Women in Art History: Artemisia Gentileschi

Artemisia Gentileschi was among the most accomplished Italian Baroque painters during a time when women were rarely even acknowledged by the art community. Gentileschi became the first woman accepted into the Florence Academy of Fine Arts and remains well known for portraying Biblical and mythological women as strong protagonists instead of stereotyped objects. She even depicted herself as a working artist in Self Portrait as the Allegory of Painting (1638-39). Despite being a masterfully executed Baroque work, this self portrait was controversial as it was not generally acceptable for women to hold jobs, especially in the male-dominated field of painting. In addition to defying societal norms and sharing her remarkable talent, Gentileschi also survived an assault and even participated in the prosecution of her attacker at the risk of her reputation.

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Irena Sendler

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President's Day: The Nation's 1st First Lady, Martha Washington

If you would like to read more about Martha Washington, see this website.

•  Martha was born on June 2, 1731, making her eight months older than George Washington.
• Unlike most women in Virginia in the early 1700s, Martha learned to read and write.
• Martha grew to be about five feet tall.
• Martha married Daniel Parke Custis on May 15, 1750.
• Martha gave birth to four children, all of whom she outlived.
• Martha and George Washington were married on January 6, 1759.
• Martha stayed at George Washington’s winter encampments throughout much of the Revolutionary War.
• Martha was the nation’s first First Lady.
• Martha freed George Washington’s slaves almost one year after his death.
• Martha died on May 22, 1802 and lays in rest next to her husband.

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Happy Anna Howard Shaw Day This Friday

Don't feel like celebrating Valentine's day this Friday?

Well, here's another option.

Anna Howard Shaw was born 14 February 1847.

She was pretty influential. She was

a leader in the suffrage movement in the United States, one of the first ordained female Methodist ministers in the United States, and a physician.

Celebrate the women in your life and those who changed history!  :)

(Shout out to Liz Lemon from 30 Rock!)

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Good Media: Mary Cassatt

Focusing on the theme of media, I have chosen Mary Cassatt to exemplify the power of good influence in media.

I have been surrounded by art since I was very young. Fortunately my parents didn’t just let my obsession with Crayola coloring remain a toddlerhood hobby. They gave me access to resources that I realize more and more were invaluable to me becoming an artist. I grew up in the D.C. area, which introduced me to culture, history, and some of the greatest art in the world.

When I was about seven years old my second grade art teacher took us to the National Gallery. I can remember how I felt inside the airy museum and I can remember how the light flooded in through the tall ceiling roof in a calm and reverent way. It’s a place that I try to be in as often as I can, and I never regret a moment spent there. It was on that same trip that I met my first few Mary Cassatt paintings. I just liked her and all of her work. I’m sure that as a seven year-old I liked to see the girls in her paintings. They wore dresses and played on the beach and did every day stuff that I could relate to. I think she saw her world similarly to how I see mine.

From that point on Mary Cassatt stuck with me. I didn’t realize until much recently, that all of the aspects of her work that I love actually made Cassatt’s paintings quite innovative for her time period. She depicted women and families in a different light than was and is often typical; placing them in everyday scenes and capturing small moments that are often overlooked. In comparison, so many pieces of art that were created previous to Cassatt depicted figures who were stoic, grande or mythological, but she was able to create this feeling of nostalgia in her works and she gave women a real voice. She showed them as real people with personality and diversity instead of the pretty little women garbed in satin.

Mary Cassatt was an American born artist who fell in love with art when she was very young. She was determined to make a career in a difficult field where very few women were highly recognized, but to aspire to have a serious career in her time was a rarity in itself. She was able to study in France and became friends with Edgar Degas who introduced her into the society of the other Impressionist artists.

Not only did Cassatt achieve respect as a female artist, but she was an artist in an innovative and revolutionary style and is now known internationally for her art. The impressionists broke away from realism, and they began to paint the emotions and impressions of the scenes and landscapes that they saw. While there are many today who love Monet’s "Water Lilies," Degas’s dancers and Cassatt’s "La Toilette," the reaction from the art world in their time was discouraging. In Impressionists and Their Art Russell Ash says, “Works by Monet, Manet, Renior, Pissaro, and Sisley went for disastrously low prices. . . .”

Aside from the art history lesson, I really admire each of these artists, and Mary Cassatt especially, for taking on these challenges. I think that she is an amazing figure from history who shows us that we can overcome trials, we can do what we love if we try hard enough and we can make a positive impact in the world and in the media. The Impressionists not only made beautiful and uplifting works, but they also created art that changed the way people perceived the world and they opened up new ways of expression.

