Media's View On Women's Suffrage

During the early 1900s Women’s Suffrage movement women struggle for the right to vote throughout the United States. They could not go a day without seeing it on the news or on the streets. Media throughout many years has demonstrated this historical event. Disney’s “Mary Poppins” and “Iron Jawed Angels” are two known movies that have displayed Women’s Suffrage in similar and different manners.

“Mary Poppins” and “Iron Jawed Angels” both clearly define the basics of the Women’s Suffrage movement. The two movies do a rather well job, either through singing or talking, about what women want. The two suffragettes are concerned for their gender and fight for equal rights among women. Mrs. Banks is similar to Emily, the senator’s wife in “Iron Jawed Angels,” because they both disguise their involvement in women’s rights to prevent embarrassment among their husbands.

Though these two movies bring the attention of Women’s Suffrage to the viewers, they are not represented the same way. For instance, there is a strong difference between the two main feminists, Mrs. Banks and Alice Paul. In “Mary Poppins”, Women’s Suffrage is more Social Women’s Club than an actual activism. Mrs. Banks represents a passive feminist because she actually plays the role of a housewife over voicing her opinion. Once Mr. Banks is home, she hides any evidence that might reveal her being a suffragette. Then there is Alice Paul who is definitely the opposite. She is very aggressive with the matter and will stop at absolutely nothing until accomplished. She is extremely independent. Being a Disney film, Mrs. Banks approach about Women’s Suffrage comes off more humorous than serious by running around the home with the housemaids singing “Sister Suffragette.” On the other hand, “Iron Jawed Angels” demonstrates the seriousness of the harm, torture, and treatment the women got for standing up for their beliefs. By the end of “Mary Poppins,” Mrs. Banks has let go of being a suffragette but on the other hand, Alice Paul still stands strong and stays proud of being a suffragette.

These two suffragettes, Mrs. Banks and Alice Paul, demonstrate readings from the class textbooks. The reading assignment, from Fight Like a Girl’s article “Fight Like a Girl”, educates the reader about how to become an active activist. The material defines activism as “the practice of vigorous action or involvement as a means of achieving political or other goals, by protest” (Seely, Megan). This definition clearly defines Mrs. Banks and Alice Paul. Mrs. Banks’ activism touched her housemaids, whereas Alice Paul’s activism touched the hearts of many women all over the country. The reading goes into detail about examples of activism, which were represented in both of the movies. Their activisms involved communicating with others and gathering information, making a stand or public set up, organizing “human billboards”, speak outs, and, in “Iron Jawed Angels”, a march. Women’s Suffrage was a crucial event in the countries history and even though many believe it was resolved, equality is still an issue in today’s society.

Seely, Megan. Fight Like a Girl: Fight Like a Girl. New York: New York, 2007. Print.

Introduction Letter

My name is Seabury Stoneburner and I am from Jacksonville, FL. I will admit that huge influence on me attending UCF was the fact that Disney World is just around the corner. I am a senior, majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies, in hopes to proceed to the culinary arts. With in my major, I am focusing on Humanities and Health with a minor in Biology. I hope to pursue my culinary career in New York City. My main focus within the culinary arts is the pastry department. I throughly enjoy baking and decorating cakes and cupcakes.

I am the youngest of four girls in my family so feminism has always been present in my life. I was interested in taking this course because I thought it would be interesting. I have had a few people express to me their experience in this class and I was intrigued. I have never had any personal experience with a feminism class and I felt that being a woman, it is about time I took a class in this subject.

My current idea of feminism is that women should have the same rights as men. This, to me, is common sense. I personally believe that there should be no differences between genders. If I really needed to reach out and pick one difference, I would have to say women can handle pain better than men (if you catch my drift). I do not believe gender is that important in life because every person should be treated equally no matter what gender, race, or religion they are.

The greatest influences to me on my understanding of how men and women behave would probably be my parents. Their behavior is what I grew up with and has been a very large influence in my life. The perfect family picture of husband, wife, and kids is pretty much the image I have in my mind, to an extent. I believe that the wife does not need to be a house wife and has the freedom to pursue any career she wishes to pursue.

I personally would not change a single thing about my gender. Not to be blunt, but quite frankly, I enjoy having polite gentlemen holding the door open for me or carrying heavy packages. When you come across the right man who treats you respectively, it is pleasant. Unfortunately, I feel as though as the years go by, the charm in this act is fading.

I am rather excited to be in this class this semester. I am honestly not too aware of any sort of feminism acts from the past and am eager to learn. It was never brought to my attention, till yesterday, that a holiday dedicated to a woman still does not exist. I do find that rather shocking because there have been many great women in the past with wonderful accomplishments. I hope that by the end of this semester, I have been enlightened by the idea and the events of feminism.

I have read the syllabus and agree to the terms of the course.