Category: Empower Women

Categories
Empower Women Entertainment Mariposa Sisters picks

7 Must-See Biopics about Iconic/Bad Ass Women

Graphic By Khala Clarke

 

If you’re in need of some inspiration from some seriously powerful women, then check out one of these biopics. From artists to politicians, there is bound to be a motivational story you can relate to on this list.

 

Frida

 

If you don’t know who Frida Kahlo is, then this film is a must-see. Kahlo is quite possibly the most well-known Mexican painter of all time. She’s known for her autobiographical self-portraits which incorporated issues of class, gender and heritage. Frida tells the inspiring story of how her grave injury led to her love of painting. It follows her entire life as both a political activist and talented artist, as well as her love story with Diego Rivera. Salma Hayek portrays the legendary Kahlo in this hit biopic and was nominated for an Oscar for the role. 

 

The Iron Lady

 

This film details the life of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Meryl Streep portrays Thatcher, who became the first female prime minister, and longest serving, in the UK. The Iron Lady depicts Thatcher’s fight against both class and gender stereotypes as a female politician. Though the film has mixed reviews, Streep won both an Oscar and a Golden Globe  for her magnificent portrayal of Thatcher. 

 

Erin Brockovich

 

Julia Roberts plays Erin Brockovich in this inspiring film. The movie begins with Brockovich in a not-so-good situation. She’s an unemployed single mother who is being sued due to a traffic accident. She eventually gets hired as a legal assistant by her own lawyer and single-handedly takes down a huge energy corporation by uncovering their involvement in a water contamination incident. Roberts went on to win an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her role.

 

Selena

 

Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla was an award winning artist in the Latin music scene, but she had her life taken from her at an early age. In Selena, Jennifer Lopez depicts Quintanilla’s road to fame and to finding love. However, right on the brink of mainstream success, she is tragically murdered by her good friend. This was Lopez’s breakout role, and it is still regarded as one of her best.

 

Jackie

 

As a Jackie Kennedy fan, this biopic has to be one of my favorites on the list. Natalie Portman portrays former First Lady and international icon Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in this moving film. It follows Onassis’ life after her husband John F. Kennedy is assassinated. She must pick up the pieces and keep going, all while the entire world is watching. From the funeral to her departure from the white house, Portman, who was nominated for an Oscar, gives a chilling performance as the famous First Lady.

 

The Queen

 

This film depicts Queen Elizabeth II’s controversial response to Princess Diana’s death. The real-life events that took place during this time somewhat negatively impacted the public’s view of the Queen, so this film offers an interesting look into what was really going on. Helen Mirren portrays Queen Elizabeth’s ongoing battle between privately mourning versus publicly mourning the late princess. Mirren went on to win both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her role.7 Must-See Biopics about Iconic/Bad Ass Women.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

 

This inspiring film tells the story of how an Afircan-American woman’s cells were used to create the first immortal human cell line that would change the course of cancer treatment forever. Oprah Winfrey plays Deborah Lacks, Henrietta’s daughter, as she embarks on a journey to learn more about her deceased mother. The groundbreaking story was nominated for a Primetime Emmy and Winfrey’s portrayal was well-received by critics. 

 

Author: Ashli Ellerman

Categories
Empower Women Women empowering women women in power

Kamala Harris makes history

"Sen Kamala Harris Save Our Care Rally U.S. Capitol" by Mobilus In Mobili is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

California democratic member of the U.S. Senate, Kamala Harris is the first Black and indian American to be a major party’s vice presidential nominee.

 

Former Vice President Joe Biden, the nominee for President of the United States, announced that he had selected Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate on August 11, 2020, since then Kamala has accepted the nomination.  

 

Kamala pointed out in her nomination speech the divide amongst the American people that has been ignited under Trump’s administration and said she will work to restore inclusivity within America.

 

“There is no vaccine for racism. We’ve got to do the work,” Harris said. “For George Floyd. For Breonna Taylor. For the lives of too many others to name…for our children, for all of us.”

