You’ve probably heard of the Bechdel test, which the cartoonist Alison Bechdel came up with back in the ’80s to measure whether a work of fiction pulls its feminist weight. The criteria are simple: The story has to include 1) at least two women, 2) who talk to each other, 3) about something other than a man. In other words: Have female characters that serve as more than just props to the plotline. It sounds so basic, and yet a shocking number of Hollywood movies fail to make the cut. Paper Towns? Nope. Minions? Not even. Entrourage? Surprise surprise — big time fail. In fact, according to the data publishing site Silk, only 55.4 percent of 2014 films made the cut.
But one major, super-hyped action flick is reportedly passing the Bechdel test with flying colors.
That’s right. Star Wars: The Force Awakens passes the Bechdel test. Los Angeles Times film writer Rebecca Keegan happily tweeted the news last night, adding that she was “impressed by the breadth of female [characters].”
The Force Awakens features four female leads, which might not seem like much, except that women made up a sad 12 percent of main characters and 30 percent of all speaking characters in the top 100 grossing films in 2014, according to data from the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University.
So, go ahead and rock your Star Wars fan fashion, trick out your desk like a Jedi and don your Star Wars fangirl lippy. You can do so knowing you’re supporting the force… of women in film, that is.
Are you surprised that The Force Awakens passed the Bechdel Test? Tweet us @britandco!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.