America’s Next Top Feminist

Where’s this generation’s Gloria Steinem? The New York Times asked the question this month, and we still haven’t heard an acceptable answer. Things have changed, sure. But in this era of Planned Parenthood defunding, mandatory ultrasounds, Rush Limbaugh gender slurs, and worse, doesn’t the feminist movement need a spokeswoman just...

By Ciara LaVelle

March 29, 2012

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Where’s this generation’s Gloria Steinem? The New York Times asked the question this month, and we still haven’t heard an acceptable answer. Things have changed, sure. But in this era of Planned Parenthood defunding, mandatory ultrasounds, Rush Limbaugh gender slurs, and worse, doesn’t the feminist movement need a spokeswoman just as much now as it did back in the day? Jennifer Siebel Newsom isn’t trying out for the role, but she hopes her documentary, Miss Representation, helps create the next loud, proud feminist voice. Along with a wide range of celebrities — Rosario Dawson, Rachel Maddow, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, and, yes, the one and only Gloria Steinem — Newsom explores the many ways in which news broadcasts and other media fuck things up for girls too young to know it’s wrong. If that sounds depressing, well, it is. But it’s also a call to action that’ll leave you fired up and ready to fight. Well, unless you hate women, in which case you better be nowhere near PAX Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m., lest you encounter an audience full of lady lovers who aren’t having any of your religious objections to birth-control coverage under national health insurance.
Sat., March 31, 6 p.m.; Sun., April 1, 6 p.m., 2012

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Ciara LaVelle is New Times' former arts and culture editor. She earned her BS in journalism at Boston University and moved to Florida in 2004. She joined New Times' staff in 2011.

Contact: Ciara LaVelle

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