 

Kamala Harris endorses former Vice President Joe Biden by expressing their shared values and explaining how they will strive for change. Harris explains that they both believe in equality and seek to fight for justice for all people of our nation. 

 

On Wednesday Oct. 7 the Vice Presidential debates took place leaving supporters of the Joe Biden and Kamala Harris campaign impressed as a  CNN Instant Poll of registered voters who calculated that Kamala Harris dominated the debate and won. Polls concluded that women said Kamala did a “good job by a 69% to 30% margin.” 

 

Kamala Harris was prepared, assertive, and confident, seeing an empowered Black woman dominating a Vice Presidential debate inspired many women and showed little girls all over the nation that anything is possible. 

 

The Presidential election is right around the corner to register to vote and find out more information on how to vote visit the following links below.

 

https://www.vote.org/?gclid=CjwKCAjwlID8BRAFEiwAnUoK1QF7cs6_LoM8Q2J5cojScRZnRex1c_GG0U40K3ProOS84KmqA0y7BBoCLhUQAvD_BwE

 

https://www.vote.org/register-to-vote/

 

Author: Khala Clarke 

Categories
Empower Women Women empowering women

Black Women Deserve Better

Graphic by Khala Clarke

 

With the recent release of the grand jury decision on the killing of Breonna Taylor, protests erupt across the nation. 

 

Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman was fatally shot 8 times while asleep in her own home on March 13.

 

Louisville police officers killed Taylor in what has been said to be a “botched raid” on her apartment. 

 

Only one of the three officers, Brett Hankison, has been charged but not for the death of Breonna Taylor but for three counts of wanton endangerment as he apparently  endangered Taylor’s neighbors while shooting into her home.  

 

Jonathan Mattingly, and Myles Cosgrove the other two officers involved in the death of Breonna have not been charged. 

 

Breonna Taylor has recieved no justice. 

 

Our mission at Mariposa Sisters is to empower women’s wellness internationally, pushing for a stronger, equal and a better future. With that being said, we see the struggle Black women have endured in America and to that we say, Black women deserve better. 

 

For decades Black women have sustained pain, disrespect and neglect in America all of which goes without saying has been unprovoked. 

 

In 1962 Malcolm X said in a speech “The most disrespected person in America is the black woman, the most unprotected person in America is the Black woman, the most neglected person in America is the Black woman,” Malcolm X says this  to express that Black women must be protected.  This powerful quote spoken by Malcolm X still resonates today. 

 

Since the 1990s Black women have been fighting for social reforms and equal rights and to this day Black women continue to fight for their given rights as we see the marches and cries for justice for Breonna Taylor.

 

Black women, including Black trans women have been pushed to the side, denied rights and denied justice. For years now stereotypes, colorism and racism has given the people of America the idea that it is ok to undermine Black women. 

 

Bella, who is an activist who advocates and fights for not only Black Lives Matter but for BIPOC in the LGBTQ+ community said, “The reason Black women are the most disrespected is because of a long history of colorism & racism that has been embedded in our society. I think an aspect of it is the stereotype “angry Black woman” & when people believe in that stereotype, they think it gives them “a free pass” to disrespect us without consequences.”

 

Breonna Taylor’s case is all too familiar, as many Black women in America lives have been senselessly cut short and or brutalized by the police and others who bring upon hate, rasicim and discrimination. From Sandra Bland, Margaret Mitchell, Kayla Moore, Tarika Wilson, Dominique “Rem’mie’ ‘Fells, Riah Milton and countless others, Black women have yet to be protected, respected and granted justice. 

 

 

 

Jordyn Windom who is an advocate for Black Lives Matter Movement and a student at San José State University, said “In regards to Black women being the most disrespected, I think this has a lot to do with people striving for proximity to whiteness and what is deemed successful in white America.”

 

Hearing from voices of women who experience first hand how Black women are treated today and reading the words of Malcolm X spoken in 1962, calls into question when will the justice system serve for all people?

 

Author: Khala Clarke