Superwomen

Winner of the 2017 Eisner Award in the Best Academic/Scholarly Work category 2017 Prose Awards Honorable Mention, Media & Cultural Studies Over the last 75 years, superheroes have been portrayed most often as male, heterosexual, white, and able-bodied. Today, a time when many of these characters are billion-dollar global commodities, there are more female superheroes, more queer superheroes, more superheroes of color, and more disabled superheroes--but not many more. Superwomen investigates how and why female superhero characters have become more numerous but are still not-at-all close to parity with their male counterparts; how and why they have become a flashpoint for struggles over gender, sexuality, race, and disability; what has changed over time and why in terms of how these characters have been written, drawn, marketed, purchased, read, and reacted to; and how and why representations of superheroes matter, particularly to historically underrepresented and stereotyped groups. Specifically, the book explores the production, representations, and receptions of prominent transmedia female superheroes from their creation to the present: Wonder Woman; Batgirl and Oracle; Ms. Marvel and Captain Marvel; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Star Wars' Padmé Amidala, Leia Organa, Jaina Solo, and Rey; and X-Men's Jean Grey, Storm, Kitty Pryde, Rogue, and Mystique. It analyzes their changing portrayals in comics, novels, television shows, and films, as well as how cultural narratives of gender have been negotiated through female superheroes by creators, consumers, and parent companies over the last several decades.

This book examines the rise and fall of feminism in the public imagination in the last twenty years, and explains why 'feminism failed me' has become the catch-cry of a generation. Today many women turn their back on feminism because they feel betrayed by the promises of feminism. Yet during the 1980s the popular ideal of the 'Superwoman' offered a source of empowerment and pride for women and equality with men - even 'having it all' - seemed possible. Through a close reading of popular culture sources, this book shows how women's engagement with feminism has shifted over time, and considers its future as a social movement.

Superwomen are around us every day. They are strong, willing, and able to achieve goals and do whatever is necessary to take care of themselves and their families. Still, superwomen often face seemingly insurmountable challenges. Rose Maries words are especially relevant now. Sexual harassment is not a privilege given to men in business or anywhere else. Do not believe you are alone. Speak out. Be brave. No job is worth hiding it. Rose Marie Ray, who has been mentoring other superwomen for years, shares an upbeat guidebook that leads women to both survive and thrive beyond the tough choices they must make while juggling family, careers, and personal needs. Through uplifting personal stories that detail how she overcame her own trials and tribulations that included discrimination and sexual harassment and took brave leaps of faith, Ray provides inspiration to all women that they can do the same by setting expectations and goals, building self-confidence, and recognizing pitfalls before they occur. Included are references, reviews, and quotes that address specific challenges women face. SuperWomen Do IT Less Or a Helluva Lot Better! shares time-tested guidance and positive reinforcement for women of all ages striving to be the best they can in both their professional and personal lives.

Whatever their grading, Super Woman or Slut, Jilly submits all women to remorseless scrutiny. In public and private, home, office or bed, none escapes her beady eye- from debs to divorcees, models to maiden aunts, tarts to Tory ladies, this is Jilly Cooper's brilliantly funny guide to the female sex.

Discover your own superpowers, and be the hero you were meant to be! Do you suffer from depression, anxiety, or trauma? Have you experienced sexism, marginalization, or even sexual assault? If so, each day can feel like a battle. But you do have the strength within you to rise above life’s challenges. Using a unique blend of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and “superhero therapy,” this one-of-a-kind guide will help you get started. In Super-Women, you’ll find tools to help you explore and process painful experiences, accept difficult thoughts and feelings, and use mindfulness and self-compassion to tap into your own unique superpowers. Alongside seven other heroic women, you’ll learn how to re-write your “origin story” and find compassionate tips and strategies to help you define your own heroic purpose. Joining you will be notable women from all around the world, who’ve submitted their stories and words of encouragement. These women include writers, such as Anne Wheaton, Felicia Day, and Jane Espenson; actors such as Chase Masterson and Ruth Connell; and comedians, activists, and other women who like you understand first-hand how difficult—yet empowering—it can be to be female in a patriarchal society. So, if you’re ready to rise from the ashes and join the leagues of super-women everywhere, read this book. You may discover powers you never even knew you had!

A powerful and inspiring tribute to the joy, athleticism, strength, diversity, and artistry of women in sports. Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the prestigious Women's Sports Foundation, SUPERWOMEN brings together 100 outstanding champion athletes, from Olympic medalists and hopefuls to X-Gamers and competitors in the Special Olympics. Included are sports superstars such as Chris Evert, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Annika Sorenstam, Picabo Street, Bonnie Blair, Dara Torres, Sarah Hughes, and Anita DeFrantz. Also included are less recognizable, but equally fascinating, athletes such as Loretta Claiborne, a marathoner born with mental and physical handicaps; Michelle Wie, a 13-year-old golf phenom; and the remarkable Aimee Mullins, who with prosthetic legs ran track in college and broke records in the Paralympic Games. These extraordinary women, beautifully photographed by Jodi Buren, offer their own stories of triumph, courage, and determination- allowing us a glimpse at the personalities and spirit behind the long lists of athletic achievements.