heroines - Jezebel

posts about #heroines more →
Eve Ensler: "Until The Violence Stops"
"Hollywood Goes Crazy Over What We Have To Wear…"
8-Year-Old Girl Takes The Wheel And Saves Her Grandmother's Life
"Female Force" Comic Books Feature "Influential" Women
Who Are Your Pop Culture Heroines?
Today Is Ada Lovelace Day
Everybody Knows (She's A Femme Fatale)
Heroines: From Life and Literature
Helen Thomas: Heroine; Icon; Everywoman
Golden Girl!

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queen_caribbean
10/22/09

In reply to Eve Ensler: "Until The Violence Stops"
It's sad when I start getting anxious that soon it will be dark when I leave work at 5pm. This means I will spend my lunch breaks getting errands done rather than eating lunch because I don't like to run to even to Wal-Mart by myself after dark. I find that guys who are in a relationship or who grew up with sisters and/or a lot of female relatives around are most understanding of this habit. Luckily for me, my husband is more than willing to accompany me when I ask. It just pisses me off that I do. #eveensler
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Maritsa
10/22/09

@queen_caribbean: When I lived in a city I remember being relieved whenever Daylight Savings Time started because it would get dark later. #eveensler
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tiredfairy
10/22/09

In reply to Eve Ensler: "Until The Violence Stops"
I remember, on another forum, a guy finally "getting" some aspect of what it's like for women after he read a thread about how, for most women, you have to constantly watch your back. Be vigilant. Aware. On guard. Map our different escape routes. Treat every stranger as a potential thread, especially at night or when you're on your own. Having to worry about being alone in an elevator with someone, making sure no one is behind you as you go into your car or front door...etc. He was appalled. It had clearly never occurred to him before.

I can't really imagine it, but man, I would like to. I take nighttime walks because really, it's my only option. And I live in a nice neighborhood, other pedestrians, etc. But I still keep my ipod turned down so I can hear people behind me. I stop randomly and look behind me, keep a light in my pocket, watch dark shadows, and don't get too close to the bushes.

I live in a college area so there are usually people around, but sometimes they're drunk people and that's not too much fun. I hate having to feel like I'm risking my safety just by walking around the block a few times for fitness. #eveensler
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Sadako
10/29/09

@tiredfairy: Actually, I'm female and I've never done any of that stuff, and most of the women I've talked to--on forums online and in real life--have never done it either. I mean, most elevators have cameras in them...and is there really going to be time for a guy to rape you in them? #eveensler
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tiredfairy
10/29/09

@Sadako: Uhm, yes. I worked in NYC for years, you have to be careful. And my mother taught me to trust my instincts so if I don't like a situation, I leave. Such as the elevatory.

Did you read any of the other comments on this thread? Most of the women here have this issue. And I think most women do think about this, unless they're deluding themselves or clueless about the lack of safety precautions in most places.

I'm not saying it's not something you don't personally worry about, but that viewpoint is the exceptions. Most women, especially living alone, do have to watch out for their safety on a regular basis. #eveensler
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Sadako
10/29/09

@tiredfairy: I live in NYC too, and I've polled other people, and nowhere other than on this site have I found this attitude. Which is interesting because I think that it tends to be something that a patriarchy drums into women to make them unsure of themselves. In actuality, the city is safer than it's ever been with very few violent crimes. #eveensler
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Rooo sez BISH PLZ
10/22/09

In reply to Eve Ensler: "Until The Violence Stops"
I would love it, then, if some of you science Jezzies would start working on some of that telemere-lengthening stuff for Eve.

'Cause I love her, but if that's her mission? With what I've been reading around here (and of course, not just here) lately, it's looking like it's gonna be awhile. #eveensler
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CurtCole
10/22/09

In reply to Eve Ensler: "Until The Violence Stops"
I'm glad there are strong women out there that are fighting to end violence against women and raise awareness. I just wish more men would jump in too. The other night I was walking to my apartment and was about twenty feet behind this women, walking to hers. All of a sudden she just bolted around a corner. I freaked, because I couldn't figure out what she was running from and if I should be scared or not. Then I realized that I must have been walking too close to her and that we were the only people in the parking lot. She was running from me. It saddens me that we live in a world where women have to live in fear for their lives, even walking from their car to their door. #eveensler
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curiousgeorgiana
10/22/09

@CurtCole: Oh gosh, that happened to me once. I was walking out to the parking garage after a late night at the library and felt like the guy behind me was following me. I ducked behind a concrete pillar, pulled out my mace, and jumped back out ninja style.

