Roles and Role Models

The Empowerment of Young Women

The Bernhardt On Broadway team welcomes corporations and organizations to implement programs concurrently with the opening of the movie. These programs are intended to recognize issues of gender equality and offer concrete methodologies for empowering young women.

From Jane Austen to Marie Curie, there have always been a few women who managed to escape their shackles and break out of the restricted lives their sisters led. In a world with social rules and taboos that confined women to the roles of domestic, governess, housewife or prostitute, it is difficult to grasp how these women managed to excel in their chosen fields. Some have had their successes documented. Others remain forgotten because the emphasis has always been on his story, not her story.

Role models are a key way our daughters (and sons) learn what their potential is and what is expected of them. Women today have a responsibility as role models to demonstrate what is possible and inspire young women to reach for the sky. A playing field that is unlevel is more difficult to navigate, but does not preclude achievement.

Our goal is to empower young girls. To accomplish it, we must start early. Let’s create a new generation of powerful women who follow their passion and reach their potential without fear.

Sarah Bernhardt followed her passion and had an unrivaled series of accomplishments. Her career and rise to fame is a testament to her drive and determination. As a headstrong upstart she made a name for herself at one of France’s major state theatres. During the Franco-Prussian War, she turned the theatre into a military hospital where she worked tirelessly in aid of wounded soldiers. Later she formed her own theatre company and toured the world performing to sold out crowds everywhere, becoming France’s greatest ambassador.

Bernhardt starred in the world’s first full-length film at a time when other actors were threatened by the new medium. She introduced and excelled in the practice of paid endorsements. She often donated her time to charitable causes and continued to work tirelessly until the day before she died. Sarah Bernhardt is a role model for women for all time.

The goal for the movie, Bernhardt On Broadway, is more than offering entertainment. It is to focus on Bernhardt who stands as a role model for young girls and women today. The Bernhardt On Broadway team plans to work with the business and nonprofit community to offer programming in tandem with the movie premiere that addresses empowerment issues for young women including:

Growing self-esteem

Getting a good education

Mentoring and nurturing passion

Building up in place of putting down

Working together to help one another

Providing inspiration and encouragement

Encouraging open, honest communication

Standing up for rights at work and at the ballot box

Embracing self-worth and demands for equal compensation

Advocating for and living as strong, understanding role models