The Shape of Power: The Body as a Battleground
Across cultures, women have historically been associated with the body while the association of the mind has been reserved for men. Despite the progress made, today, still a disproportionate amount of a woman’s value is derived from her physical presence, and a deep-rooted inclination for women’s bodies to be controlled.
Efforts to control representations of the feminine illuminate a greater underlying issue: the loss of power. The female body has been - and continues to be - politicized, and to function as a type of battleground for ideological, philosophical, and religious agendas. The female body remains at the center of cultural and political debates about who deserves to take up space and how.
What does the conference theme mean?
In all aspects of life, be it art, media, religion, sports or politics, women have historically been represented from the male perspective. As we enter into this new decade, women are retaking ownership of their bodies, constructing their own stories, and reclaiming their inner feminine power. This conference will cover conversations and foster discussions around topics such as:
Campaigns to change unrealistic beauty standards in media and advertising
Sexual violence and #MeToo
Increasing focus on women’s sports education
Boom in products designed by women for women
Paid parental leave and efforts to break down the maternal wall
Conversations about the intersection of the female body, culture, and policy have never been more poignant. This conference seeks to convene people from all walks of life - thinkers, practitioners, industry leaders, students, and community members - to spark difficult conversations on how together, through leadership and policy, we can work to remove systemic barriers and allow women to regain their power through taking control of their own bodies.
Speakers and Presenters
Thank you to all of the following speakers and presenters who planned to join us for our conference in april. We look forward to hosting you on a new date in the future!
If you are viewing on a desktop computer, click on each photo for more information on this year’s speakers and presenters.
Madonna Badger, Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Badger & Winters
Seane Corn, Yoga Instructor and Activist
Sadie Lincoln, co-founder & CEO, barre3
Dr. Gail Dines, Anti-Porn Scholar and Activist
Nyell Jeudy, Mindfulness & Meditation, Yoga, and Sound Healing Facilitator
Tony Porter, Author, Educator, Activist
Christina Asquith, COO, Hack Club and Founder of the Fuller Project
Sasha Goodfriend, Social Movement Organizer, Menstrual Equity Advocate
Shelley Zalis, CEO, The Female Quotient
Linda Ayrapetov, Host & Creator, Plus 1 Podcast
Colleen DeCourcy, Chief Creative Officer and co-President, Wieden+Kennedy
Our 2020 Team
Conference Leadership Co-Chairs
Kyndal Feinman, MPP 2020
Kyndal is a second year Master in Public Policy student at the Harvard Kennedy School. Originally from Texas, she worked in Boston government and politics before HKS. She is interested in the intersection of business and government, and in removing systemic barriers to women’s advancement across sectors.
Majd Steitieh, MPP 2022
Majd is a first year Master in Public Policy student at the Harvard Kennedy School. She previously worked as a management consultant at PwC in Abu Dhabi and Jeddah, working with governmental entities on public safety. She started a socially motivated women’s fashion brand that blends traditional and modern Middle Eastern dresses to raise money for PTSD treatment for Syrian and Palestinian refugees.
Jamie Mittelman, MPA 2021
Jamie is a second year Master in Public Administration candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School. With the support of Harvard University's Innovation Lab and Women and Public Policy Program, Jamie launched a podcast, Flame Bearers: The Women Athletes Carrying Tokyo's Torch spotlighting women Olympians and Paralympians. Jamie received her MBA from Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business, where she consulted with the World Economic Forum and led the student delegation to win the World Government Summit's Global Universities Challenge. Her professional experience is in corporate social responsibility and nonprofit management.
Conference Committee Chairs
PUBLICITY COMMITTEE
Jenny Huang, MPP 2021
Jenny Huang is a second year Master in Public Policy student at the Harvard Kennedy School. Prior to HKS, she worked in Deloitte Consulting’s Government and Public Sector Practice in Washington, DC, focusing on energy access and gender inclusion initiatives around the world.
EXTERNAL OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Kate Wall, MPP 2021
Kate is a first year Master in Public Policy student at the Harvard Kennedy School. Prior to HKS, she worked for the Program in Global Surgery and Social Change at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital advocating for universal access to safe, affordable surgical, obstetric, and anesthesia care when needed.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Zoja Surroi, MPA 2021
Zoja is a first year MPA student. She previously worked for Monocle magazine in Zurich, served as a fellow at the European Council of Foreign Relations in Berlin, and held senior positions in Kosovo’s leading newspaper, Koha Ditore. She is passionate about brining women’s stories to the forefront.
LOGISTICS COMMITTEE
Annie Odom, MC/MPA 2020
Annie is a Mid-Career Master in Public Administration student at the Harvard Kennedy School. She is an exceptional leader transitioning from nine years active duty in the military as an OH-58D Reconnaissance Helicopter Pilot. Her professional interests include mental health advocacy & research, military transition process, women’s advocacy & research, problem solving, and real estate & investments.
LOGISTICS COMMITTEE
Giulia Zaratti, MPA 2021
Giulia is a first year Master in Public Administration student at the Harvard Kennedy School. Originally from Italy, she worked for the UN and other international organizations in the USA, South East Asia, and Europe. She is interested in designing innovative solutions to increase women’s economic empowerment and political participation.