The misogyny of the arts does not manifest itself in loud ways. Rather, it can be seen in the erasure of women’s history within the humanities and the subtle but strong exclusion within the industry. By learning the history and current statistics of women in the humanities, it is easy to argue that the humanities are almost as misogynistic as every other industry.

Women’s History in the Humanities

Legends are legends because they were able to define or redefine an aspect of life. What would Western philosophy be without Socrates? Would any classical music playlist be complete without Mozart? Could a class on American literature bear to mention F. Scott Fitzgerald? These men, among many others, have carved their name into history. Because history would be incomplete without them – or at least that is what the narrative tells us.

If legends are remembered because of their impact, then why is it that Aspasia of Miletus’ name has been nearly lost to history despite being the tutor of Socrates, who then tutored Plato, who then tutored Aristotle, and so on?  Why is it that even though her musical abilities were on part with her brother’s, Maria Anna “Nannerl” Mozart’s name is considered a cliff note? Or what about the women like Zelda Fitzgerald, the woman whose diatribes were what made F. Scott Fitzgerald’s writing career, but are only remembered as a wife?

None of this is to deny the skill or influence of any of these men. It is simply to question why their legacies can be taught as a degree while women of the same skill and influence are being lost to history with every passing day. By prioritizing the contribution of men and constantly – and intentionally – erasing the contributions of women, the art world is  disgracing the people it could not exist without.

​Side Note:

Here are some legendary but criminally underrepresented women within the arts:

Philosophers: Aspasia of Miletus [2] and Hypatia of Alexandria [3].

Authors: Sophia Tolstaya [4] and Alice Walker [5].

Painters: Sofonisba Anguissola [6] and Ma Xianglan [7].

Musicians: Maria Anna “Nannerl” Mozart [8] and Teresa Carreño [9].

Women in the Humanities Today:

Misogyny in the arts targets not only historical female artists, but also towards female artists of today. Famously, the Guerrilla Girls discovered that less than 3% of exhibited artists in museums were female, despite women making up 83% of all nude figures in art [10]. In 2024, only thirty-seven percent of artist that made the billboard for top 100 musicians were women [11]. As of 2023, women made up only seventeen percent of literature award winners [12]. These statistics, although shocking, are only snapshots of the current industry.

When Art Prof interviewed female artists about their lived experiences, many reported their art being pigeonhole into romance or motherhood, having job recruiters hire men who they saw themselves in, and having people be physically shocked upon finding out their favorite art was done by a woman. These experiences, amongst countless others, has caused female artists of today to feel like the boys-club that they are trying to enter is not barred by a glass ceiling but rather a brick wall.

Women’s Future in the Humanities

Having been erased from history and covered up today, and with the lack of recognition and support around this issue, female artists are left wondering when – or if – they will be able to make the equitable gains that women in many other industries have made. To support female artists, it is crucial to learn their contribution to art history and their current contributions to the art world. Even if it means knowing Natalia Sedova’s name rather than Leon Trotsky’s. And if you are an artist who happens to be a girl reading this: remember that your work is just as important, keep reminding yourself and the world of that. 

The post Misogyny in the Humanities: Simplified appeared first on GirlSpring.

A couple of weekends ago, I sat down and talked with my mom specifically about her job. A while back, I started a Women in Business Interview Series, and this year, I decided to kickstart it with one of the best in the game I know! No bias here! 

Who is Kari Wilbanks?

My mom, Kari Wilbanks, runs her own interior design firm and has for seventeen years. She is a designer that focuses mainly on new construction for homes. She earned her degree at the University of Alabama, but it was not the route she thought she was going when starting her college education. This has been very reassuring in my own college search to know that things do change, and it is okay to find your passions later on! Ultimately, she landed on interior design because it was the best combination of some of the things she loved: being creative, working with others, and process thinking. As a kid, finding new designs, whether it was just around her room or rearranging her mother’s things, was never uncommon for Wilbanks, and she credits this time to being steps that lead her to interior design for a living. 

Starting Kari Wilbanks Interior Design!

For the first seven years as an interior designer after internships here in Birmingham, Wilbanks was faced with a new challenge because of her husband’s relocation to Tampa. Fortunately, she was encouraged by those around her to take a leap of faith. Kari Wilbanks Interior Design was officially open for business!

