There has been a huge disparity in the progress of young, minority girls in comparison with young, white girls. Personally, I would credit this discrepancy to a lack of (sound) role models. Who have minority females had to look up to in the past? The media has not failed in giving us our share of video "vixens" and attitudinal black women on sitcoms and movies. These images shaped societal and self-expectations for countless young ladies in America.
My theory is that girls (and boys) often grow into a mold of expectation. If one is blessed enough to have parents or a mentor that not only constantly tells her how successful she will be, but also shows her what success looks like, the girl will clearly envision her future and naturally grow into that expectation. On the other hand, if one's only exposure to women that look like her is on BET UnCut, she, too, will rise up (or sink down) to that expectation.
2009 has brought an array of fresh-faced females to the forefront. Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's nomination to the Supreme Court is a strong, intelligent Puerto Rican woman from the Bronx. Growing up in a single-parent household, Sotomayor was diagnosed with diabetes at an early age. Yet, she persevered and graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University and went on to obtain a law degree at Yale Law School. If appointed, she will serve as the Supreme Court's third woman and first Latina to sit on the highest court in the country.
Ursula Burns is yet another role model for young, minority girls. Last week, Xerox named Burns as its new CEO, making her the first African American woman to run a Fortune 500 company. Beginning at Xerox as a summer intern in 1980, Burns has risen to the top of the ladder with respect and grace. A graduate of the Polytechnic Institute of NYU, she holds a masters of science degree Columbia University.
This year also brought the the country's first African American first family to the scene. Michelle Obama is an awesome representative to minority youth as a woman of poise and class. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, the first lady met President Obama while working at a prestigious law firm. The Obamas serve as one of the most beautiful portraits of an American family since the Cosby's.Hopefully the emergence of these awesome women, along with other existing role models such as Oprah Winfrey and others, will affect the expectations of young, minority females. Not only should these girls be able to envision themselves as successful and capable, but also as beautiful. It is my hope that these successful women will change the societal image and self-image of minority females.