I had dropped my id and he was trying to catch up with me. I almost gave him a heart attack when I jumped out with my mace raring to go--thank god I didn't fire. #eveensler
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CurtCole
10/22/09

@curiousgeorgiana: Your reaction is totally understandable though! I felt awful for scaring that woman. I wanted to scream, "Wait, I'm a feminist!" as ridiculous as that would be. Not only does there need to be more done to end violence against women, there also needs to be cultural training in how not to freak women out in public. Needless to say, I've learned my lesson.
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Edited by CurtCole at 10/22/09 6:52 PM CurtCole was starred CurtCole was unstarred

curiousgeorgiana
10/22/09

@CurtCole: LOL. We need an identifying signal or something. Maybe a sign that says "Not a rapist" would work? #eveensler
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secretlycontroversial
10/22/09

@curiousgeorgiana: I am scared anytime I am alone in parking garages with just one other man that I don't know.

It is insane to actually think about all the precautions that I take on a daily basis out of fear. It becomes such a part of daily life that when I actually think about how many times I make an "escape route" for myself, it's sad.

And I live in a safe area. #eveensler
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La Chica Lucy
10/22/09

@CurtCole: "It saddens me that we live in a world where women have to live in fear for their lives, even walking from their car to their door."

Dude, I <3 you. My husband has had similar experiences. #eveensler
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tiredfairy
10/22/09

@CurtCole: My husband feels that way, and I'm glad to see it's not uncommon. Mostly because I've heard other guys who say they're feminists become -irate- that a woman walked faster or crossed the street when they saw them because it hurt their feelings. One friend even told me he deliberately starting following a woman who did that closer, because who did she think she was, why would she assume someone might want to rape her? I gave him the biggest diatribe on not being an ass you can imagine. She assumed that because women actually do have to worry about it. You're a stranger, end of story. #eveensler
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CurtCole
10/22/09

@tiredfairy: Exactly! The fact that he would deliberately walk closer behind her speaks volumes about how much further men have to go before they can understand and respect women in our society (and I don't exclude myself from that statement, I learn something new everyday.) #eveensler
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galtor
10/22/09

@CurtCole: Shit, that happened to me once, I didn't realize that with my headphones and hoodie during winter how menacing I might have appeared. The girl turned back and I suddenly got all Deer in headlights and I didn't know how to assure her that I wasn't a rapist and I thought a smile might work.

It might have made things worse.

I feel like a dick and now I try to be super aware of space and body language. #eveensler
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howdybeep (runs with monkey wrenches)
10/22/09

In reply to Eve Ensler: "Until The Violence Stops"
I got a shiver at the idea of not having to map out serpentine routes through different neighborhoods on my commute home so as to ditch some dude who decided to follow me, which happens about once a quarter.

I mean a shiver. #eveensler
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curiousgeorgiana
10/22/09

@howdybeep (runs with monkey wrenches): While in the car with my boyfriend last weekend, I used one of my "emergency" routes to avoid a traffic accident. He said "How did you know about this way?" He sat in silence for the rest of the ride when I told him that I had about 3 alternate routes for all of my common trips. He would never think to do that-- he wouldn't have too. #eveensler
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howdybeep (runs with monkey wrenches)
10/22/09

@curiousgeorgiana: The Dude didn't believe that it was such a big deal until we were caravaning across town one day and in the middle of the trip, a guy decided to follow me. He said it was unnerving watching a car pull up along side me at a light, and then drop back behind me once traffic started flowing, cut off the car behind him (which was the Dude) and copy my every move for ten minutes.

When I pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, I heard this "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING, MAN?" from the Dude. The guy tried to claim we were together, and then said the Dude was lying about our marital status, and then fried to pass it off as the Dude being hostile, that he wasn't doin' nuthin', and besides, that girl is ugly, anyway.

