Amanda Gorman's 'Girls on the Rise' makes the case that girls are stronger together
In NPR's Book of the Day podcast, Amanda Gorman discusses her new children's book, "Girls on the Rise." The episode explores how Gorman aims to create a vibrant, visually-striking safe space for young readers to discuss complex topics like gender and sexism in an age-appropriate manner. Gorman and host Angela Duckworth emphasize the power of community and solidarity in empowering girls and women, while also highlighting the visibility and progress made by trailblazers like Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris.
Gorman encourages young girls to find their voices and impact the world, reframing setbacks as catalysts for change. Her mantra - "Descended From Freedom Fighters Who Broke Chains" - underscores her determination to empower the next generation to overcome inequality through unity and perseverance.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jan 20, 2025 episode of the NPR's Book of the Day
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1-Page Summary
Inspiration and Creation of "Girls on the Rise"
Amanda Gorman's children's book "Girls on the Rise" was inspired by Dr. Blasey Ford's testimony and celebrates organizations like Vital Voices empowering female leaders. Gorman aimed to create a vibrant, visually striking safe space to discuss gender and sexism with children. She collaborated with illustrator Loveiswise to bring the book's empowering imagery, like girls holding a "Liberation, Freedom, Respect" banner, to life.
Approach To Discussing Complex Topics With Children
Angela Duckworth views children as emotionally intelligent and capable of observing societal messages about gender roles from an early age. Gorman empowers children, especially girls, to voice their experiences and concerns regarding sexism and inequality in an age-appropriate manner that fosters understanding.
The Empowerment of Girls/Women Through Community and Solidarity
Duckworth and Gorman stress the importance of community and solidarity in empowering girls and women. Gorman sees figures like Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris, despite setbacks, as progress paving the way for future female candidates to continue the fight for equality. Their visibility inspires others to pursue leadership roles.
Gorman's Climate Perspective for Young Girls and Women
While acknowledging disheartening events like Harris's failed presidential bid, Duckworth argues these catalyze more women entering politics and leadership. Gorman reframes "defeats" as progress inspiring change. Gorman's mantra - "Descended From Freedom Fighters Who Broke Chains" - fuels her determination to empower girls to find their voices and impact the world.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- Create a visual journal to explore and express your thoughts on gender and sexism, using mixed media like magazine cutouts, drawings, and personal reflections. This can be a private way to process your feelings and ideas about these issues, and the act of creating can be therapeutic and empowering.
- Start a "chain-breaking" story project where you collect and share stories of resilience and overcoming adversity from your family or community. This can be done through social media, a blog, or even a simple email chain. Sharing these stories can inspire others and create a sense of solidarity and community.
- Use historical or contemporary figures as case studies to write personal essays or create short videos on how perceived defeats can lead to greater achievements. Reflect on what you can learn from their experiences and how you can apply these lessons to your own challenges and setbacks.
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Inspiration and Creation of "Girls on the Rise"
"Girls on the Rise" is a children's book that serves as a beacon of empowerment, inspired by real-world events and the collective strength of women leaders. At its core are the creative talents of Amanda Gorman and illustrator Loveiswise, who together brought the narrative to a vivid and inspiring life.
Gorman's "We Rise" Inspired by Dr. Blasey Ford's Testimony, Celebrates Organizations Like Vital Voices Empowering Female Leaders
Amanda Gorman penned "We Rise" at a time when Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee gripped the nation. Originally a personal reflection, the emotions invoked by the testimony led Gorman to translate her piece into a message of solidarity and strength. Her message resonated with organizations such as Vital Voices, which is dedicated to elevating female leaders worldwide. It's within this context that "Girls on the Rise" found its roots, as a celebration of this empowerment movement.
Gorman Aimed to Create a Vibrant, Visually Striking Book As a Safe Space to Discuss Gender and Sexism With Children
Understanding the importance of fostering conversations about gender and sexism early on, Gorman envisioned "Girls on the Rise" as not just a book, but as a vibrant, visually striking safe space for such discussions with children. This vision guided her and her illustrator in their creative process, ensuring that the book would serve as an engaging and educational tool for young readers.
