“Do men have women heroes?” That’s the intriguing question that attorney Jessica Brown asked her Twitter followers. The responses that she got were very varied and Jess sparked a real debate on the social media platform.
The responses were refreshingly honest and people went into detail who their female heroes are and why. A lot of people said that they see their mothers and Margaret Thatcher as their personal heroes. Scroll down, have a look at who some men call their personal heroes, and upvote your favorite tweets. Oh, and let us know in the comments below who your female heroes are, dear Pandas.
Jess’ thread got more than 106.9k likes on Twitter, was retweeted 10.1k times, and got a lot of people passionate to talk about the subject. While not every interaction was friendly, the important thing is that people got to talking, right?
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Her charity is called The Fistula Foundation and it's one of the charity options on Amazon Smile :-)
One conclusion that you can make from the attorney’s thread is that some men definitely have women heroes while others are upfront about the fact that they idolize other successful men. In other words—a lot depends on each individual person.
However, why are some men more reluctant to have female heroes? It might be related to the fact that some boys have trouble accepting women superheroes. Actress and Harry Potter star Emma Watson touched on this issue in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. In her opinion, boys have been conditioned to look up to male superheroes and avoid female ones.
As a woman living in the #NZHellhole (I’ll stop making jokes about that when anti-elimination people stop calling us a dictatorship), seeing a certain person on that list made my day. :)
“It’s something that they are not used to and they don’t like that. Anything that deviates from the norm is difficult to accept. I think if you’ve been used to watching characters that look like, sound like, think like you and then you see someone up on the screen and you go, ‘Well, that’s a girl, she doesn’t look like me. I want it to look like me so that I can project myself onto the character,'” Watson pondered.
She added that girls feel less threatened and have an easier time relating to all characters, whatever their gender might be.
Saw her live on her last tour. One of the best rock and roll shows I ever saw. btw-she wrote "Blue Suede Shoes"
“Women are great at doing that. We see whoever is on screen and we recognize the human qualities in the man that we relate to and there’s not such a gap, but for some reason, there’s some kind of barrier there where [men] are like, ‘I don’t want to relate to a girl. I don’t want to, I don’t want that,’ which I think is inherently part of the problem,” the actress and UN ambassador for the HeForShe initiative said. However, not everything’s grim and Watson believes that things are slowly but surely changing.
She's the Lioness of West Sumatera who fought against taxes levied by the Dutch East Indies Company on the population of Manggopoh. Despite still nursing an infant, she successfully led the rebellion, resulting in her husband being exiled to Manado while she was imprisoned with her child.
That's so sweet. I appreciate that a politician so young can be someone's hero.
Sakine Cansiz was a co-founder of the Kurdish PKK after she'd been imprisoned and tortured by the Turkish police. She was shot dead in Paris, France in 2013, a case that remains unsolved.
"Freedom is always the freedom of dissenters." -Rosa Luxemburg, a wisdom that has been forgotten. Nowadays, thought crimes are getting prosecuted, sometimes in some countries in a court of law and very often by news media and on social media sites. Intolerance towards dissenters is constantly growing.
She was a ruthless defender of the wealthy and the powerful, an ennemy of the working class, gays, women and anyone who wasn't english. She was evil incarnate and the day she died made me happier than I had been in a long time. I wish there was a god so she could be roasting in hell.
Glad to see at least that all the Thatcher ones are getting down voted. Honestly, WTF???
Can we take a moment to pay tribute to this lovely polish lady in the picture. Her name was Irena Stanisława Sendler (1910-2008), nurse during WW2. She saved approx 2500 children by smuggling them out of the Nazi camp. She was carrying out infants on the bottom of her toolbox every time after visit of Nazi camp. Risking her life every day! In 2007 she was a candidate to receive a Nobel peace prize... lost to Al Gore and his climate change chart. Screen-Sho...56-png.jpg
I wanted to write about Irena Sendlerowa, I'm so glad You already did.
Load More Replies...I am surprised there was no mention of Florence Nightingale since she revolutionised medical care and she did it even though her family disapproved (and many others) were against her because she was female. They expected/wanted her to meet a man, have kids and become a happy little housewife instead of getting an education and doing what she wanted.
Excellent choice. The odd thing is how many people seem to think she was a hands-on nurse. She was a powerful, kick-a*s administrator who essentially faced down the government and military establishment till she got what she wanted.