While she enjoys being her own boss, Wilbanks recognizes that it is not the strategy for everyone. She loves the flexibility that managing yourself provides, especially when my sister and I were younger, it was very helpful to accommodate our schedules. When opening your own business, Wilbanks says it is very important to be a self-motivator. Being able to hold yourself accountable and encouraged to work is the key to success.

At the beginning of a new business, the motivation is necessary because of additional work such as accounting that may not be able to be hired so soon. To those looking into entrepreneurship, Wilbanks notes to “not listen” to the fears that people may project onto you. She says to stay confident in your work, believe you can always get it done, and know that you can do a good job. Your work is solely yours so believing in your abilities is the first step towards being a successful entrepreneur.

Wilbanks’ Advice on Entrepreneurship!

Although confidence in yourself is necessary, Wilbanks advises to never discount the lessons that others can teach you. She suggests finding a role model in your field that inspires you to be just as successful and provide a “footprint” for your work. Interning for interior design really puts into perspective the detail that the job revolves around. She says real-world experience shows the true nitty-gritty of the design field, especially if you are interested in the job’s route that deals with everyone else like builders, contractors, etc (what my mom does). 

Yes, Wilbanks agrees, interior design is fun, but she wants to make clear there is so much more to it than that. Wilbanks uses the analytical side directly with her creative mind in her work. Something many people do not realize is the large amounts of math involved in interior designing. There are many numbers to account for that will ultimately determine the beauty of your work and satisfaction of clients. 

Why Wilbanks’ Is An Inspiration!

By satisfying clients, Wilbanks finds a sense of empowerment. She is able to listen and deliver her clients wishes while knowing they trust her to perfectly execute something they want to spend the rest of their lives in. To Wilbanks, interior design is a collaboration. She strives to find the best fit for her clients while implementing her own expertise to make a home they truly love. In order to stand out in her field, Wilbanks knows authenticity is of utmost importance. She does not believe this is limited to just interior design; authenticity allows a connection to those you are working with and the best end result for all. 

I have felt so lucky to grow up with a mom who truly exemplifies these traits. She has taught my sister and I the same qualities that she applies to her job: staying confident in yourself and learning from others. Although I do not wish to follow in her footsteps, I truly admire my mom’s dedication to her job that has not faltered throughout my life. Remember that your passion may not be apparent at first, but it will come in time and self motivation will follow! IF you have any more questions, feel free to reach out to me, and I (or my mom) can answer! 

Check out Sherrod’s first Women in Business Series article on Cookie Fix’s, Amy Jason — here!

The post Women in Business Series: Kari Wilbanks of Kari Wilbanks Interior Design appeared first on GirlSpring.

Before the Vote & Political Sheroes

Before the Vote is a ten-episode podcast video series on YouTube that covers the many ways teens can exert influence over government and politics even before they have the right to vote. On the series, I have been able to interview some pretty cool women that work in the Alabama legislative and judicial systems on how and why they got into their positions, as well as how teen voice can help them in their jobs. On other episodes, I’ve chatted with fellow teens on tangible ways we can share our voices outside of voting. 

If you’d like to check out the series (which I highly recommend you do), you can find it here. Also, if you watch a video, please consider taking the survey linked in the description box of each video. This lets me know what you think of the series! The survey is completely anonymous and takes a maximum of two minutes to fill out.

Now that I’ve given a brief overview of what Before the Vote is, I wanted to share with you some of the major highlights of the interviews and conversations that made up the series to hopefully empower you to use your voice to influence politics in today’s world.

1. We all have a part to play in our government

Oftentimes teens assume that because they don’t yet have the right to vote, they don’t have a part to play in government affairs. This is a far cry from the truth, because our country’s government is designed with the goal of representing all citizens, not just those over 18.

While there are certainly downfalls in that system today, there are still means for teens to get their voices out to ensure they are well-represented, and it’s our responsibility to utilize those resources. This is especially important for female teens, who are vastly underrepresented in today’s government.

2. Know those who represent you

The job of representatives and senators is to represent their constituents, and you are one of them! After talking with two state representatives and a state senator on the podcast, it was made clear to me that they value any and all input from the people they represent, especially young teens.

