Process Paper
Women's Rights is an issue I have always held close to my heart. I have always identified as a feminist, professed by passion for women's rights, and eagerly participated in conversations about gender; but when time came to pick a topic for my National History Day project, it occurred to me that I knew nothing about the history of women's rights. Beyond Susan B. Anthony and Simone de Beauvoir, I was clueless. I knew one name - Gloria Steinem - and I went from there.
My research started how most modern research does, through Google. After using the internet to develop a foundation of knowledge of the topic, I explored local libraries and my own bookshelves to find published expert's work on the subject. My mother was a professor in Women's Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, so she proved to be an important resource in both my understanding of the topic and in my search for books. The most important step of my research process was my multiple visits to Van Pelt Library at the University of Pennsylvania to see every printed copy of Ms. Magazine (from the first issue to the present). Simply flipping through old editions of Ms. helped me actualize my research and put myself in the shoes of a second-wave feminist.
For my project process, I first wrote a 2100 word paper. It helped me organize my research and develop a cohesive argument. I considered submitting a final draft of my paper as my final NHD submission. Instead, I decided on the website format, because I felt that I could give a viewer a more comprehensive and immersive understanding of the content. I wanted to give viewers an experience similar to my experience flipping through Ms. Magazine. The website process also challenged me to present my research in a less traditional fashion. I first designed the skeleton of the website, and then, slowly and carefully, I pieced together each section of my research and delved into photo and video internet archives to find media that corresponded. At the end of my process, I went through several thorough rounds of teacher and peer reviews.
My project relates to the NHD theme of leadership and legacy in two clear ways. One, Gloria Steinem was a leader of the Women’s Liberation Movement. Although her visibility on the movement’s front lines may have been magnified by her charm rather than her talent, she still served a very important role in shaping the feminist wave. She was able to serve this role, primarily, by two, Ms. Magazine. By opening dialogue about previously taboo women’s issues, Steinem’s woman-run publication inspired women and men alike to change their traditional, patriarchal mindsets, encourage independent working women, and embrace a changing social climate. Ms. Magazine left a legacy of changed rules, changed standards, and changed minds. Through her leadership, Steinem was able to leave a legacy of new American women.
Word count: 486
My research started how most modern research does, through Google. After using the internet to develop a foundation of knowledge of the topic, I explored local libraries and my own bookshelves to find published expert's work on the subject. My mother was a professor in Women's Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, so she proved to be an important resource in both my understanding of the topic and in my search for books. The most important step of my research process was my multiple visits to Van Pelt Library at the University of Pennsylvania to see every printed copy of Ms. Magazine (from the first issue to the present). Simply flipping through old editions of Ms. helped me actualize my research and put myself in the shoes of a second-wave feminist.
For my project process, I first wrote a 2100 word paper. It helped me organize my research and develop a cohesive argument. I considered submitting a final draft of my paper as my final NHD submission. Instead, I decided on the website format, because I felt that I could give a viewer a more comprehensive and immersive understanding of the content. I wanted to give viewers an experience similar to my experience flipping through Ms. Magazine. The website process also challenged me to present my research in a less traditional fashion. I first designed the skeleton of the website, and then, slowly and carefully, I pieced together each section of my research and delved into photo and video internet archives to find media that corresponded. At the end of my process, I went through several thorough rounds of teacher and peer reviews.
My project relates to the NHD theme of leadership and legacy in two clear ways. One, Gloria Steinem was a leader of the Women’s Liberation Movement. Although her visibility on the movement’s front lines may have been magnified by her charm rather than her talent, she still served a very important role in shaping the feminist wave. She was able to serve this role, primarily, by two, Ms. Magazine. By opening dialogue about previously taboo women’s issues, Steinem’s woman-run publication inspired women and men alike to change their traditional, patriarchal mindsets, encourage independent working women, and embrace a changing social climate. Ms. Magazine left a legacy of changed rules, changed standards, and changed minds. Through her leadership, Steinem was able to leave a legacy of new American women.
Word count: 486