I AM not the MEdia's March Newsletter

Celebrating Women’s History Month! .

VOL.1, ISSUE 2 | MARCH 2013 .

WHAT’S INSIDE TEEN TALK: WOMEN HATING MEDIA ARTICLE INTERVIEW WITHFORMER MISS NORTH CAROLINA AND WOMEN’S LEADER: NADIA S. MOFFETT

Women Hating Media

By Kain X.

from the 50's and 70's. They make all three meals of the day, keep the house clean, and always welcome the man home after a long day of work. The media shows men as strong, smart and hard working while women are told to look good and stay lawful towards men.

Most commercials directed towards women on TV are for makeup or cleaning supplies. Women are often depicted as short-minded and insecure without a man’s compliments. They are often never taken seriously by men, mocked and ridiculed on TV and, sometimes, even in the real world.

In the years of me watching TV I have noticed some differences in the way men and women are depicted. For instance, women are shown as servants to men in classic black and white shows

from the 50's and 70's. They make all three meals of the day, keep the house clean, and always welcome the man home after a long day of work. The media shows men as strong, smart and hard working while women are told to look good and stay lawful towards men. Most commercials directed towards women on TV are for makeup or cleaning supplies. Women are often depicted as short-minded and insecure without a man’s compliments. They are often never taken seriously by men, mocked and ridiculed on TV and, sometimes, even in the real world.

Some, not all, men find women that want a place in the world to be hysterical or delusional. Most librarians were men until the late 60's and now, most of them are women. Things are changing in

Some, not all, men find women that want a place in the world to be hysterical or delusional. Most librarians were men until the late 60's and now, most of them are women. Things are changing in other fields, too. Women

can succeed in anything and they are proving it by going to college and being successful with jobs like mayor, lawyer, police officer, soldier, entrepreneur and maybe one day even president.

Women have been and are working really hard for the right to be treated equally and sometimes they don't get the respect they deserve. I guess people just don't realize that without women there would be no men, there would be nothing. Women are mothers and sisters and wives, but they are also individuals and they have dreams and they can and will accomplish them.

(Picture Credit: Katrina Silvana at www.flickr.com)

can succeed in anything and they are proving it by going to college and being successful with jobs like mayor, lawyer, police officer, soldier, entrepreneur and maybe one day even president.

Women have been and are working really hard for the right to Today, be treated compared equally and to 1975 when less than 47 percent sometimes they don't get the71 percent do. Even in the low of women worked, respect they deserve. I guess percentages that that were working, they were limited to people just don't realize without there would be no jobs women such as maids, seamstresses, or other jobs that men, there would be nothing. were deemed “appropriate for women.” Today, Women are mothers and sisters women with without children not only work and wives, but they and are also individuals dreams outsideand of they the have home, but hold a wider variety of and they can and will accomplish jobs, some even leading in business, technology and them.

science fields. Back then, these jobs would be considered jobs “fit for a man.”

According to Mayo Clinic, girls’ biggest challenge with their body image stems from the pressure to be physically attractive. If not properly attended to, girls will begin to develop mental health issues such as low self-esteem, depression and eating disorders. A negative body image manifests from various areas such as peer pressure, media images that magnify a thin female body and simply being around a mother figure who is constantly concerned with her own body. So what can you do? Figure out what makes you beautiful, separate what the world calls beautiful from your definition and love yourself‌ FLAWS AND ALL!

APPLICATIONS FOR THE TEEN CIRCUIT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH ONLINE! The Teen Circuit Program is for teens between the ages 13 and 18. It is a one year leadership program for teens that empowers them to make a difference in our community while giving them opportunities to make a difference with our organization.

OUR POWER BEYOND NOW PROGRAM WITH CHARLOTTE FAMILY HOUSING LAUNCHES MARCH 26!

These programs are only offered for teens between the ages 13 and 18 in Charlotte Family Housing.

An Interview with Nadia Shirin Moffett

Distance in our modern world is no longer an impediment for conversation. Unable to schedule a face-to-face interview just means that another form of communication needs to take place. Nadia Shirin Moffett, an active leader in the community, travels all over the state to spread her mission.

