Nike Advertisement
This was a video advertisement published by Nike, an American consumer goods company. The ad contrasted the common sexist theme of what it means to be a girl with the real meaning of it means to be a girl. It provides a solid juxtaposition used to emphasize the strength and power women should have to be different and create change. Initially going with the historically common sexist idea that girls can only be sweet and sing and dance, it quickly transitioned into the theme of strength and accomplishment through athletics. This was a powerful ad that was well received by the public and set a standard for women in sports and more importantly the real world. It is also important to note that a company as influential as Nike releasing content like this shows the dynamic shift from marginalizing women in pop culture to encouraging to be proud of their womanhood.
Ellen DeGeneres: I’m Gay, Ellen DeGeneres, 2012
This was an interview released in 2012 on YouTube that was published by MAKERS to have Ellen DeGeneres talk about her feelings at the time of coming out of the closet and expressing her sexuality. This was very important step forward in the context of Women’s Rights because part of the movement has been sexual expression and that is something that has started to become more acceptable to speak about in modern America. This was a big deal for DeGeneres to come out because she served as a role model for many women and for her to be open about this started the charge for women (and men) to be more open about their sexuality. She was also one of the first gay lead roles for a show, showing the drastic shift in what was acceptable during the time and what was acceptable during periods such as the early 1900s and 1960s.
Sexual Assault and Violence Against Women
The #MeToo social media campaign served as a way for women to express their problems with the issues of sexual assault and harassment. Prior to recent cultural shifts, women were often shamed and blamed for having things like that to happen to them, but this website which was soon started after the social media hashtag shows how the culture has changed in terms of the safety of women. Only recently has this topic that is related to the Feminist Movement been easier for women to express themselves with issues such as domestic abuse and sexual assault. The campaign served and continues to serve as a way to give women a voice as well as the help they had not had prior. Anything that had been related to sex or violence against women had been brushed under the rug in the past but there has been a shift in the culture that has caused these issues to be heard