We can be swallowed up in media—whether it is in the salons of 19th century Paris or the television and social media of the 21st century—but we don’t have to be. We can find ways to utilize media for our benefit and we can make a difference in the media by creating new and uplifting art, stories, movies and music. We can also make a difference by simply promoting good media and not supporting the media that demeans us, not only as women but as citizens of the world. If our great predecessors like Mary Cassatt can do it, so can we!

Article and Illustration by Normandie Luscher

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A Voice for Courage: Sophie Scholl

It can be tough to talk about some of the serious and real issues that are discussed on this blog. I know that for me, it can be empowering and invigorating to study about what is going on in the world and to find ways to contribute and help, however it can also be information overload, or just disheartening. However, I find it helpful to look at the humble giants throughout history who have accomplished great things despite their circumstances and challenges.

To finish up my posts about human trafficking and slavery, I wanted to talk a little bit about one of my favorite heroines, Sophie Scholl. This girl was so incredible. Sophie lived in Germany during the reign of the Nazi Socialist party. She and her brother and other peers were students at the University of Munich who started the non-violent anti Nazi revolutionary group that they called the ‘White Rose’. They had a few reasons for the name, but the one that sticks out to me is that the white rose symbolizes purity and innocence in the face of evil.

Their situation was different than ours is today; however, they were still motivated by the same principles of love, freedom and peace for all people that motivates us as disciples of Christ. The girls that I have been talking about in my posts in regards to human trafficking are oppressed in different ways, but however different their circumstances, they still need freedom. They need someone to fight for them. They need voices of courage to speak for them.

Sophie and the other members of the White Rose boldly spoke out against that terrifying regime. They were so passionate about the rights and freedom for their people that they wrote out their philosophies and pleadings to their fellow Germans and then distributed them on leaflets and left them anonymously throughout the campus.

Can you imagine the courage that it would take to speak out against the Nazi party? The Nazis were ruthless, but these students knew and understood the value of truth, the worth of freedom and the worth of each soul. They knew that it was worth sacrificing for and Sophie and many other members of the White Rose became martyrs for their cause.

The victims of the Holocaust were ripped from their homes and dehumanized, their possessions were taken from them, and they were brutally killed. The victims of human trafficking are similarly often ripped from their homes and societies, dehumanized and brutally abused. They face terrible atrocities and as Mormon wrote, they are [deprived] . . . of that which [is] most dear and precious above all things, which is chastity and virtue’ (Moroni 9:9).

Thank goodness for that passion for freedom that has driven countless people to crusade and fight for liberty and safety and to fight against the opposition of purity and innocence. Thank goodness for people like Sophie Scholl and those of the White Rose who put every ounce of effort that they had into spreading the message of truth.

One of the Women’s Services and Resource Center’s themes right now is "Be a Voice of Courage." We may not need to sacrifice our lives for the causes that we feel passionate about, but even if you are only one person, your voice is valuable and you can make a difference through your actions and most especially with your words. Be a voice of courage and take a stand for freedom, whether it is in your broader community or within your own home.

Another way that you can participate in the Voice of Courage Campaign is to run with us October 19th at the Voices of Courage 5K. The run will start at 8:30 am at the RB Quad.

Also, another P.S. There is a great movie screening next week on campus that talks about these important women’s issues and helping women to become free all around the world. If you would like to see this film, Half the Sky, I definitely encourage you to go! It will play in two parts: the first half will be played October 2nd and the second half will be shown on the 3rd. It will be in room 238 in the HRCB. Join the Facebook group here.

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"Jesus Is A Feminist"

“Jesus is a feminist.” My Relief Society sister said this to me as a matter of assured fact and with obvious enthusiasm.

I thought for a moment about how the general public would react to that statement. I remembered moments when I had stated that I myself was a feminist. I typically received reactions ranging between two extremes. One was that I was praised for shunning my patriarchal oppressors who expected me to only become a lowly housewife, locked inside of some 1950s sitcom. The other reaction brought an onslaught of raised eyebrows and quizzical looks that suggested that I must be apostatizing from the Church. Sometimes I received small bursts of negativism and a prompt change of subject.