We found the time, and we found the solution-Skype. We tuned up our cameras and tested our sound, and then there we were. Her first words were, “You’re beautiful.” What a compliment to get from a former pageant queen and a remarkably beautiful woman. And that’s where

beautiful.” What a compliment to get from a former pageant queen and a remarkably beautiful woman. And that’s where our conversation started.

I had to begin by asking her about her experience as Miss North Carolina USA. Though she was already working towards her leadership role at that time, it is her crowning that really boosted her up into the spotlight, opened up doors for her and provided support for her foundation. When I asked her about her experience, she said, it seemed like it was so far in the past and she didn’t think about it much anymore. She took a moment to rewind and she went on to share that experience. She had never really planned to be a pageant queen.

Even when she was a little girl, she didn’t pay much mind to beauty pageants on TV. Entering the pageant was something she did on impulse.

Knowing that there were benefits to holding the title, she went online and applied. The women she was competing against had been doing beauty competitions for years; Ms. Nadia had no previous experience.

Though she did not win the crown the first time around, she went and competed a second time and won. “All the doors that opened for me, that was the reward.” She also received a full scholarship for her Masters Degree from High Point University and loads of shoes and much more to add to her attire. During her time as Miss North Carolina USA 2010, she was able to meet many people, some who would ultimately assist her in her goal of strengthening her non-profit organization, The Queen’s Foundation.

When asked what the best thing was about competing in the Miss USA 2010 pageant, which she prepped for three weeks in Las Vegas, she said, “Losing.” Being around thin, fit,

our conversation started.

I had to begin by asking her about her experience as Miss North Carolina USA. Though

well-accomplished women that had all worked to be at their best in every way was somewhat of a false environment. It had

By Mothermoon

As Miss North Carolina USA 2010 and Founder and Executive Director of The Queen’s Foundation, Inc, a member of Toastmasters International, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a former Leadership Path Manager for American Express, Ms. Nadia is out to motivate and inspire. She earned her Bachelors in Business Marketing at The University of North Carolina Greensboro and is currently working on attaining her Masters in Nonprofit Management at High Point University.

She was recently recognized one of the Triad Business Journal's 40 Leaders Under Forty.

well-accomplished women that had all worked to be at their best in every way was somewhat of a false environment. It had completely changed her own selfperception. “I was normally a size 4 or 5 before ever training for Miss NC USA or Miss USA”... “We worked out for hours each day for 5 months until I got to a size 0.” When she saw her relatives and friends after weeks of being around size 0 beauty queens, she said they all looked like they had gained weight, lots of weight. But they had not gained weight; it was her perception that had changed.

She went on to say, that it was one of the most competitive environments ever.

Some women had been prepping for that for a long time, almost their entire lives.

Though she enjoyed the recognition and the rewards; she would never do it again.

Not because it was not a challenging and rewarding experience, but that part of her life was complete. After the pageant was over, she went back home and refocused her attention on her foundation.

The foundation aims to teach young girls from the age of 10 and above to become servant leaders in their communities. It’s not just giving them the opportunities to prosper, it’s teaching them how to do it for themselves. “So, tell me more about The Queen’s Foundation. How do girls become queens in life? And what is a servant leader?” I asked. “We teach them accountability,” she answered, “They have to be accountable for their actions.” Besides teaching them how to carry themselves and use the resources in their community, the foundation also teaches them how to use their voice and how to serve others, this eventually will grant them leadership roles in society. The programs are designed for girls who are at-risk youths or/and show academic talent but have limited opportunities. The programs help them explore their full potential and provide mentorship along the way..

Nadia said, “A servant leader is someone who serves others through leadership and through their success. Teaching girls servant leadership is our way of

(Cont…) Ms. Nadia said, “A servant leader is someone who serves others through leadership and through their success. Teaching girls servant leadership is our way of investing in girls that invest in their communities.” This is definitely going to keep the giving going.

Non-profit organizations like these are what our world needs most.

