Thursday, June 20, 2019

MOTHERLOAD: A FILM ABOUT A WOMAN CYCLIST CREATING FREEDOM FOR HERSELF AND HER FAMILY


MOTHERLOAD TRAILER #2 from Liz Canning on Vimeo.


MOTHERLOAD is a crowdsourced documentary exploring our cultural shift toward isolation and disconnection, how this may affect our future, and whether the cargo bike could be an antidote.

As a new mom of twins, filmmaker Liz Canning is lonely, stressed about the planet’s uncertain future, and missing what made her feel connected, free and alive: her bicycle.

Director's Statement. "[...] It was the California wilderness, and my bicycle, that taught me to trust my instinct and embrace my power. A decade later, when I discovered the cargo bike and watched it revolutionize parenting for so many, I wanted to know more. And, when I learned about how the bicycle empowered women and the poor during the 1890s, MOTHERLOAD seemed destined to be: the same 100-year-old invention that facilitated women's emancipation made me whom I am today.

MOTHERLOAD not only describes how the earliest bicycles facilitated women’s fight for the vote and made the poor mobile, but also shows how 21st century bicycles are empowering mothers, families, communities and advocacy networks all over the world. A central point of the film is that we cannot fight for social justice, climate justice or much of anything unless we first resist the cultural shift toward isolation and disconnection. Bicycles connect people with their own bodies, environments and communities, clarifying and aiding in the protection of what

Director's Bio: Liz’s work has screened internationally, winning awards including a Sundance Special Jury Prize (American Blackout - editor/producer). After graduating from Brown University in Semiotics, Liz worked at San Francisco’s Artists Television Access and Film Arts Foundation while making films. Her award-winning Handmirror/Brushset Included screened internationally, on PBS and at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC (distributed by Art Com). Since 2000, Liz has worked as a professional filmmaker focused on editing and animation for documentaries. Girls Rock! secured theatrical distribution and featured five animated sequences created by Liz and to demonstrate the cultural forces affecting young girls.

All info taken directly from the website or official press release for the film.

RUNNING, TOGETHER: KATY OHREL AND HER DAUGHTER, OLIVIA


Q:  Hi, Katy! You recently shared a photo of you and your young daughter running together by posting it on the Facebook page of the Badass Lady Gang, an online group of  women who run and do other physical/athletic pursuits and who want to share about their running/athletic lives and support one another in matters related to running, but also to being female.   Can you say a little bit about the story behind the photo? What happened right before that photo was taken?

A: I started running about 4 years ago and I've been running with my daughter in the jogger since she was about 6 months old (she just turned 2). She's helped me train for multiple 5ks, a 10 miler, a 17.75,k and two half marathons. This photo was taken on day 1 of marathon training. We did a 3 mile run and then Olivia said "I go run fast like mommy!" I took her out of the jogger and off we went! We ran about a block and she was all smiles. Now it's become tradition that after mommy finishes her run Olivia gets to go for her run too! 

Q: How does your relationship with your daughter factor into her desire to be physically active?  

A: Olivia is a mommy's girl.  She wants to do everything I do.  I work part time as a nurse so, I have a lot of time at home with her. She's sees me running every week.  And she sees that running makes me happy. I think even at such a young age she can tell that being active and playing outside makes you feel good.  I've struggled with body image issues and I'm trying to instill in her that you should focus on being strong and healthy instead of being "skinny." 

Q:  What can parents do to support their daughters to be and stay physically active?  

A:  I think it's really important to lead by example. To show our kids that exercise isn't a punishment and exercise isn't meant as a trade off to eating tons of empty calories and junk that isn't fueling our bodies. Also,  it's important to find what works for them and embrace it.  Olivia may not always want to run, she may decide to do something else and that's okay! I plan to encourage and support her in whatever activities she decides are fun for her . 

Q: What else do you and your daughter enjoy doing together?

A: Olivia and I love to do anything outdoors! We like to take bike rides, go to the park and she loves pushing her bubble mower.  If we're stuck inside, we like to read books, dress up as princesses, and color. 

Monday, June 10, 2019

WOMEN YOU SHOULD KNOW AND SHEHEROES: TWO FANTASTIC FACEBOOK PAGES

There are two Facebook pages whose posts consistently fill me with inspiration.   One is the page of the project called SheHeroes.
In their own words, SheHeroes "empowers young girls of all backgrounds to dream big, explore interests, and passionately pursue non-traditional careers.  Through our online content and video profiles, girls imagine their own potential by engaging with influential stories of exceptional, successful women role models across all fields."  