Some of these reactions startled me a bit, but I think more importantly, they motivated me to ask honest and sincere questions. I realized that when I explained what I thought and felt about women’s issues, others didn’t always agree that what I talked about was defined as feminism. So my first question, however basic, was "What is feminism?"

I noticed that there was a vast difference of opinion from not only members and nonmembers of the Church, and male or female, but it also was significant to note my environment.

There are many girls on BYU campus who are very passionate about women’s rights and equality and they proudly share their title of "feminist." I realized that most of them looked at the term in a vast sense of simply “supporting women,” which is close to how I originally defined the word. When I interned in Washington, D.C. however, people assumed that I, as a self-proclaimed feminist, was pro-abortion, a supporter of sexual freedom, and a power-hungry man-hater . . . or something like that!

I’ve come to realize that "feminism" is one of those incredibly loaded words that means something very different to each person. Some take a self-assumed definition which, as it does in most cases, causes greater confusion, contention and places distance between parties.

Since I have started claiming that I’m a feminist, I’ve decided to do some more research to try and understand within several contexts, what it is exactly that I am trying to say (a smart idea in any case, right?!).

First, for a little debrief on the history of feminism. There have been several "waves" of feminism that have each tried to accomplish different objectives.

1st wave: The first wave of feminism encompasses the initial forms of freedom for women in regards to politics and voting rights with the women’s suffrage movement.

2nd wave: The second wave of feminism was concerned with inequality and preventing discrimination between the sexes.

3rd wave: By far the most controversial wave of feminism was the third, which sought to change stereotypes of women and social perceptions of who a woman is and what defines her.

As it goes in politics, there are conservative and liberal sides within the feminist perspective. Some women want to become the dominant gender, while others simply want to support their fellow sisters in being the best they can.

There is one point that I want to emphasize. When I was talking to one of my friends (a very politically-involved Republican in D.C.) about the term "feminism," he asked, ‘So you don’t feel that men and women are equal?’ The question caught me off guard and I doubted my own stance for a minute, but then I realized that I suppose my answer is no.

I think that the equality between women and men has come a long way in a very short amount of time. This is arguably the best time in the history of the world as far as gender equality is concerned. However, that does not mean that there is freedom for every person. Some forms of oppression are very directly tied to women and there are several specific points that cause women’s issues to remain extremely relevant.  

These are four issues that I think take precedence, and I plan to write about them in later posts:

Educating Women

Human Trafficking, Sex Slavery, and Genital Mutilation

Women in Media

Self-Esteem, Emotion & Depression, and Perfectionism

There are a myriad of issues that pertain to and directly affect women. I feel that when loaded terms and phrases such as "feminism" and "gender equality" are thrown around, the uproar that the words cause end up overshadowing what the words actually indicate.

Those who say that feminism is utterly absurd typically feel that feminists are too aggressive and will jump down their throats in a discussion, and therefore it’s not worth the time to engage with them. I’ve also experienced many times those same people rolling their eyes and not taking much time to listen, even when an attempt is made to be extremely civil in discussion. While there have been several extreme groups throughout history and there are still extremists today, those extreme groups are not necessarily inclusive of every perspective.

What I fear is that when feminism is dismissed or pushed under the rug, these pressing issues are swept away with them. If we never take the time to discuss and learn about the real plights of women, we will never take action against the reality of oppression.

When we run from these issues are we not "going away also" as the Savior indicated to His disciples in John 6:67? I believe that there is a great work for us to do, and that as daughters in His Kingdom, God has endowed us with the power and responsibility to face that work. I believe that the second most important message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, after the Atonement, is the principle of freedom. John Green, my favorite historian, writer/philosopher, and advocate of empathy said, "Try to remember that the world isn’t just, because only then will we have the power to change it." Recognizing that there is room for improvement does not degrade what we have already accomplished. It is striving for Zion, which I think we could all do a little better at.

What I really think feminism is, is embracing freedom for women and treating women--including ourselves and other women around us--with dignity. While some may view feminists as radicals who only glorify women in the work field, I think that feminism cannot be all encompassing until the role of a mother is included in the empowerment of women. Mothers are leaders in their homes and in their communities. As quoted by Kid President, “The secret to changing the world? Moms”.

So would Christ be a feminist? To me He is. To me, He is the greatest supporter of women, but it depends on how we look at the word. So how will we define it? What does it mean to us? While a new wave is not necessarily in order, is a new word in order? The concept of feminism itself is still very new and in some ways fragile and I think we will only know when we take the time and the thought and the research to find out and to decide together as a community of women, men, citizens and saints.

