After seeing the film Miss Representation, our PR and Digital Media Specialist, Erin, was left feeling inspired, conflicted and contemplating a break up with her newest guilty pleasure – the Kardashians.

miss representation – a film

Recently, our CEO Christine Day introduced a film at a local theatre called Miss Representation. The film, written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, explores the media’s misrepresentations of women and how those images impact women’s ability to achieve leadership positions. This, of course, sparked a ton of conversation around our office (an office that is, might I add, heavily influenced by females).

how do women show up in my life?

After watching the movie, I was inspired to critically evaluate my own media consumption habits. How are women showing up in my favourite television shows, movies and magazines? Are they being represented in a way that is consistent with my core values? If not, should I reconsider what I watch and read? …AKA do I have to give up my fascination with reality TV in order to be an authentic stand for women in media?

finding a happy-medium

My list of questions grew longer after each conversation I had and I became more and more conflicted. What I did discover, was that I am more inspired by authentic images of woman accomplishing amazing things – like a headstand or PB – than I am by too-thin runway models. There’s a difference between the people I choose to look up to versus what I’m entertained by. Making this simple distinction helped me define where I stood.

representin’ the miss

I realized that as long as I’m educated about the fact that the portrayal of women in the media can be a far cry from reality, than indulging in my guilty pleasures (like an US Weekly for example) isn’t the worst thing I can do. My biggest takeaway: educate and inspire the people around me to be able to make these same types of distinctions.

Interested in seeing the film? Find a screening near you! Side note: some of us here at the Store Support Centre are headed to see Friends With Kids (written and directed by Jennifer Westfeldt) tomorrow night. Good company, movie popcorn and a female writer/director – we like it.

The more the merrier – join us! Friday March 23 2012 | Cineplex Odeon, Vancouver, BC | 5:20PM

My sisters and I share the same parents but we have our own bodies. I may be able to get into the splits and hold a gnarly headstand, but when it comes to endurance activities, all three of my sisters can pass me in a heartbeat. My friend Jessica commented while I was feeling left behind in the dust during a family hike that "the girls are just built differently."

Our bodies shape the type athletes that we become. Athletes come in all shapes and sizes too. Look at gymnast Shawn Johnson and basketball player Yao Ming.

Think of your body as a unique gift that is designed to perform like none other. How would you start loving your body if you stopped comparing it to others? What image you would have of yourself if mirrors did not exist and we based our image off of how we felt inside? After a sweaty hike or a killer dance class my body reaches a potential so high I could flash the sky at the top of a mountain...

Love your body and the possibilities it has for reaching your highest physical potential.