SheHeroes produces high-quality 6-minute videos which profiles women who are exceptional in their field.  These videos reach thousands of girls and boys online, in classrooms, and in after-school programs. 

In their own words, SheHeroes exists dues to the fact that "girls face many obstacles that can negatively affect their long-term success. [...] studies show that a lack of female role models - in life and in the media - has been proven to negatively impact the health, self-esteem, and future career choices of girls."  Check them out on Facebook!

The second awesome FB page is that of Women You Should Know. WYSK was started by two women in the field of public relations - Cynthia Hornig and Jen Jones - who saw a void in the media landscape and wanted to "give women and girls the coverage, content, visibility and support they deserve through a pioneering social enterprise."  More specifically, they "shine a spotlight on women and girls who are striving, building, and innovating, changing the status quo,  crushing stereotypes, and defying the odds."  They also "cover topics, news and issues that matter to women and girls." Check them out on Facebook!

Thursday, June 06, 2019

THANK YOU, NEW YORK TIMES, FOR COVERING THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP IN A DEEPLY MOVING WAY


Today, I needed to pass some time while my phone was being fixed, so I ran next door to get a NY Times.  It had been months since I read a copy, so it was crazy-fortuitous that I happen to pick up the edition that contained an entire edition devoted to this year's Women's World Cup.  the cover of the section features illustrations of some of the 552 players come from 24 different countries.

Before I go any further, HERE is all the information you need to watch the tournament this weekend.Consider watching a game or two to show your support for these awesome women athletes.Through your viewership,  give them the same attention and respect that you would to the male athletes.

Inside the special edition of The Times are the results of a survey sent to every national team participating in this year's World Cup.. The results reflect the responses of more than 100 players from 17 of the 24 countries competing in France. The Times also sent man players disposable cameras and asked them to "capture their lives as they see them."   So some of those photos are displayed along with snippets from the written survey results.

Here is a sampling of some of the questions asked, along with the answers given by the women:

Q: What does your family think of your job as a professional soccer player?
A:  They think that is it still a complicated dream for a girl to have and that it is still important to have good knowledge and skills, to have more than one string to your bow."
 - Emelyne Laurent, 20, France forward

Q:  Did you ever have to play on boys' teams, or against boys, growing up?
A: "I started playing on the boys' team in grade school because I didn't know there were any girls' teams around me."  - Moon Mire, 27, South Korea Midfielder

Q: About how much money did you make playing soccer this year?
A:  Responses included a range from $0 in Jamaica to $350k in the United States

Q: How many jobs do you have in addition to playing soccer?
A: "Aside from studying, two."  -- Daniela Pardo, 31, Chile Midfielder

Q: What's one thing you always do before a game?
A: "Watch Karina LeBlanc and Hope Solo's highlight tapes and listen to dancehall and hip-hop."
 -- Yazmeen Jamieson, 21, Jamaica Goalkeeper

Q: What's the best part of being a female soccer player?
A:  "We get to meet new friends daily.  And I'm always happy with the ball on my feet."
-- Lebohang Ramalepe, 27, South African Defender

A: "The best part about being a female playing soccer is proving people wrong.  In all aspects of our society it has become habit or trend to underestimate women.  That being said, it feels amazing to silence the nonbelievers."
-- Chanel Hudson-Marks, 21, Jamaica Defender 

Q: What's the hardest part of being a female soccer player?
A: "I think one of the hardest things is being the elite athlete that you are, with very little to no support in your surroundings physically, socially, culturally or financially.  I think that women footballers are the only ones who support other women footballers throughout - Miranda Nild, 22, Thailand Midfielder
A: "Female soccer players get less attention, we hardly get the same treatment they give to male soccer players.  We work very hard but hardly get recognized."
-- Chinaza Uchendu, 21, Nigeria Midfielder

Q:  What's the biggest sacrifice you've made to play soccer?
A:  Moving away from my home, family, friends and country to the other side of the world
A:  Lack of personal time due to group living.
A: To stay hungry so I can save money for my transport to training so that I can play soccer.
A: Leaving my children at home to play.
A: Missing a lot of school.

 P.S. - Want to meet the teams?  HERE you go!