Tracey Welson-Rossman, our founder/CEO at TechGirlz, cofounder of Women In Technology Summit, and the CMO of Chariot Solutions, talks about the change she sees in the film industry and society celebrating women as powerful and empowered characters! These characters and women leaders in the real world are exactly what our middle school aged TechGirlz deserve to see more of, look up to, and inspire them to create their own story of greatness! The full article was originally published online at Forbes.com, in the Women @ Forbes section.
Lately, there has been an abundance of films — from Disney’s Brave, Frozen and Moanna through to sci-fi films like Arrival and Rogue One or historical treatments such as Hidden Figures — that celebrate women as powerful and empowered characters. I believe this is a symptom of that same change happening in society at large.
While there is still much ground to cover, there have been reassuring signs of progress: The Women’s March movement that began when people said they would not be complacent in the face of disrespect, or when stories of sexual harassment at technology companies like Uber led to wide-ranging outcry and protests. These are important examples because they are reactions from men and women alike.
Like Kevin Costner’s character in Hidden Figures proclaiming that he doesn’t care about race or gender, only results. Or the men in Wonder Woman, who begin to follow and believe in her after she performs the impossible. Men are allies.
And now, finally, we have the first female director to helm a superhero franchise movie (Wonder Woman), Patty Jenkins.
So in this spirit, I chose to take heart from the powerful gathering of women that watched the movie with me. Similarly, I embrace a recent report showing female technology CEOs earn more than their male counterparts, even though there are still not enough women in the C-suite. I am inspired by more stories and studies documenting the rising support for young women on the path to careers in STEM.
And above all, I revel in the fact that like Wonder Woman, we no longer have to make choices — women can be smart, strong and beautiful. In that way, I hope that the female-centered movies of today are a shining example of what is.