That was the day the Dude understood.
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Edited by howdybeep (runs with monkey wrenches) at 10/22/09 7:28 PM

sarrible
07/24/09

In reply to "Hollywood Goes Crazy Over What We Have To Wear…"
This is why Battlestar Galactica was awesome. That is all.
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Zwitter
07/24/09

In reply to "Hollywood Goes Crazy Over What We Have To Wear…"
I maintain that my sexuality (and my life, by proxy) was forever changed by the sight of a life-sized promotional cardboard standup of Weaver as the Ripley of 'Alien 3', complete with shaved head. I was only about 7 or 8 at the time and wouldn't see any of the movies until a decade later, but it made a huuuge impression.

There's something troublingly fictional about women acting like they're kicking ass in heels and latex -- sure it's all fun to watch, but it looks profoundly unrealistic and unecessarily difficult (I'm talking about YOU, Watchmen.) Especially if your character isn't supposed to have superpowers of any sort. I'd much rather have Tank Girl or T2's Sarah Connor.
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MISS MERCY STREET promoted this comment Edited by Zwitter at 07/24/09 4:41 PM Zwitter was starred Zwitter was unstarred

Wit is periodically disensouled
07/24/09

In reply to "Hollywood Goes Crazy Over What We Have To Wear…"
On the other hand, Nichelle Nichols reportedly loved her costume as Uhura and had this to say about it:

"So? I was wearing them on the street. What's wrong with wearing them in the air? ... It amazes me that people still make some remark about 'the revealing'. They revealed nothing. I had long black stockings on and boots up to my knees and the skirts and panties on and a skirt that gave you freedom to move in, - so what?"

Also, apparently she didn't like the ruffles on the guys' pants.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/st/interviews/nichols/page6.shtml
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Jen82
07/24/09

In reply to "Hollywood Goes Crazy Over What We Have To Wear…"
I always find it really distracting when I watch an action/horror movie and a female character is running or whatever in heels. I can't focus on what is going on on the screen because I find the heel thing to be so unrealistic (because aliens are, but you know what I mean). I mean, if the zombies were coming, the first thing I would do would be to remove my Louboutins so I could move freely, I don't know about you.
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siboney
07/24/09

@Jen82: I was cringing when I saw Gwyneth Paltrow running in sky-high stilettos in Iron Man. I mean, props to the actress, but yeah, distracting.
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ketamineKitty
07/24/09

@siboney: My stiletto would be through a zombie's skull in about half a second. But I guess you could look at them as an advantage in that way...
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whynotshesaid
07/25/09

@ketamineKitty: Hey, it worked for Elvira...
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Laines
07/24/09

In reply to "Hollywood Goes Crazy Over What We Have To Wear…"
I mean, my TV Guide interview was six paragraphs about my BOOBS and how they fit into my suit. No one bothered to ask me what I do on the show.
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SisterRay73
07/24/09

@Laines: She had one job on this lousy ship, and it's stupid, but she's gonna do it!
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SevenNationArmy has truth tourettes
07/24/09

In reply to "Hollywood Goes Crazy Over What We Have To Wear…"
Why is Zoe more famous? Honestly shes gorgeous, smart and from the interviews I've seen of her very nice. I guess she isn't trainwreck enough for people to care. Shame.
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BlondeGoddess
07/24/09

In reply to "Hollywood Goes Crazy Over What We Have To Wear…"
An ex of mine still has hot and bothered dreams about Sigourney sliding into a spacesuit wearing teeny tiny panties.
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CurtCole
07/24/09

@BlondeGoddess: those undies made me question my sexuality for about 45 whole seconds.
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CurtCole
07/24/09

@BlondeGoddess:
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BlondeGoddess
07/24/09

@CurtCole: And there they are!
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HarpMadness
07/24/09

@CurtCole: Me, too, CurtCole ... me too ...
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CurtCole
07/24/09

In reply to "Hollywood Goes Crazy Over What We Have To Wear…"
Dr. Manhattan feels your pain.
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NotChoinski
07/24/09

@CurtCole: Ha! I saw it on BlueTube last night.
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Lisabel (ne: Dagnabbit)
07/24/09

@CurtCole:Lols, yes. Never read the comic, didn't expect to see so much of... um... "Lower Manhattan".
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