4.13.2009

“We cannot solve life's problems except by solving them.” -M. Scott Peck

Which means, you're invited! To a revolution of sorts.

I imagine most of us have had the experience of reading a fashion magazine and feeling a little less confident about ourselves after about 3 minutes. I know that whenever I read, rather look, at those magazines I feel those dumb stereotypes closing in tight around me. The false and impossible notions that I should somehow, in some way, become a size 2, that I should have perfect teeth and somehow be able to afford the latest and most expensive fashions. In this way, it is reinforced to me that this is what womanhood is. It's not though. It makes me so mad that people are telling us this, and that at 25, for all the smarts I may possess, I am still lessened as a woman by perusing through a fashion magazine. I was thinking about this while in line at the grocery store the other day, when an idea came to me. What if I could write notes to all the girls and women reading those magazines, telling them what I appreciate about them, what makes them beautiful and wonderful, and what if that person believed what was written and put down the magazine, or at least felt more empowered. And then I thought, what if all sorts of people were writing little notes for other women.

And so I propose an action, for men and women alike. To join us in the revolution, think of an empowering story about womanhood. It can be a time you felt empowered as a woman, as a mother, as a wife, as a human being. Write a vignette about an empowered or strong woman that you know. Write about why you love being a woman. Write the story (it can be as short or long as you like) as a comment or email (rippinsweet@gmail.com) and we will print them off and put them in fashion magazines as guerilla inserts all across the valley.

Tell your friends, pass it on, use it as a young women's activity, announce it in Relief Society, go out and do it yourself. I get so excited just thinking about all of us not simply accepting what we are told to be, but being who we were meant to be. I think this is a small way of doing that.

For what is done or learned by one class of women, becomes, by virtue of their common womanhood, the property of all women." - Elizabeth Blackwell

9 comments:

Sofia D. Hoiland said...

WOW! Yes! I will come up with something, but also, I would like to volunteer to hit up the Portland metro area team. How does one guerilla inspire in a store or public place?...

joojierose said...

this is the best thing i have heard of in a long time! yes! i wish we could also make billboards out of these letters to plaster over the sickly women painted 20 stories high on buildings in soho.

this is not beautiful!!!

thanks so much for initiating this! i will write a pieces shortly. and i agree with sofia, i'd like to guerilla attack new york city - or at least a part of it, since there is more inundation of narrow notions of beauty here than anywhere i've ever been.

ashmae said...

Anyone is welcome to copy and paste this post to their blog and start the trend in your own city. It's so simple! Woo hoo!

shelly said...

What a great idea, Ashley! I'd like an opportunity like this to jump-start my brain this week. As I tell you often, you're inspiring! YOU make such a difference. Your idea is already spreading from Utah, to Portland, to New York! World -- Ashley Christensen is making you a better place:)

Unknown said...

hmmm... I love their fashion, exercise, and dieting advice. Frankly, I appreciate knowing what is in and out of style, and having the motivation to stay thin!!!

Caitlin Carroll said...

I'm glad you had more positive comments than me. And I quote from a certain commenter named Naomi who always comments mean things on my blog but I have honestly no idea who she is: "Worst "revolution" ever". I like our revolution. And I'm glad Sofia, Julianne, and Shelly agree!

ellie lou said...

ack! i can't stand how much i love this!
pure brilliance.

Joseph said...

I'm in.

Ann Marie said...

i know i'm a little late, BUT i'm totally going to do this! such a great idea!

AND CJ and I lived in Portland for a bit...LOVED it, and still miss it very, very much. hoping you find the perfect job there.

-ann whittaker