I am a developmental psychologist, researcher, mother (of two teenage boys), professor, activist, daughter. I grew up before Title IX and did not know that I could be as strong with my body as I was with my mind. As an adult, I stumbled into body competence by accident and have been pursuing it, along…
Considered this generation’s “Go to Girl” for self-esteem, Jess Weiner inspires audiences worldwide with her authentic take on living a confident life. She is a best selling author and the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Talk to Jess, LLC and the Actionist® Network, a global online community that recognizes and connects individuals and organizations…
“I am the senior director of the American Psychological Association Women’s Programs Office (WPO). The WPO works to improve the status, health, and well-being of women psychologists and women in the general public. I am adding my spark to this movement because the APA’s Task Force Report on the Sexualization of Girls found that the…
Julia Barry is the creator of In Her Image: Producing Womanhood in America, a multi-media program addressing the effects of contemporary American images. Julia is a also a successful singer/musician, and wrote a number of original pieces specifically for the project, In Her Image. Talk about a modern-day Renaissance woman! In her own words, Julia…
I’m a psychology professor at the University of Michigan and have been doing research for the past 17 years both on teens’ sexual development and on media influences on teens’ lives. I was also a member of the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls. I have conducted many research studies analyzing the narrow…
Peggy Moss is the author of award-winning books for children: One of Us, Our Friendship Rules and Say Something. She is a former hate violence lawyer who writes and talks about bullying, teasing and relationships. Peggy also writes “It’s time to rescue the media from these pathetic patterns of sexualization that limit girls and cater…
Because of my experience at New Moon Girls I’m passionate about girls’ self-expression and the need for girls to be respected. When girls are sexualized in the media, it hurts them and boys in many ways that carry into adult life. SPARK gives girls a way to speak up for themselves and speak out against…
I am a health educator, life coach, speaker, and founder of Helping Our Teen Girls In Real Life Situations, Inc. (HOTGIRLS) ®, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and lives of young women and girls in underserved communities through health education, leadership development, and media education. I am also developing books, products, and…