Mrs M
yoda76INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
March 8th 2007 01:33
Today is International Women's Day, and it seemed only fair to make mention of two women that I have admired for a very long time.
It was in my teens that Marilyn Monroe and Janis Joplin first captured my imagination. Although two very different women, both had a profound impact on their respective art forms, on women, and the world in general.
One defined classic beauty and visually mesmerized her world – dominating the silver screen and putting a glint in the eye of The American President. The other’s siren song enchanted us with her heartfelt wails of sorrow – the blues were never a better fit. Both were misunderstood and neither was given the credit that they deserved, and their resulting lack of self-esteem led to both their untimely demises.
And that is precisely the point of International Women’s Day, to recognize the otherwise unsung heroes who make a valuable contribution to a society and to industries still largely dominated by men.
Tragically, Marilyn and Janis won’t ever know what lasting impact their lives and art have made upon the world and their respective industries. Marilyn and The Pearl have become lasting cultural icons.
In the words of another songstress, sometimes ‘you don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone’ – make use of International Women’s Day, and give credit where credit is due. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
It was in my teens that Marilyn Monroe and Janis Joplin first captured my imagination. Although two very different women, both had a profound impact on their respective art forms, on women, and the world in general.
One defined classic beauty and visually mesmerized her world – dominating the silver screen and putting a glint in the eye of The American President. The other’s siren song enchanted us with her heartfelt wails of sorrow – the blues were never a better fit. Both were misunderstood and neither was given the credit that they deserved, and their resulting lack of self-esteem led to both their untimely demises.
And that is precisely the point of International Women’s Day, to recognize the otherwise unsung heroes who make a valuable contribution to a society and to industries still largely dominated by men.
Tragically, Marilyn and Janis won’t ever know what lasting impact their lives and art have made upon the world and their respective industries. Marilyn and The Pearl have become lasting cultural icons.
In the words of another songstress, sometimes ‘you don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone’ – make use of International Women’s Day, and give credit where credit is due. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
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Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
You have single-handedly had a bigger impact on my life than both of these women put together.
Happy IWD!
xo
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
For me, approve or disapprove, I would select Germaine Greer and Maggie Thatcher.
Love and stuff,
katyzzz
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Thank you
Hi kaytzzz,
What is it about these two women that you like?
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Hello Mrs M...
I admire many women.
I admire Woman. Full stop.
But...if I had to name one...then my mother...
My first female influence.
She would say, guide.
Be well Mrs M.
Dusk
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Mothers...the greatest unsung heroes.
And yes I agree with you. I admire all women. Including Leia - but I ain't wearing "that" costume, ya hear yoda?
Dusk, I admire you for wearing it.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Scholia
Hildegarde of Bingen
The Trinh Sisters
Xue Dao / hsueh tao
Vittoria Colonna
Hypatia
Madame Stael
Mary Wollonstonecraft
Mira Bai
Marie Curie
Rachel Carson
Artemisia of Caria
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Marilyn and particularly Janis are good examples. Janis didn't exactly walk the red carpet when she was around.
I think the point here is to act, no? I don't need to cry names from the rooftops for me to let the women in my life know that they are appreciated, loved and admired.
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
They're celebrated.
I'm a celebrity in my household!
....even without the costume.
But my light sabre helps.
Something makes me think Mrs M is worth it.
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Something makes me think Mrs M is worth it.
I didn't say I wouldn't or never have - just that I didn't necessarily HAVE to ;o)
As for Mrs M with a lightsaber - I think I'd be scared to come home at night!
A Happy IWD to you, Lady Dusk.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Janis with me and Bobby McGee was a fun time that was had by all, untiol the next morning....As for Marilyn I love Bus Stop, Some Liek It Hot, Niagra and Misfits but Jayne Mansfield influenced me more...
Madame Curie and Mother Theresa more than most inspire this inadequate male...
Happy Womens Day (sounds like a magazine I once saw) Miss M
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
My grandmother was the most influencial woman in my life....even though she has been gone nearly a decade I still listen to her words. I guess the angels needed someone to look after them so they called upon her...a job most worthy for such a unique person.....