Teens have a unique perspective and an acute awareness of issues that older generations simply don’t know as much about, therefore, it’s our civic duty to ensure that we share those issues and perspectives with those that represent us. Find the contact information of your State Representative and Senator, as well as your Congressional Representative and Senators. And let them know what you’re thinking! This is definitely a means of sharing my voice that I hope to engage in more going forward.

3. Stay informed

In order to be aware of issues affecting us and our communities, we have to be tuned in to the news. I like to get my news from podcasts, but you can also educate yourself on current affairs by reading online news articles, print news sources, or even on social media, however, a major problem we face today as consumers of the media is the massive amount of misinformation and bias flying around.

It’s a good idea to fact-check information you consume and keep an eye out for potential biases in reporting. Sometimes it’s best to read about the same event from multiple sources to try and weed out the true facts of the case.

4. Use social media to your benefit

As I’m sure you already know, we have a powerful, powerful tool at our fingertips. In addition to using it to get quick updates on current events, social media can also be used to spread the word about a cause you have a passion for.

You can share educational posts that other users make, you can join an online community centered around a specific cause, or you can even create your own page dedicated to an issue you care about. Just make sure that the information you’re sharing is factual, and be sure that you’re understanding and respecting others’ differences in opinion.

5. Get plugged into local politics

Many people overlook the presence of local politics in our daily lives, but if you’re looking for a way to make a direct impact on your community, then getting involved in your local government is a great place to do so.

See if you can form a teen coalition at city council meetings, or get in touch with your mayor’s office to see if there are any opportunities for you to get involved. Even carrying out local community service projects can help further a cause you care about.

6. Explore youth in government programs

Youth in government programs are a fantastic way to get direct experience with the actual processes behind passing legislation, deciding a legal case, and creating policy. The YMCA has Youth in Government programs, including the Youth Judicial and Youth Legislature conferences, in just about every state in the US. There are also Girls State and Boys State programs across the nation.

Furthermore, most schools have a student council of some sort where students can take on a decision-making role within their school governments, which is crucial, because students are the ones mostly impacted by administrators’ decisions.

7. Learn how to have civil conversations

This is a tough skill to take on in today’s politically-polarized society; I struggle with it myself, but it’s crucial if we hope to have a future generation of problem solvers that are united by shared nationality and not divided by different parties.

When faced with a difference in opinion, we must choose to see the person behind the opinion and not just the party. We can’t villainize the other side and get defensive over our own opinion. Instead, we must try our best to listen to the reasoning behind the other person’s beliefs and use the disagreement as an opportunity to educate the other person on our beliefs. If all else fails, and no one is able to pull the other person to their side, then simply agree to disagree. Don’t let political arguments disrupt relationships—it’s just not worth it.

Reflect on everything

This was a lot of information, but don’t be overwhelmed! Those are just a few of the major themes that ran throughout the conversations I had while making the Before the Vote series.

I hope you’ll take a moment to check out an episode or two, but even more than that, realize how important your voice is toward the effectiveness of our government!

If you wish to stay updated on politics and the daily news in the area, click the link here and check out podcasts that cover politics!

The post Sharing Your Voice “Before the Vote” appeared first on GirlSpring.

A while back, I reached out to Amy Jason wondering if she would be interested in doing an interview as a woman in business. She is the owner of the delicious company Cookie Fix. If you don’t recognize the company name and find you live around one of their locations, I highly suggest you change that and try any of their cookies.

I thought, how does someone become the master behind a life changing product?, And Mrs. Jason was more than willing to answer my questions! Here are some key takeaways from a successful woman in business that may interest you!!

How it Started

Mrs. Jason detailed how growing up she and her family always had a little sweet tooth. With the support of her parents, she continued to bake for them as a fun activity and for her own experimentation. After having kids, she picked up the hobby again as a way to gift friends and family, but never really considered expanding her baked goods for profit.

However, after trying numerous recipes claiming they were the “best,” Jason always came back to her own cookies and realized that other people might agree with her. Starting with her oatmeal toffee chocolate chip cookie, she started to grow her business by selling cookies for pickup from her house. Amy said it was the push and support of friends and mentors that got her to finalize her decision and open up a cookie store.

