Geena Davis: Making a Positive Difference

Forget "Thelma and Louise". Forget "Commander in Chief". How about when Geena Davis, portraying Dottie Hinson in "A League of Our Own", stretched out her long arm and caught the baseball bare handed? This little cinematic moment impressed me, because it showed a common way people treat each other. Mae Mordabito (Madonna) and Doris Murphy's (Rosie O'Donnell) taunting changed to instant healthy respect upon seeing her expertise. Love the smug look on Geena's face; she is a superb actress. Not all little girls can grow up to have the athletic skills of 6' Geena Davis, but little girls seeing female characters in strong roles will help them know a woman is more than just being chief cook and bottle washer.

Did you know that Geena became proficient in the Swedish language when she lived in Sweden as an exchange student? In addition to being an Academy Award winning actress, as a child she learned to play several musical instruments. Multi-talented, she played the organ at her church. In spite of those accomplishments, her self-esteem suffered due to being much taller than her classmates. Not being tiny and petite, she did not fit the stereotypical role for what little girls should look like. She turned what was viewed as a liability into a positive asset by becoming a model. She had the audacity to pursue an acting career, even though 6' women were not in much demand in Hollywood. What is notable about Ms. Davis is that, as she actively works to make a positive difference regarding female gender roles, she had never lost her femininity. As a role model for young girls she embodies grace, beauty and strength.

Growing up in the late 1950's and early 1960's Geena must have noticed the disparity of how genders were shown in text books, on television and in the movies. Females were helpless creatures waiting for their Prince Charming to rescue them, was the general theme. And, father knew best. Ladies were women in the kitchen with aprons. Being pretty, girls learned, lead to a girl's popularity. Good looks were favored over intelligence and assertiveness. Jock girls were often seen as "dykes" and shunned. Sporty girls were called, "Tomboys". There was no word like "Marygirls" applied to boys who preferred traditionally feminine pursuits. They were called "sissies", implying that having a more gentle female nature was a bad thing. There were exceptions, of course. Lucille Ball's "I Love Lucy" character was often shown fighting to break gender role restrictions. . "Nancy Drew" and "Brenda Starr, Reporter" also encouraged little girls to aspire to more than "housewife and mother" when they grew up.

Geena Davis does not sit back and enjoy her fame and fortune. She founded "See Jane" an organization that works to change the way female characters are portrayed in the media. "Monkey see, monkey do" is an apt expression about children's formative years. Everything children see influences the adults they will become. "Early exposure of children to less stereotyped gender roles will contribute to less sexism and improved relations between the sexes", Alvin F. Poussaint, M. D., Professor of Psychiatry proclaims. Dr. Poussaint is quoted in "Now You See 'Em Now You Don't: Gender & Racial Disparity in TV for Children". The brief was commissioned by the "See Jane Program of Dads & Daughters".

The "See Jane" website tells us that it "seeks to engage professionals and parents in a call to dramatically increase the percentages of female characters -- and to reduce gender stereotyping -- in media made for children 11 and under." Geena Davis is making a positive difference as a role model for young girls. She is also making a positive difference with her work to provide more positive role models for boys and girls today. Her experience in the industry makes this a perfect role for the former Victoria's Secret model. For more about information visit the "See Jane" website at: http://www.seejane.org/.