential women, talked about how the media portrays women and presented a definition of feminism.
“Not even girls want to be girls so long as our feminine archetype lacks force, strength and power,” Geer said. “The obvious remedy is to create a feminine character with all the strength of Superman plus all the allure of a good and beautiful woman.”
Wonder Woman was created in 1941 by William Moulton Marston. During that time, women in America were working in the factories for the first time while their husbands were off fighting World War II, Murphy said.
Wonder Woman was an example to women of who they were and what they could accomplish.
“Wonder Woman creates for us a history, and it parallels how women and history have always been,” Murphy said.
Geer said feminism is the “belief that women should be allowed the same rights, power and opportunities as men and be treated in the same way. It encompasses activities aimed at defining, establishing and defending equal political, economic and social rights for women.”
The instructors opened the floor and asked students to give their thoughts on what the definition of feminist/feminism is. Students’ answers included equal pay, the right women have over their bodies and equality in every aspect.
Geer and Murphy also discussed the different myths associated with feminism and wanted to clear the air of any negative understandings of feminism.
One of the myths addressed was how feminists hate men. They broke down why people say that and why it’s not true.
“Where do you think the idea of man-hating came from? A man,” Geer said.
Murphy gave students other influential women such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Lara Croft and Princess Leia from Star Wars. She showed why Lara Croft was so influential even if she is a video character.
Once guys started realizing they can make money having girls in the video games, they decided to put more hero women in the games, Murphy said.
“You can’t be what you can’t see,” Geer said.
They also asked students who they would consider as a role model. Some students gave famous singers or actresses, their moms as well as their husbands. Geer told students about a study of 1,300 women over the age of 45 who listed Michelle Obama, Oprah, Hillary Clinton and Beyonce as feminist role models.
“If you don’t have a female role model, then you need to be that person,” Murphy said.
They educated students not to diminish what women do and also challenged students to look up powerful women in history who might not be in our history books.
“I learned that Wonder Woman was a movement, and we are slowly but surely getting into power and overcoming obstacles that were in our way,” SE student Michelle Ajamma said.