With some guidance from Andy McMakin, husband of the Ashley Mac, Mrs. Jason was reassured in her expansion into the business world. She details that the help of experienced mentors was crucial to her opening this new chapter of her life. With their encouragement, Jason became happy to provide for the community the perfect pick me up treat: cookies!

Inspiring Women

Moreover, Mrs. Jason advises girls to continue what they love in life. Instead of doing something that feels like work, she says to just follow the energy of whatever you are naturally passionate about that can make you happiest in life. She suggests striving to be the best you can at your favorite thing, and it will all work out!

She had a passion for cookies and she was able to combine this with other things that brought her joy like organizing, decorating, and meal prepping to make the business that was true to her. Whether you have to create it yourself or it is already out there, a place for your passion is waiting so go after it! With help and support from those around you, finding a job doing what you love will steer you away from the stereotypical dread of work. 

Cookies!

Cookie Fix is a staple in Alabama and has locations in Cahaba Heights, Homewood, Twickenham Square, and coming soon to Franklin, Tennessee! They’re known for having tall cookies stuffed with goodies that are still crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.

Their menu rotates every week with different flavors options on each day that can be found on their “cookie calendar” on their website. Go check them out and support a delicious, woman owned business!

Here’s more on how you can consider starting a small business just like Amy Jason!

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Since the ratification of the Constitution in 1781, voting and elections have changed over time. Voting rights and representation in office have been scarce for women, people of color, and the LGBTQIAP+ community. For minority groups like these, it can be hard to have your voice heard.

The 15th Amendment has changed to include the rights of more than just straight white men. These men have never had to fight for representation in their own country, so it was important that minority groups got the representation they needed. As time went on, minority groups are more open to elections and voting than they had been before.

Representation in Congress

In 2020, at least five LGBTQ+ politicians were elected to office. Of these five, two were Black and three were women. Sarah McBride was the first transgender state senator of Delaware. This made her the highest-ranking state legislator in the country. Ritchie Torres was one of the first Black gay men in Congress, and also the first gay Afro-Latino in Congress. Now, he is one of the first Black gay men to be in the House of Representatives. It’s sad and shocking that these firsts have not come earlier in history.

On November 3rd, the number of Native American women in Congress reached a new record. The three women who broke this record are Deb Haaland, Sharice Davids, and Yvette Herrell. Haalan and Herrell are both part of the House of Representatives, and both of them represent New Mexico. They are the first state to have two Native American women as Congress delegates. Eighteen Native American women were running for spots in Congress in 2020, which is 2.6% of all women that ran that year. This was the highest percentage since 2004 and though this is still a small number, it is definitely progress.

African-American Voting

The 15th Amendment was passed in 1869 so that African-American men had the right to vote. Specifically, it says that the right to vote will not be affected by race or color. Some states still had measures to prevent them from voting, and it was only after years that these barriers were overcome. Hiram Rhodes Revels became the first African-American in Congress in late 1870. However, at the same time, Southern states revoked the 14th and 15th Amendments, which took away some rights of African-Americans. The government overcame this with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 so, African-Americans finally got voting rights.

Women in Congress

In January 2021, there was a very diverse set of Congress lawmakers. Two congresswomen were Native American, two were Muslim, and two were Black. Arizona and Tennessee had their first female senators, as well. There is finally more representation in Congress than there has been before. It is a good sign of representation for future elections. Also, if certain people are unsuccessful in running for office, others will be inspired to run. The world is looking towards a Congress with plenty of representation.

The Constitution was ratified in 1787. Voting and elections have come a long way since then. These changes are particularly important within Black, female, and LGBTQIAP+ communities. Many firsts were made recently, including the first gay Black men in Congress and the first female senators for several states. The 15th Amendment was ratified so that African-Americans could have voting rights. When it backfired, the Voting Rights Act showed a solution. The American government has had a lot more representation in voting and elections.

Click here to see why we push so hard to fight for equality! Your vote matters!

The post Elections in the United States appeared first on GirlSpring.

Listed down below are 3 highlights of my experience and why I think these chapters are truly beneficial. 

1. Spreading GirlSpring’s Mission

• The GirlSpring website was first launched in 2016 and aimed to empower girls to reach their full potential.

• Through articles, camps, and seminars, GirlSpring spreads the message of women’s empowerment and overall uplifts the female community.