*cheers ladies*
it`s a day of womanly celebration, let`s paint the town red....just make sure you are home to cook the kids dinner, bath them, get them ready for school tomorrow, make hubby`s lunch, feed the cat, take out the trash.....don`t forget to have fun now, you hear?
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I'm pretty sure International Women's Day is there to celebrate all women, well known or otherwise. We celebrate solidarity, not competition amongst ourselves. I think that defeats the purpose.
All the women you mentioned deserve their kudos just as much as I think Marilyn and Janis deserve theirs.
Dusk, yoda,
Now a lightsaber I would parade around with
Hi JohnDoe,
I think you hit the nail on the head with that one.
Hi Ash,
Relationships with grandmothers certainly are special. I never knew my grandmothers but there was a little old lady that lived next door and she more than made up for that. She was so sweet.
I'll remember to have fun today Ash. Can I pick some upfrom the supermarket?
Thanks everyone for your visit and comments.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by pegasus
Poker Addict
Happy Women's Day to you!
I'm inspired by Condi Rice's steadfastness
Hillary Clinton's determination
Maggie Thatcher's Iron Will
Princess Diana's Golden Heart
Mother Theresa's selflessness
Oprah's good deeds
Mrs M's Kindness
Ah, the list is endless
xoxo,
Peg
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Quite a list you've put me in. Thank you.
Hope you had a fabulous women's day.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
..I missed it ..too busy working 9 till 9 ... pursuing a passion. This is a great way to have a party isn't it ...I'll have an extra wine tonight and celebrate!
... I'm really glad we were given the ability to vote and work in the war factories... however, I'd still rather be on the farm sometimes ... reading, mending and loving ... OKay, okay, maybe strumming my guitar and singing a bit too ...
Dusk's Lightsaber? ((funny)) It sure does help... I'll part with the costume, but I want the Bagel-bun, ear-muff hairstyle, okay? *lol*
Seriously, I loved your choices and Marie Curie : otherwise, there were only two women of conseuqence in the Lord of The Rings and I loved them both too. Both Elves (of sorts) their strength lay in their powerful femininity and their ability to wield it ... great role models to young women everywhere ...
Loved the post...
Lilla~
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
Good stuff!
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Hi Lilla (LL)....have you see 'SpaceBalls'...Mel Brooks 'tribute' to 'Star Wars'?
Well....Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) had a really cool pair of headphones and yep, they looked like
Yes. I'm tragic.
Marie Curie was my girlhood Icon!
(I studied physics and chemistry on my way to being an Astro-Physicist. How I ended up with a law degree is a mystery. Oh yeah. Maths and I don't equate.)
Queen Galadriel and Arwen Undomiel...sigh... absolutely....although I prefer how Arwen is depicted in the films...she wasn't quite the major character in the books, like in the films...for instance, the scene where she saves Frodo from the Nazgul, in the book, this was another elf... can't remember his name...and in the books, her bravery stems from the fact that she gave up her immortality to be with Aragorn and not because she was a warrior because Eowyn was the warrior (as shown in the film as well)....and damn I could go on and on...but I won't.
...um...er...hope you're all well.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
That's a good way to be - elf or otherwise
I'm sorry to say that I have never read Lord of the Rings but I have watched the trilogy - once. I can appreciate it, but I never really got into it. Mr M however.... right into it.
Dusk,
You owned a pair of Princess Vespa's earmuffs? You are cracking me up.
Hi Melissa,
No I didn't see it. That's too early in the morning for me. I'm up, but not awake. But that's very cool. Woman captain. I saw a woman on The Catch Up today who built a house. She had to ask for advice but if anyone gave her stick about doing it she didn't bother with them and just went to the next person. I think she has a business She-I-Y.
Thanks for the comments and the visit.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Scholia
and lets not forget women who are literally on the front line like the RAWA - Revolutionary Afghan Women's Association!
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
You are right.
But the other problem that needs addressing is that people like Marilyn and Janis turned to drugs (as many do) to compensate for poor self-esteem and a life that wasn't ideal despite their positive influences through their legacy.