Gorman and Loveiswise Collaborated to Bring the Book's Imagery To Life With Lush, Colorful Scenes
Gorman's partnership with the illustrator Loveiswise was a pivotal element in the book's creation. Together, they infused its pages with lush, colorful scenes that capture the essence of its empowering me ...
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Inspiration and Creation of "Girls on the Rise"
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Actionables
- Create a story-sharing corner in your home where family members can share tales of personal or historical resilience and empowerment, using objects like photos or souvenirs to illustrate the narratives. This encourages open dialogue about strength and perseverance, similar to the themes in "Girls on the Rise."
- Start a monthly book club with friends or community members focusing on literature that celebrates empowerment and leadership, especially by women and girls. Rotate who picks the book to ensure a diverse range of perspectives and experiences are covered, fostering a deeper understanding of the themes "Girls on the Rise" embodies.
- Encourage children to express their understanding of empower ...
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Approach To Discussing Complex Topics With Children
Gorman Views Children As Emotionally Intelligent and Capable
Angela Duckworth discusses addressing inequity and gender issues with younger audiences by acknowledging their emotional intelligence. Duckworth maintains that children begin to observe and question societal messages about gender roles from an early age.
Girls Internalize Societal Messages From a Young Age
Duckworth reflects on how young girls, from their early experiences, internalize societal messages through gendered insults, toys, dressing styles, and expected behaviors. She believes that these early experiences spark questions in young minds about gender equality.
Gorman Empowers Children, Especially Girls, to Voice Their Gender-Related Experiences and Concerns
Duckworth advocates for the empowerment of children to discuss their observations and feelings about sexism and other gender-related experiences. She particularly focuses on ensuring that young girls feel able to voice their concerns.
Gorman Aims to Address Sexism and Inequality Age-appropriately, Fostering Understanding and Positive Change
Gorman, like Duckwo ...
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Approach To Discussing Complex Topics With Children
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Counterarguments
- While children may be emotionally intelligent, their cognitive development stages must be considered when discussing complex topics, as they may not fully grasp the nuances of issues like sexism and inequality.
- There is a risk of projecting adult interpretations of gender roles onto children's experiences, which may not accurately reflect a child's own understanding or the innocence with which they approach gender concepts.
- Empowering children to voice their concerns is important, but it must be balanced with guidance to ensure they are not overwhelmed by adult issues or feel undue pressure to solve societal problems.
- The approach to discussing complex topics with children should be tailored not only to their age but also to their individual maturity levels and personal experiences, as children's ability to understand and process information varies widely.
- While fostering understanding and promoting positive societal change is a noble goal, it is also important to allow children to form their own opinions and beliefs through critical thinking ...
Actionables
- Create a storybook with your child where they are the hero combating gender stereotypes. This activity allows children to articulate their understanding of gender roles and sexism in a creative, narrative form. For example, you could sit down with your child and brainstorm a story where the main character encounters various gender stereotypes and finds clever ways to challenge them. Illustrate the book together, and encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about each scenario.
- Develop a "Gender Equality Jar" where family members can contribute observations or experiences related to gender roles. This can be a simple jar placed in a common area of the home, with notepads next to it. Whenever someone notices a gender stereotype or wants to share something they've seen or felt, they can write it down and put it in the jar. Set aside a regular time each week to discuss these observations as a family, fostering an open dialogue about sexism and gender equality.
- Introduce a "Role-Reversal Day" at home where traditional gender roles are swapped. This ...
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The Empowerment of Girls/Women Through Community and Solidarity
The empowerment of girls and women is receiving a growing emphasis on the importance of community and solidarity. Duckworth and Gorman highlight different aspects of how collective action and public figures inspire progress towards gender equity.
Gorman Stresses Girls' Support Over Isolation
Duckworth emphasizes the value of community and the power that comes from solidarity among girls. She underlines the necessity for girls to feel connected to a community that supports and affirms their value. Citing both research and daily experiences, Duckworth explains that while being a young girl comes with its set of challenges, having systematic changes and communal support can considerably enhance their circumstances and well-being.
"The Book's Text Echoes Collective Action."