• Through starting or participating in GirlSpring chapters, one can help bring this message of female positivity into an academic atmosphere and aid the organization in reaching a larger scope of people.

• Chapters can also help share GirlSpring Wonder Woman events and activities such as STEM night!

     2. Forming Everlasting Friendships

• In my school, we always start off each GirlSpring meeting by sharing fun facts about ourselves and getting to know everyone in the club.
• Icebreakers are an amazing way to build relationships with others, and having a close-knit group of friends is beneficial in various settings.
• Furthermore, through universal clubs such as GirlSpring, you are able to form bonds with girls from diverse age groups and backgrounds.

       3. Shared Experiences and Inclusivity

• Given the transparency and diversity found in each chapter, GirlSpring’s clubs allow girls to share experiences that can be very eye-opening.
• Each month, club leaders develop a slideshow that covers topics related to women’s empowerment, ranging from light-hearted topics to deeper ones.
• During our presentations, we try to make the program very interactive and give listeners the ability to share their own thoughts.
• Inside GirlSpring chapters, you are also able to provide others with a voice, as chapter members have the opportunity to write their own articles and podcasts to post onto the website!

To check out examples on how GirlSpring empowers our young girls, click here to see how Bella Gentry defines empowerment in her own words

And, don’t forget to check out what the USAID shares about women’s empowerment on a daily timeline

The post My Top 3 Favorite Things About Leading a Girlspring Chapter appeared first on GirlSpring.

Here are four mood-boosting songs that guarantee a dose of girl power. 

“Love Myself” by Hailee Steinfeld 

The title gives it away; this song is about loving yourself, ignoring the haters, and finding yourself. This song’s message by Hailee Steinfeld – a young yet powerful woman who has released many songs that reinforce the power of feminism such as “Most Girls” – becomes clear throughout, and connotes that we should all love ourselves despite what anyone says. 

“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor 

Not only does this ballad fill us with 70s nostalgia, but its catchy disco vibes about moving on strong after a breakup signifies the importance of self-expression. This song has become a popular covered song by many artists nowadays, such as Demi Lovato, and Gaynor’s impressive and evocative vocals are mesmerizing, rendering it perfect for a singalong. 

“Primadonna” by Marina and the Diamonds

A personal favorite, I usually listen to this song when I am doing my makeup or in the shower. It gives an enjoyable, nostalgic “2000s” sound like something off Disney Channel. Most significantly, the lyrics that genuinely stick with me: “I’m a primadonna girl/All I ever wanted was the world/I can’t help that I need it all”, as they signify that girls can validate themselves without validation from others. I interpret it as a girl with big dreams, who is called “difficult” by the people around her, but she desires a life full of glamor and will not give in to others’ words. 

“God Is a Woman” by Ariana Grande 

I still vividly remember when this song dropped during the summer of 2017, and everyone was blown away by the music videos and strong message Grande was portraying – that we should all worship divine femininity, and that women can feel “godly” as well. Men are not the only ones who have power in the world and God should not be constantly portrayed as a man in every sphere, prompting success at breaking down gender barriers. Even though the song’s message was religiously controversial to some extent, its concept became more accepted over time to the point where Lush, the self-care brand, produced a bath bomb called “Goddess” inspired by the song’s concept. I even watched this song being performed live, and it was an incredibly memorable experience with the dancing, heavy bass, and purple theme. 

These songs allow us to bask in self-care, femininity appreciation, and overall, give a power boost of encouragement. Remember how powerful you are and start adding these songs to your playlist!

Check out more songs that empower us as females!

The post Songs that scream “Girl Power” to add to your playlist appeared first on GirlSpring.

To pass the test a movie must achieve these three rules: 

1. Must have at least two female characters 
2. The females must talk to each other 
3. Their conversation has to be about something other than a man 

Movies that do this:

Encanto (2021)

Mirabel’s family is mainly matriarchal. Throughout the film, Mirabel is shown talking to her sisters, Isabela and Lucia, and aunt, Pepa, about the magic in the family. 

La La Land (2016) 

The main character Mia talks wither her roommate Tracy about going to an audition. Later, she talks with the director, Amy Brandt, about the audition process for a role. 