I will go more in depth in future blog posts, but I would love to hear your thoughts and questions. Let me know in the comments below!

Article and Illustration by: Normandie Luscher

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Herstory: English Authoresses

Jane Austen

Perhaps one of the most famous authoresses in the history of English literature, Jane and her sister Cassandra were sent away to be educated. At one point, however, both girls were brought home because their parents couldn't afford to send them away any longer. Jane's education didn't end there though; she spent countless hours immersed in her father's large library. She also received tutelage from her father and brothers. She learned all the skills that young ladies of her standing often learned such as fortepiano, sewing, and dancing. The Austen family was very intellectually open and spent much time discussing political and social issues. Beginning in adolescence, Jane began to write poems and stories to amuse her family and then began writing novels.  Seeing her talent, her father attempted to get one of her novels (First Impressions, later to be named Pride and Prejudice) published, but was unsuccessful. It is unknown whether or not Jane knew about her father's attempt. Later, her brother Henry sold the copyright to her novel Susan (later named Northanger Abbey) to a publisher, but the publisher never did anything with the novel, so they bought the copyright back from him many years later. In 1811, Jane finally became a published author when Thomas Egerton published Sense and Sensibility, followed by Pride and Prejudice in 1813, and Mansfield Park in 1814. John Murray published Emma for her in 1815. Jane died in July of 1817 at the age of 41. Her novels Persuasion and Northanger Abbey were published posthumously as a set by her brother Henry and sister Cassandra in December of 1817. Since it was "unladylike" to author novels in those days, Jane was never identified as the author of her novels until her brother Henry revealed her identity in a Biographical Note in the posthumous novels.  

The Bronte Sisters

Charlotte, Emily, and Anne were born in Yorkshire, England in the early 1800's. After the tragic death of their mother and two older sisters, the remaining Bronte sisters, along with their brother Branwell, became enveloped in incredibly detailed make-believe worlds they would create. Charlotte and Emily were sent away to Cowan Bridge School along with their two older sisters, Maria and Elizabeth. After contracting tuberculosis, both Maria and Elizabeth were withdrawn from the school, but died weeks later. Charlotte and Emily were brought home to Haworth after their sisters' deaths. This loss hit all of the family members deeply, and the loss is reflected in Charlotte's writing in Jane Eyre. Their education continued at another facility and Charlotte later became a teacher there. Emily spent some time as a teacher and Charlotte and Anne both spent time as governesses. The three sisters published a book of poems in 1846 under the pseudonyms Currer (Charlotte), Ellis (Emily), and Action (Anne) Bell. The sisters had to publish under male names because writing, in those days, was very much considered a man's business.

In 1847, Charlotte's Jane Eyre, Emily's Wuthering Heights, and Anne's Agnes Grey were published under their male pseudonyms after their dogged persistence in searching for a publisher. When a rumor developed stating that all three novels had been published by one man, Charlotte and Anne traveled to their publisher in London to prove that each of them was, in fact, an independent author (Emily refused to come).  

Charlotte

At the urging of her publisher, Charlotte battled her paralyzing social anxiety and traveled to meet her public. She was introduced to other famous authors of the time, two of which she became close friends with. She married but died a year later of tuberculosis at the age of 38, along with her unborn child.

Emily

Emily never wrote to achieve fame; she wrote solely to satisfy her own mind. She was the most reserved of the sisters and often preferred to roam the areas around her home by herself. In addition to Wuthering Heights, she also wrote many poems of incredible depth. It is thought that she was writing a second manuscript at the time of her death, which may have been burned by her sister Charlotte to avoid the scandal that was raised by Emily's first novel. She died at Haworth of tuberculosis at the age of 30.

Anne

Not achieving the same kind of fame that her two elder sisters achieved with their novels, Anne is often overshadowed. She wrote two novels, Agnes Grey, which is thought to be semi-autobiographical, and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, which was written as she watched her beloved brother's decline due to alcoholism. Anne, like all of her siblings, died young from tuberculosis at the age of 29.

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O Come, Emmanuel

A gift for the soul this Christmas. No words needed. Merry Christmas!

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Why Weepest Thou?

How do you talk to yourself?

When you hear the word "woman" what connotations immediately jump to mind?

How does the world talk to you, as a woman?

How does the Savior talk to you? I say that using present tense, because though I am going to use examples from the bible, I testify that our Lord does talk to us now if we will listen.