Transforming the way our children see the world and care for the world and each other will ultimately transform the world into a more compassionate place. One of the young women who participated in the foundation’s programs is on her way to accomplishing her dream of becoming an Environmental Scientist. After a short self-introduction video she perfected in the program, she was able she was able to network with a science professional and attain a two-week, all expenses paid trip to Philadelphia to participate in a summer camp for students wanting to explore careers in science and the environment, sponsored by Bayer Crop Science, one of The Queen’s Foundation’s sponsors. She is now on her way to gaining her degree in Environmental Science and looks to secure a college internship with the company introduced to her by The Queen’s Foundation.

When I asked Ms. Nadia, “If you could forewarn young girls about one thing in life, what would that be?” In sum she said, “Always put your best face forward.” In a sexualized society, where women are judged on their looks, we must address the barriers head on and overcome them. She did not mean, change your looks, get surgery or anything of that extreme, but simply “Take pride in yourself everyday. Present yourself to the world as best as possible” Women are out there making it and changing the world. Ms. Nadia Shirin Moffett is one of our upholding leaders. Clearing the path has not been

that easy; it has been a collaboration effort by generations of women, but we are getting there. “You have to be your best

Nadia Shirin Moffett motivating young female participants of The Queen’s Foundation

that easy; it has been a collaboration effort by generations of women, but we are getting there. “You have to be your best in every sense,” said Ms. Nadia, “no matter what comes your way”. “Be like a machine; keep going.” It takes a strong leader to say that and we can take some wisdom from her words. Life is a challenge. What comes our way may not always be expected, but like a machine, a car, or simply a strong human being, we must keep going. As Ponca Chief White Eagle once said, “Go forward with courage. When you are in doubt, be still, and wait; when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage. So long as mists envelop you, be still; be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists-- as it surely will. Then act with courage.” Be courageous and keep going.

MISS REPRESENTATION IS MORE THAN JUST A FILM, IT IS AN ORGANIZATION EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH MEDIA LITERACY! For those of you that have not had the chance to view the film, MISS Representation, you are missing out on a powerful message! The documentary is available on Netflix, also check the website: www.missrepresentation.org to see if there is a screening in your area!

Many people do not know that MISS Representation is also an organization that is focused on empowering young women through media literacy. The organization is currently working on a new documentary that will release in 2014, The Mask You Live In, which actually focuses on the depiction of masculinity in the media.

In a world that solely focuses on appearance, it’s a struggle for women to separate themselves from the stress of being beautiful. A lot of women become so consumed with how the world views them that it’s almost impossible to be caught without our “face” on. Have you ever just sat down and thought about what makes you beautiful? I AM not the MEdia will be presenting a challenge that will empower women of ALL ages to embrace their natural beauty and display their internal confidence. This challenge will begin on March 4 th and will allow women to post a picture on Facebook and/or Instagram of themselves with NO make-up, tagging @IAMNotTheMEdia and hash-tagging #NakedFaces. Under each picture provide a statement about what makes you beautiful. The woman who has the most likes by March 18th will win a photo shoot, a spread in our I AM not the MEdia Calendar, and a PRO-ME t-shirt and bag. To increase your chances of winning, IAM not the MEdia encourages you to call on their friends to like their picture.

PROGRAMS THAT EMPOWER YOUNG WOMEN I AM not the MEdia offers many programs that focus on inspiring teen girls to embrace their individuality while building self esteem. Below is a list of programs that we offer that empower young women through media literacy. To book I AM not the MEdia, Inc. to do a program with your teen group, visit our website at www.iamnotthemedia.org or send us an email request at mail@iamnotthemedia.org.

MIS. HIP HOP This program looks at the issue of misogyny in hip hop music and its influence on young women. Teens will look at lyrics and music video footage while engaging into meaningful discussion. The MIS. Hip Hop program is catered towards older teens between the ages 15 and 18.

Cover Creations Cover Creations is a program that sheds light on the impact that magazines have on self esteem and body image. Teens will explore the augmented reality of beauty depicted in ads. By creating their own magazine cover, teens will re-define beauty for themselves!

My Mirror A program that addresses issues with self image and self acceptance. Through an emotional and intimate experience, teens will face their flaws and REFLECT on their inner beauty. This program is catered towards girls and works best in small groups with less than 15 participants.