In their work, these advocates emphasize that empowerment doesn't occur in isolation. Community and collaboration are the cornerstones of progress. A key line from Duckworth's book resonates with this sentiment: "When one girl is on the rise, it means everyone else is too." It mirrors the belief that individual successes should contribute to and be part of a broader movement that lifts every member of the community.
Gorman Views Setbacks of Women Like Clinton and Harris As Progress Towards Gender Equity
While acknowledging the obstacles encountered by women in prominent public roles, Gorman remains optimistic, viewing the candidacies of women like Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris as significant strides toward gender equality. Rather than seeing their challenges as failures, Gorman interprets these as paving the way for future female candidates, thereby perpetuating the figh ...
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The Empowerment of Girls/Women Through Community and Solidarity
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Counterarguments
- While community and solidarity are important, individual agency and self-empowerment are also critical components of empowerment that should not be overlooked.
- Collective action is valuable, but it is also important to recognize and address the unique challenges and needs of individuals within the community.
- The emphasis on public figures might overshadow the contributions of grassroots activists and lesser-known individuals who are also essential to progress towards gender equity.
- Systematic changes are necessary, but there may be disagreement on what those changes should entail and how they should be implemented.
- The idea that "when one girl is on the rise, it means everyone else is too" may not always hold true, as individual successes do not automatically translate to collective progress without targeted efforts to address systemic barriers.
- Viewing setbacks faced by prominent women as progress can be seen as a positive framing, but it may also inadvertently minimize the real and ongoing struggles against gender discrimination.
- The focus on high-profile candidacies might imply that leadersh ...
Actionables
- You can amplify the stories of women in your community by sharing their achievements on social media with hashtags like #WomenLead or #CommunityEmpower. By doing this, you help increase the visibility of women's successes and contribute to a culture that celebrates and encourages female leadership. For example, if a local woman starts a successful business or a girl from your neighborhood wins a science fair, post about it and tag them if possible, to show your support and inspire others.
- Start a virtual book club focused on female authors or protagonists who overcome adversity, which can foster a sense of solidarity and empowerment among members. Choose books that highlight the resilience and persistence of women, and organize monthly discussions via video calls to reflect on the themes and how they relate to gender equity. This can be a simple way to connect with others who are interested in supporting women's empowerment and can lead to collaborative actions within the group.
- Encourage girls and women you know to share their ...
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Gorman's Climate Perspective for Young Girls and Women
The article focuses on the inspiring perspective Amanda Gorman provides for young girls and women facing current challenges, including setbacks in politics and the ongoing struggle for gender equity.
News Discouragement for Young Girls: Kamala Harris's Bid Setback
Angela Duckworth acknowledges the disheartening news and headlines that young girls are exposed to, notably, Kamala Harris's failed presidential bid. However, Duckworth argues that these occurrences should not be viewed as a halt to progress. Instead, she sees them as catalysts inspiring more women to pursue careers in politics and leadership, thereby creating an impending wave of advancement.
Gorman Sees "Defeats" As Progress, Inspiring More Women in Politics and Leadership
The conversation aligns with Gorman’s stance that setbacks can be reframed as progress. This perspective aims to inspire an increasing number of women to run for office and assert their place in the spheres where they wish to enact change.
Gorman's Mantra: "Daughter of Black Writers, Descended From Freedom Fighters Who Broke Chains and Changed the World," Inspires and Empowers
Gorman’s mantra, as recited by Duckworth, positions her as the heir to a legacy of Black writers and freedom fighters. This lineage serves as a potent source of inspiration, fueling her determination to empower girls to unearth their voices and effectuate transformati ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Gorman's Climate Perspective for Young Girls and Women
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can start a personal journal to document your challenges and reframing them as progress, much like how setbacks in political careers have been viewed as catalysts. By writing down your setbacks and actively transforming them into steps forward, you create a narrative of resilience and inspiration for yourself. For example, if you faced a rejection from a job, write about the skills you gained in the application process and how they prepare you for future opportunities.
- Create a small book club with friends or family focused on works by Black writers and freedom fighters to connect with and draw inspiration from their legacies. This can be a monthly gathering where each person brings a piece of writing that has empowered them. Discussing these works can deepen your understanding of the power of voice and history, similar to Amanda Gorman's mantra.
- V ...
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