I recently saw a meme that says, "Wonder Woman is not a person, she is a mindset". I read that and was instantly thinking Hell Yes...I can become Wonder Woman! Before you judge me, hear me out. Yes, I am a total geek when it comes to Wonder Woman...I guess I'm somewhat obsessed (you should see my Amazon wishlist). But its because the first time I saw the Wonder Woman movie - the Gal Gadot version...I was completely oblivious to everything prior - I felt my soul light up! Here is this woman who encompasses, literally, everything I aspire to be.
This character is someone women and girls have idolized for DECADES! My mom was one of those women, but I never knew why...other than the fact that she was a super hero. Here is a woman who's virtues far surpass that of your average Joe. In a society so consumed by social media, the most recent presidential scandal, and gossipy drama between actors and actresses, we tend to lose sight of what is most important: friendship, family, loyalty, fighting fair, truth, justice, being an advocate for others, and so much more. AND SHE'S A WOMAN!
Ever since I can remember, I have sought out movies and books with characters that did good by others. But there is something about Wonder Woman that is different. I feel genuinely moved by everything Wonder Woman - the movies, tv show, and the comics - because she was initially created during a time that women were still seen as objects, as inferior to the male sex. And through the decades, her importance hasn't been lost, but further embraced. And, get this, she was the brain child of a man...a freaking fantastic man, who said this about his creation:
"Frankly, Wonder Woman is psychological propaganda for the new type of woman who should, I believe, rule the world."
YES.
The press release explaining Wonder Woman (in 1941 mind you) says "Wonder Woman was conceived by Dr. Martson to set up a standard among children and young people of strong, free, courageous womanhood; to combat the idea that women are inferior to men, and to inspire girls to self-confidence and achievement in athletics, occupations and professions monopolized by men [because] the only hope for civilization is the greater freedom, development and equality of women in all fields of human activity." And 77 years later, the purpose of Wonder Woman is still understood and celebrated.
As a married woman who intends to start a family, this super hero character means everything to me. Understanding the purpose of the creation of a fictional character, and pushing myself to embody everything that makes her Wonder Woman is so, very, important. I want my future son or daughter to see me and have an understanding of the importance of women and the virtues that are exhibited by me, as a result of having Wonder Woman as both a personal hero and a mindset.
To me, that Wonder Woman mindset means remembering and embracing the importance of compassion for others, standing for those who cannot stand up for themselves, working to spread love as opposed to hate, ensuring that I can defend myself and my family when necessary, continually pushing myself to understand that doing what is right for the majority is most important, and embracing the fact that I'm a damn warrior woman!
I look forward to seeing the next generation grow, with female role models instilling a Wonder Woman mindset in our daughters - and an understanding of that mindset in our sons. Its characters like this that we should be idolizing while making the scandalous social media norm fade.
Love Always,
Kaitlyn B.
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