I believe that part of what Mrs M is saying is that in addition to celebrating positive role models, we should also be mindful of those who might need a little support in order to fulfil their potential. If they feel low or useless, rubbing super-achiever role models in their face may not be the most helpful solution.
I want my daughter to grow up knowing that she can be whatever she wants. I want her to see a successful woman and think that the only thing dividing her from that woman is choice. If she wants to achieve something, she can.
There are women the world over making their marks and achieving great things - we also need to remind tomorrow's Wollstonecrafts and Curies that they can achieve great things too.
They just need to believe in themselves.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Yes we should celebrate positive role models - we should celebrate all women. RAWA definitely deserve mention as do the CWA (Country Women's Association). We could go on like this forever.
Yes, both Marilyn and Janis did have drug problems. Marilyn abused prescription drugs and Janis abused heroin. But they did drugs as a form of escape because both were exploited by men and disregarded. And I find it sad that their drug problems overshadow what incredible women they were and wanted to be.
I'll tell you what I learned from reading about these two women. I learned that to be happy, you need to be happy in your own skin. Celebrate yourself. Don't wait for others to celebrate you because that will lead to disappointment. Both Janis and Marilyn didn't have that confidence - they always looked for validation. And they never got it.
I don't want to be like that. Their stories taught me to be a stronger woman.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Scholia
For a female muso as a role model why not Annie Lennox ... brilliant jazz fusion style
For an actress someone like Judy Dench or Helen Mirren ?
And no one's mentioned any of those wonderful women who write in the SF&F genre like Ursula Le Guin or Andre Norton or Leigh Brackett or C.L. Moore !
By the way speaking of writers who knows that Agatha Christie as well as being a writer helped her husband as an active partner in running his archaeological excavations and in developing methodologies for classifying mesopotamian ceramics !
Comment by AnthonyB
Can I celebrate International Men's Day? We'll all drink beer, leave the toilet seats up and put our feet on the coffee tables. Hooray Men's Day !!!!
Thanks for the lovely post. Interesting !
- Anthony
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Wow. I never thought I'd hear Marilyn compared to Paris Hilton - a 'woman' who has basically made a name for herself by doing... well... nothing. And even then not very well.
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Comment by AnthonyB
For today, I'll celebrate women. GIRL POWER !! Women are important friends to have. They're the only ones who will listen to you whine and be concerned when you've been involved in a pub brawl or lost all your dough at Crown.
Women have been an instrumental part of my life and to that, I will raise a glass of Canadian Club ( my favourite, barrel-brewed bourbon ) and chug, chug, chug...
I LOVE WOMEN !!
- Anthony
Comment by Candice
My idol as a girl was Wonder Woman. I was also convinced that my mum was secretly Wonder Woman and I used to spin around waiting to be come old enough for the genes to kick in and turn into Wonder Woman's daughter (I've always had an over active imagination - no wonder I'm working on being a writer now). There should be more female super heroes out there!
Love the new banner BTW.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I found these two women intriguing. You don't agree, that's fine. I'm not here to convince you. I never said that I was all knowing and had the definitive list of who is a 'positive' role model or otherwise.
And I also don't understand why you feel the need to turn this into a competition. This post was just trying to draw attention to the fact that March 8 is International Women's Day so let's celebrate it and celebrate all women.
yoda76,
Now that is interesting about Helen Mirren.
Hi Anthony,
And the women love you too Anthony!
Hi Candice,
Mr M designed the banner. Kind of hits ya like a tonne of bricks.
Yes I always thought there weren't enough female super heroes. I used to do the spinning around thing too. Unfortunately all I accomplished was bumping into furniture much to my mother's chagrin.
Thanks everyone for your visit and your comments.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
12:55am (Sydney time)
...have Yoda and the Paduwans taken over the Bed-i Temple again???
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I thought I was the only looney up at that time.
Paduwan no. 1...without fail...in my bed. She even painted herself a teddy bear that had magical powers to keep the nasties away but sadly found out that said teddy holds no magical powers...just my bed.
Aaaaarrrggghhhhhh!!!!!!!
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
What a wonderful post. I "heart" Janis so much too! Loved Yoda's comment btw!
Mis