“But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” (Matthew 9:22)

1) Daughter. Jesus addressed this woman, shunned by society as unclean, with respect and love. He addresses her as daughter, and to me this is His acknowledgement of her divinity. He knew that she was the daughter, literally, of a king. I think He saw her as a princess, a noble woman of great worth and with a divine purpose. 

We are all Daughters.

 “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?” John 8:10 (see also John 4:21).

2) Woman. Notice that this woman was an adulteress, a sinner. But instead of humiliating her, the Savior addresses her in the same way He addressed His mother. The word ‘woman’ in the bible, before being roughly translated, was actually closer to the word, ‘lady.’ The word used to address royalty.

We are all women.

 “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother.” John 19: 26-27

3) Mother. Eve was named “the mother of all living” before she conceived or bore children. I think there is something divinely instilled in woman that yearns to love, comfort, and heal. We aren’t required to check the number of our children off before being allowed to be “mothers.” To love, to help, to nurture, to sustain. That is mothering.

We are all mothers.

““Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou?” The Savior was speaking not just to the sorrowing Mary. He was also speaking to us—men, women, and children and all of mankind ever born or yet to be born, for the tears of sorrow, pain, or remorse are the common lot of mankind.”-James E. Faust 

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“To love and live beloved is the soul’s paradise.” -John Winthrop

Friendship. In Hebrew, friendship is “noam”, meaning, also, “sweetness.” (credit)

The sweetest things in life involve the people we love, the people we have the chance to love if we let ourselves. The best relationships are those that are built on true, loyal friendships. 

What makes a truly good friendship? I think it has a few of the following elements, shown through examples:

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Winnie the Pooh and Piglet: 

They can be themselves, entirely themselves, around each other. Being together is pure joy because there’s no pressure to be something different.

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Carl and Ellie From Pixar’s UP

Their relationship, to me, describes true love. Seeing only the good, and caring more about simple little things than about money or some other external thing. 

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Jesus and His Disciples

Selfless, loving service. The Savior taught us the greatest love of all, “that a man layeth down his life for his friend,” something He did for all of us. Giving of ourselves to our friends shows out love and willingness to give time.

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Victoria and Albert Of England

A marriage of choice, a marriage based on and continued as a deep friendship, loving family traditions, and trust.

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Gordon and Marjorie Hinckley

Through thick and thin and everything in between, the love these two had for each other is obvious. They made each other laugh, they expressed their love for each other, they held hands, they truly loved.

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Sam and Frodo The Lord of the Rings

Talk about loyalty and support. Sticking together through the hard times and the good times. Always supporting and buoying and helping each other.

Good relationships . . .

First of all, remember that you have to accept yourself on your own before you can have a good relationship. The only person you should completely rely on is the Savior, right?

• Always based on MUTUAL trust
• Involve two people who are willing to give of themselves
• Both people can be totally themselves; the other partner does no judge 
• Both make sacrifices of time and are willing to do what’s best for the other one.
• You can never say ‘I love you’ too much (or enough)
• Recognize that love is worth working through the hard times
• See the best in each other and, through the other, see your best self 
• Acknowledge that you can learn from each other 
• Can cry together, laugh together, or just say nothing at all 

Bad Relationships

• Only focus on one thing (like physical appearance or talent)
• Are always trying to change each other or tear each other down
• Are manipulative and try to make the other do what you want, regardless of what they want
• Are too persistent or desperate
• Judge each other’s past or flaws—always harping on what they’re not instead of on what they are

Now, I’m not just talking about our romantic relationships. I’m talking about friendships. I’m talking about love. I’m talking about that very most important element, that ability that we have to love and be loved. Let us not forget how divine that is, what a great gift we have. If “God is love,” and we are a part of that great, eternal plan of happiness, love is pretty central. Sisters, we don’t need a reason to love each other. We just need to love. 

I believe that many things were pre-ordained. Have you ever found someone that seems familiar? Have you ever wondered if you knew them before this life? Let us not treat relationships trivially. They are eternal, and we each have something to learn from everyone. Everyone has had experiences that you haven’t had.

So,

Let us love

Let us not judge each other

Let us give each other the benefit of the doubt

Let us think the best of everyone

“And then I saw you and my soul went; oh there you are! I’ve been looking for you.”--Iain Thomas

Love is not reserved for a few people. Love is something that should fill a lifetime and be found for and in each person.

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