Load More Replies...Now look, I'm Australian and a republican. It's ridiculous that our head of state is the Queen. However, I think she's great. Stoic, dignified, incredible sense of duty. She also appears to be immortal.
Julie d'Aubigny is my all time hero, male or female. Her life was outrageous beyond belief. An opera singer, fencer, arsonist, brawler, cross dresser, high-class mistress and nun. She'd probably be in prison if she were alive today, but so would many people whose lives are worth reading about.
I wonder if a movie were to be made based on her stories. I'd totally see it many times over.
Load More Replies...All of the women who secretly worked as code breakers during WWII. There's a book about them called "Code Girls" by Liza Mundy. They kept the true nature of their "secretary" jobs a secret until Ms. Mundy found and interviewed the few women still alive a few years ago. Total smartypants bad asses!
Nobody mentioned Nellie Bly? She was pretty much the first investigative reporter, and I thought of her often in my years in newspapers.
Madame Curie, every one of NASA's "computers", Sally Ride, Mother Theresa and whoever becomes the first female US President, regardless of which side of the isle she's on. (There were about 5 listed above that made me nod my head and say, her two from above that aren't on my list--Jane Goodall, AOC, Ruth G to name a few.) I've always been the type of man who has no problem with having a woman as a boss. I've had several in my career, and they've always been great bosses to have. I have no problem being on projects (I'm a computer consultant) with women leading the project. (Although my wife tells me she can tell when I'm talking to a woman on the phone. I don't know what it is that I'm doing different, but she says she can tell.)
Maybe she knows you well :-) Also heard that, statistically speaking, women make more compassionate and fair bosses.
Load More Replies...Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley in the alien saga is my favourite super hero/heroine of all time.
I'd like to add ... Poison Ivy Rorschach of the Cramps. She didn't develop any medicine or so, but she made an impression in a profession where most of the time people refer to women delivering great work as "good for a girl" and similar toxicities. Their music is great. Not "good for a girl" or "great for a woman", just great and that's it. The Cramps ... well, who don't know them might take a look into their stuff to start loving them.
I have a lot. Maya Angelou, Aretha Franklin, Marilyn Monroe, Betty White. My mother because she worked, raised two children, and went to college at the same time. My grandmother because she left her home in Arkansas at fifteen and made it all the way to Texas by herself. My sister who has epilepsy and still does her best to take care of our family.
My heroes are my wife, my aunt and my sister. Without them, I know my comment would be none existent. My aunt literally saved my life from a very cruel stepmother when I was young. My wife has always stood by my side with love and honesty. My sister use to sneak me peanut butter sandwiches and water when locked in the basement .
I am so sorry to hear that you went through that and I am glad that you have these amazing ladies in your life.
Load More Replies...That's not something to be embarrassed about. There are seven billion people on the Earth. There are some, even famous ones, that you won't know.
Load More Replies...Harriet Tubman is why favorite historical figure ever. A black, disabled women who never lost a passenger on the Underground Railroad, became a spy, and lead the first female lead military charge in the us....she’s incredibly heroic. Florence Nightingale, Jane Goodall, Sybil Ludington (not quite as impressive as the other but she gets no credit for what she did), Sacagawea, Nancy Wake (the completely insane and badass WW2 spy), and Virginia Hall (another WW2 spy who was both female and disabled
Read "Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked The World" (original French title: "Culottées: Des femmes qui ne font ce qu’elles veulent") by Pénélope Bagieu. A lot of the women listed above (and below) are covered. Waiting for the second volume ("Thirty More Rebel Ladies Who Rocked The World") to be made available at the library.
This was such a great list until the Thatcherites came out and spoiled it. The woman was evil incarnate.
Anytime someone calls attention to the breaking of gender roles, it ultimately undermines the concept of gender equality by implying that this is the exception and not the status quo.
Sorry, but does anyone else think that this is a pathetic question? Why is there any reason for men to not have female heroes?
Why the f**k wouldnt men have women as their heros in some cases? What a stupid question from that original tweet!
why are you saying that? my heroes is my friends elaine and nina they helped me adapt to immigrant life in U.S and are still great friends
Load More Replies...Can we take a moment to pay tribute to this lovely polish lady in the picture. Her name was Irena Stanisława Sendler (1910-2008), nurse during WW2. She saved approx 2500 children by smuggling them out of the Nazi camp. She was carrying out infants on the bottom of her toolbox every time after visit of Nazi camp. Risking her life every day! In 2007 she was a candidate to receive a Nobel peace prize... lost to Al Gore and his climate change chart. Screen-Sho...56-png.jpg
I wanted to write about Irena Sendlerowa, I'm so glad You already did.