Legally Blonde (2001)

Elle Woods is shown talking to her client about proving her innocent of murder. In the courtroom, Elle also talks to her client’s daughter Chutney about perm maintenance. 

Movies that don’t do this:

The Hurt Locker (2008) 

The movie does not pass the test despite Kathryn Bigelow being the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director. 

The Avengers (2012) 

Despite the movie having three named women: Maria Hill, Pepper Potts, and Natasha Romanoff, none of them interact with other throughout it. 

Tenet (2020)

The film only features two women: Kat and Priya, who are never shown in the same scene.

Is the test flawed?  

Some critics argue that the Bechdel Test is still flawed. While a movie could pass the test, it might still portray women in a misogynistic way. Passing doesn’t mean that the movie does a good job of featuring women. The test also doesn’t consider other factors like race and sexuality. However, it is still useful to see if a film exhibits a basic portrayal of women.

Here are more movies that do and don’t pass the Bechdel Test!

Even more shows that star powerful women can be found here.

The post Movies That Pass the Bechdel Test appeared first on GirlSpring.

In honor of back to school, I thought it would be nice to put things in the overall big picture of women’s education.

See, education for women is actually pretty new, if you take a look at history.

Even today it isn’t universal. We still have women campaigning for the right to an education in their country, such as Malala Yousafszi.

Unfortunately, we don’t always get the names of the wonderful women from years past who fought for our right to learn. So — get ready for some fantastic women who helped fight for women’s education in the U.S.

First up, we have Patsy Mink.

When Mink was unable to go to law school and unable to get a job (both on the basis for being a woman), she dove into politics and worked hard and long for Title IX. After Title IX passed, opportunities in education opened up to millions of women in the United States.

Fun Fact:  Patsy Mink was the first woman of color elected to Congress.

Secondly, there’s Fanny Jackson Coppin. After Coppin was freed from slavery, she became one of the first women of color to earn a college degree. She then worked for 40 years as a principal at the Institute for Colored Youth in Philadelphia. As the Civil War came to an end, Coppin made it her life’s goal and mission to education many former slaves that were migrating to the north. Her work was some of the very beginning in the fight for equal education.

Last, but definitely not least, is the Catholic Nuns. Catholic Nuns, through their education programs, moved millions of poor immigrants into the middle class. They were (and are still considered to be) the educators of the marginalized. They pushed women towards higher education, ran a nationwide system of schools, and had an overall enormous impact on education in the United States.

Thanks to these people, women’s education has really taken off, and we have the opportunities today that wouldn’t have even been a dream 100 years ago. Clearly, this is not the end of the list. So many women have helped campaign for women’s education worldwide; too many people to name.

So — keep these women in mind as you collect your books and pack your bag. Education Equality has come a long way; we sure have a lot to be grateful for!

Want to read more about people that helped women’s education ? –

Women’s History Month: These Female Trailblazers Changed American Education For You and Your Kids. Do You Know Their Names?

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Empowerment is a noun

Defined as the “authority or power given to someone to do something.”

But to me,

empowerment is so much more than mere autonomy.

It’s the oh-so dangerous feeling that one can accomplish anything,

And it’s the force that has continuously redefined our history.

It’s the fire that burns down society’s strongest barriers and stereotypes,

And it strengthens people to stand up and fight for their rights.

Empowerment is the fuel that pushed Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony

To march for women’s suffrage and equality.

It whispered to Serena Williams that she could become one of the world’s best tennis players,

And it challenged Jane Goodall to go against all the naysayers.

Empowerment told Katherine Johnson that she was smart enough to send humans into space,

And it nudged Condoleezza Rice to rise up and become Secretary of State.

This same voice that told these great women what they could achieve

Also lives inside of you, boasting about what you could be.

This voice is calling on you to cast off all those worries and fears,

To finally go through with that dream you’ve had for years.

It’s saying that you have an important role to fill,

A company to run, an empire to build.

Empowerment is encouraging you to claim your place in the world,

To ignore whatever judgement may come and let your power unfurl.

Above all else, it’s telling you that you can make a difference,

All you have to do is listen.

For more about girl empowerment, check out this poem: https://www.girlspring.com/i-like-me-a-poem-about-self-acceptance/

The post Empowerment: A Definition appeared first on GirlSpring.