Pop Culture and Media Voices

We’ve found that these resources offer a broader perspective on issues that affect our girls as well as girls and women across the country and around the world. Whether  you’re a muse looking for something interesting to discuss in your circle or if you’ve just come across this page in your quest for information, we hope you find this information helpful and enlightening. If you have suggestions for relevant additions, please contact info@wggschenectady.org.

Current Events Articles Grouped By Topic

While there are plenty of topics available in the WGGS training binders, tackling topics that the girls request or discussion current events to help girls become more aware of their place in the world is terrific, too. Here are some topics with supporting links to foster discussion.

Interesting Articles

Songs

Popular songs are a great way to foster discussion and talk about our culture. These list of songs covers topics like self-image, relationship boundaries, and break-ups. It’s also packed with various girl power anthems. But songs with curses or references to substance use are not included (a little sad, because it leaves out some great ones!).

Recommended Videos

Recommended Movies

These are movies that are interesting and relevant to our girls.

  • Audrie & Daisy – documentary about two girls’ sexual assaults and the aftermath — currently available on Netflix
  • The Empowerment Project – documentary highlighting positive and powerful women role models
  • Finding Kind – documentary about “mean girls” and seeking to promote kindness
  • Girl Rising – documentary portraying nine girls in the developing world
  • Half the Sky – documentary about women and girls in 10 different countries encountering and fighting oppression
  • The Hunting Ground – documentary about sexual assault on college campuses — currently available on Netflix
  • Miss Representation – documentary about how mainstream media under-represents women in positions of power and influence — currently available on Netflix
  • Queen of Katwe – recent Disney biopic of a girl from the slums of Africa who became a chess champion
  • She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry  – documentary about the birth of the women’s rights movement in the 1960s — currently available on Netflix

Online Feminist and Girl Power Resources

These tend to be national or international organizations. For local resources, see our list of partner organizations.

  • Feminist Majority, a 501(c)(4) organization. We work for women’s equality, from the streets to the legislature.
  • Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. If she can see it, she can be it.™
  • Girl Effect. We’re a creative social business. We exist to create a new normal with and for girls.
  • Girls Leadership teaches the skills to be brave, resilient, and connected, equipping girls to make change in their world.
  • Girls Not Brides is a global partnership of 650+ organisations committed to ending child marriage & enabling girls to fulfil their potential.
  • Girls Who Code is dedicated to getting more girls interested in technology and coding.
  • Go Girl Global. Ideas & inspiration to help girls find their inner potential and emerging place in a greener, global world – founders
  • International Center for Research on Women‘s mission is to empower women, advance gender equality and fight poverty in the developing world.
  • Ms. Foundation for Women has led the charge for women’s rights, equity, and justice since 1973.
  • New Moon Girl Media. Support Girls in Creative Self-Expression & Community: Girls worldwide share their writing, opinions, video, photos, advice, support, art online + in mag.
  • Pigtail Pals. Fighting gender stereotypes and sexualization by teaching media literacy to families.
  • ToGetHerThere, powered by Girl Scouts, centers on one goal: achieve gender-balanced leadership—in every industry and every community—in a single generation.
  • She’s the First provides scholarships to girls in low-income countries, fostering first-generation graduates & cultivating the next generation of global leaders.
  • Spark Movement. A girl-fueled, intergenerational feminist movement.
  • Strong Women Alliance is a network designed to connect, empower, and equip women.
  • Transportation YOU: A mentorship program for girls 13-18 encouraging STEM studies and transportation professions as an awesome career choice!
  • Women’s Media Center. Amplifying women’s voices. Changing the conversation.

Online Resources for Sex and Health Education

  • Center for Young Women’s Health focuses on women’s health issues including physical and emotional health, and it’s run by Boston Children’s Hospital.
  • Go Ask Alice is a site run by Columbia University that covers all sorts of teen-related health issues including sex, drugs, alcohol, skin, diet issues, depression, etc.
  • It’s Your Sex Life is an MTV website with information from favorites like Planned Parenthood and Laci Green. They have a “live chat” feature for questions.
  • Laci Green’s YouTube channel. An entertaining sex educator and feminist who does weekly videos on current feminist/political issues.
  • Planned Parenthood‘s site offers accurate information and resources.
  • Scarleteen is a longstanding and very interactive website with bunches of Q & As as well as message boards and a live-ask-a-question feature. It’s not the 101 level stuff, so proceed accordingly.
  • Sex, Etc. is a teen-written magazine/blog/website.