Jennifer Siebel Newsom
"I knew that we couldn’t move toward real cultural change without also challenging the damaging masculinity narrative fed to our boys and men."
Jennifer's Selections
Curator's Statement: Jennifer Siebel Newsom on Masculinity
My first film, Miss Representation, exposes how mainstream media contributes to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence in America and challenges the media's limited portrayal of what it means to be a powerful woman. The film grew into a movement, now called The Representation Project, and has been seen by millions since its 2011 release, in addition to releasing an education curriculum that is now in thousands of schools across the globe. Yet as I traveled the world to speak, from San Francisco to Singapore, I often heard the same refrain afterwards: “What about our boys? Isn’t there a boys crisis going on?” As the mother of three, one of whom is a gentle yet physical little boy named Hunter, I wanted to know more about where their questions were coming from. Even with all of our success, I knew that in Miss Representation, we were only telling part of the story – we couldn’t move toward real cultural change without also exposing and challenging the damaging masculinity narrative fed to our boys and men.
Thus, in 2014, we will release The Mask You Live In, a documentary that explores American masculinity and asks how we as a society are failing boys in America. Watch our trailer!
These selections are meant to highlight individuals around the world challenging a gender binary that limits and hurts us all. I’m particularly excited about spotlighting diverse examples of strength for men and boys – whether it be through bravery, empathy, or patience – which are so rarely celebrated. The work here reflects The Representation Project’s global mission to expose injustices created by gender stereotypes, shifting people’s consciousness towards change and ultimately transforming culture so everyone, regardless of gender, race, class, age, sexual orientation, or circumstance can fulfill their potential.
About Jennifer
Jennifer Siebel Newsom is a CEO, filmmaker, speaker, and advocate for women, girls, and their families. After graduating with honors from Stanford University and Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, Newsom wrote, directed, and produced the 2011 award-winning documentary Miss Representation and subsequently launched MissRepresentation.org (now The Representation Project). The Representation Project is a call-to-action campaign and media organization established to shift people's consciousness, inspire individual and community action and ultimately, transform culture. She also Executive Produced the Academy Award Nominated documentary The Invisible War and is an Executive Producer on the upcoming documentary Campus Assaults. Newsom is in production on two documentaries, The Mask You Live In and The Great American Lie. Today, when she’s not running The Representation Project and making documentaries, Newsom serves as a board member for PBS’s Northern California affiliate KQED, a Global Advisory Board member of the Dove Self Esteem Project, a member of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's Women and Girls Lead Leadership Council, and a commissioner on the Girl Scouts’ Healthy MEdia Commission. She resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, and their three young children.
Get to Know Jennifer
Learn more about Jennifer and why she's involved in IMOW's Curating Change.
- IMOW matters to me because... their work amplifies meaningful cultural conversations and spotlights diverse and inspiring representations of humanity.
- A mantra to live by... A mantra to live by: Be the change you wish to see in the world. –Ghandi
- My favorite book is... Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry
Take Action
Learn which causes and organizations matter most to Jennifer and how you can connect with them.
THE REPRESENTATION PROJECT
The Representation Project is a movement that uses film and media content to expose injustices created by gender stereotypes and to shift people’s consciousness towards change. Interactive campaigns, strategic partnerships and education initiatives inspire individuals and communities to challenge the status quo and ultimately transform culture so everyone, regardless of gender, race, class, age, sexual orientation or circumstance can fulfill their potential. I am so proud of how our organization has grown from a documentary film, Miss Representation, to a movement that is inspiring individuals on a daily basis to crate change and make the world a better place for us all.
THE PROJECT FOR THE ADVANCEMENT FOR OUR COMMON HUMANITY (PACH)
PACH is an emerging think and do tank, funded by the NoVo foundation and based at New York University, that aims to bring together the science and practice that underscore our common humanity in order to create a more just and humane society.c. PACH is a partnership between our dear friends Niobe Way. Pedro Noguera, and Carol Gilligan, all of whom are committed to bringing together the most prominent and brilliant voices and minds to solve some of our society’s most significant challenges. Their emphasis on partnership and positive social change is an inspiration to us all.
COACH FOR AMERICA
Coach for America is an organization founded by former NFL player, mentor, and coach Joe Ehrmann. The organization’s mission is to inform, inspire and initiate individual, communal and societal change that will empower men and women to be their very best – personally, professionally, and relationally through transformational coaching. The work of Joe Ehrmann and Coach for America’s impact may be impossible to measure. It will continue to evolve over time, as his athletes become healthy MEN who ultimately influence future generations. The word "coach" has an entirely new meaning to me after working personally with Joe. Coach is now a symbol for inner strength, respect and love.