Influential Women Redefining Roles: Combat Gender Objectification

        Women and men in BYU-Hawaii were invited to expand their views of women‘s roles and capabilities in a panel discussion sponsored by David O. McKay Center for Intercultural Understanding on Nov 15.

Project lead of the event, Andrea Hansen, a senior in psychology from Colorado, said the purpose of the event was to “dispel the harmful and prevalent notion that women must objectify themselves sexually and allow others to objectify them sexually to be successful.”

Attracting more than 60 attendees, successful women from the community were invited to share their stories and examples. Speakers including Napua Baker, the first female and first known Polynesian to have an administrative position in CES, Debbie Hippolite Wright, BYU-H Vice President for Student Development & Services, Lara Leimana Fonoimoana, former Mrs. America, and Lindsey Pierce, BYU-H alumni, community member and stay-at-home mother.

Students were actively engaged in asking questions regarding current gender issues. Topics included: women receiving higher education, models to overcome objectification and stereotypes of women, maintaining balance between family, education, and work, and advice to males on helping female friends avoid the various mass media traps, etc.

Based on her recent experience serving as a missionary in the LDS Family History Library, Baker said, “It is the mission of BYU-H to establish peace internationally. Education is a powerful tool the Lord gives us. Your gender shouldn’t stop you. Look at Sister Wright, she is the only woman among 4 men [BYU-H presidency]….. I always remember I am a child of God. If you feel you are doing something right, speak out but don’t hold back. Again, with Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost, you can always move forward.”

Making students laugh, Wright said her secret in finding balance in life was to “marry well.” She said women who have higher education and higher administrative positions occasionally find limitations in a male-dominated work force; however, Wright commented, “I do feel blessed to work with respectful people. I never feel excluded from any meeting or conversation.”

Wright explained spiritual achievement is as great as secular achievement. Despite all her secular achievements, Wright still commented, “The best part [of being a woman] is being with my children and grandbabies.”

“Pretty girls come and go, only the women who have a wonderful package inside stay and live the legacy,” said Fonoimoana. She shared her first-hand experience as the former Mrs. Hawaii and Mrs. America, and how she stood up for her principles. “It is interesting to see [how] women portray themselves based on looks. Officially the prettiest girl wins [the pageant]."

Fonoimoana said, "Being a public figure and a mom, I need to draw a fine line. But one thing I did realize, I got the opportunity to be the example to young girls and to talk to young women groups to offer what I believe as a good model. Beauty, no matter what, starts inside. If you don’t get that right, it can’t shine outside. But it is hard when children see magazines and TV, they learn how they should act and how they are supposed to look.”

Encouraging men to support their female friends in fighting objectification, Fonoimoana said, “I think both men and women have this issue. At the end of day it doesn’t matter…. It is important to be healthy, not only physically but mentally.” She added, “What you are taught at home, you stick to it. Don’t let any man or woman to tell you to change it.”

Like other stay-at-home mothers, Pierce pays attention to how mass media influences her children. “When I look at Desperate Housewives [TV soap drama], I see how media portrays women and children. Even when my boys pass by a clothes store, they asked why the girls have no clothes on. Media is affecting my kids….. For girls it gives false impressions, for boys it gives false hope. I can see how divorce rates are so high and pornography is so high even affecting the church. I can’t just keep them [my children] home all the time. My responsibility is to teach them what is good and right, and then let them decide for themselves.” 

Jennifer Kajiyama, discussion moderator and political science professor, shared a story when she was in BYU. “I was pulled aside one day when I was in grad. school. A man told me he was upset the school ‘took you but not me. I am a priesthood holder and I have a good family.’ I wondered why I was here [to seek higher education]. I wasn’t going to let their labels and visions set who I am. I don’t need to fit the stereotype of theirs. A lot of wonderful leaders in the church said whenever women choose to go to grad. school or to have family, it is important to know your vision.” 

        “As a man, I certainly understand why guys are attracted by girls that are not modest,” said Aaron Coffey, one of the male attendees in the activity and also a communication junior from Georgia. “If you dress immodest, you would get more attention from guys but not the right guys that you are looking for. The problem is that, you need to find an alternative way to get guys’ attention in an edifying way.” He said he found women attractive if they are outgoing, have a sense of humor, good hobbies, and ambitions.

Marcus Costantino, a business sophomore from Utah, advised women who discredit themselves for the purpose to please men to “remember you are a daughter of God. Any dream you have is worth pursuing. There is no need to limit yourself.” He said “As a man, we should encourage women to pursue their goals and never stop growing.”