Hunter Rendleman, a junior at High School North, has organized a screening of “Miss Representation” on Sunday, January 20, at the West Windsor Arts Center from 2 to 4 p.m. A post film panel discussion with women leaders in the community will be filmed. “The film is about female body image, media literacy in today’s society, the future of women, and the effects of media on the female psyche — it is appropriate for ages 13 and over,” says Rendleman. Tickets are $10.
At North, Rendleman is on the school’s diving team and is the head writer for the school’s comedy sketch club. She also coaches the Green Machine robotics team. Rendleman, 16, has been a Girl Scout for nine years. An ambassador (independent) scout for a year, she has chosen to focus on the film for her Gold award project — the highest award in Girl Scouting.
“I chose this topic as my Gold award because of my deep interest in body image and media portrayals of women,” she says. “I had first seen the film at a Princeton University function. I was intrigued by the topics highlighted in the film and chose to pursue it for my award.”
Premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, “Miss Representation,” written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, challenges the media’s limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls. The film includes interviews with teenage girls as well as Condoleezza Rice, Lisa Ling, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Gloria Steinem, and others.
“This film was made to be a change agent in our culture, to inspire both women and men to recognize women’s collective voice, leadership capacity, and equal rights,” says Newsom in a press release. “In a society where media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman’s value and power lie in her youth, beauty, and sexuality — and not in her capacity as a leader.”
A portion of the discussion after the screening will involve the results of an online survey. The questionnaire deals with body image and media literacy in modern society. All of the proceeds from the event go to the producers of the film. The distribution of “Miss Representation” is coinciding with a social action campaign to re-envision women as leaders in society. Visit www.missrepresentation.org for more information.
“The topics brought up by this film include media literacy, body image, the effect of media on women of different ages, and the future of women in society,” Rendleman says. “They are particularly important matters that women of all ages should be aware of.”
Women Leadership, West Windsor Arts Council, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor. Sunday, January 20, 2 p.m. Screening of “Miss Representation,” a film by Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Moderated panel discussion with female community leaders. In conjunction with Hunter Rendleman’s Girl Scout gold award project. $10. 609-716-1931. www.westwindsorarts.org.