Load More Replies...I am surprised there was no mention of Florence Nightingale since she revolutionised medical care and she did it even though her family disapproved (and many others) were against her because she was female. They expected/wanted her to meet a man, have kids and become a happy little housewife instead of getting an education and doing what she wanted.
Excellent choice. The odd thing is how many people seem to think she was a hands-on nurse. She was a powerful, kick-a*s administrator who essentially faced down the government and military establishment till she got what she wanted.
Load More Replies...Now look, I'm Australian and a republican. It's ridiculous that our head of state is the Queen. However, I think she's great. Stoic, dignified, incredible sense of duty. She also appears to be immortal.
Julie d'Aubigny is my all time hero, male or female. Her life was outrageous beyond belief. An opera singer, fencer, arsonist, brawler, cross dresser, high-class mistress and nun. She'd probably be in prison if she were alive today, but so would many people whose lives are worth reading about.
I wonder if a movie were to be made based on her stories. I'd totally see it many times over.
Load More Replies...All of the women who secretly worked as code breakers during WWII. There's a book about them called "Code Girls" by Liza Mundy. They kept the true nature of their "secretary" jobs a secret until Ms. Mundy found and interviewed the few women still alive a few years ago. Total smartypants bad asses!
Nobody mentioned Nellie Bly? She was pretty much the first investigative reporter, and I thought of her often in my years in newspapers.
Madame Curie, every one of NASA's "computers", Sally Ride, Mother Theresa and whoever becomes the first female US President, regardless of which side of the isle she's on. (There were about 5 listed above that made me nod my head and say, her two from above that aren't on my list--Jane Goodall, AOC, Ruth G to name a few.) I've always been the type of man who has no problem with having a woman as a boss. I've had several in my career, and they've always been great bosses to have. I have no problem being on projects (I'm a computer consultant) with women leading the project. (Although my wife tells me she can tell when I'm talking to a woman on the phone. I don't know what it is that I'm doing different, but she says she can tell.)
Maybe she knows you well :-) Also heard that, statistically speaking, women make more compassionate and fair bosses.
Load More Replies...Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley in the alien saga is my favourite super hero/heroine of all time.
I'd like to add ... Poison Ivy Rorschach of the Cramps. She didn't develop any medicine or so, but she made an impression in a profession where most of the time people refer to women delivering great work as "good for a girl" and similar toxicities. Their music is great. Not "good for a girl" or "great for a woman", just great and that's it. The Cramps ... well, who don't know them might take a look into their stuff to start loving them.
I have a lot. Maya Angelou, Aretha Franklin, Marilyn Monroe, Betty White. My mother because she worked, raised two children, and went to college at the same time. My grandmother because she left her home in Arkansas at fifteen and made it all the way to Texas by herself. My sister who has epilepsy and still does her best to take care of our family.
My heroes are my wife, my aunt and my sister. Without them, I know my comment would be none existent. My aunt literally saved my life from a very cruel stepmother when I was young. My wife has always stood by my side with love and honesty. My sister use to sneak me peanut butter sandwiches and water when locked in the basement .
I am so sorry to hear that you went through that and I am glad that you have these amazing ladies in your life.
Load More Replies...That's not something to be embarrassed about. There are seven billion people on the Earth. There are some, even famous ones, that you won't know.
Load More Replies...Harriet Tubman is why favorite historical figure ever. A black, disabled women who never lost a passenger on the Underground Railroad, became a spy, and lead the first female lead military charge in the us....she’s incredibly heroic. Florence Nightingale, Jane Goodall, Sybil Ludington (not quite as impressive as the other but she gets no credit for what she did), Sacagawea, Nancy Wake (the completely insane and badass WW2 spy), and Virginia Hall (another WW2 spy who was both female and disabled
Read "Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked The World" (original French title: "Culottées: Des femmes qui ne font ce qu’elles veulent") by Pénélope Bagieu. A lot of the women listed above (and below) are covered. Waiting for the second volume ("Thirty More Rebel Ladies Who Rocked The World") to be made available at the library.
This was such a great list until the Thatcherites came out and spoiled it. The woman was evil incarnate.
Anytime someone calls attention to the breaking of gender roles, it ultimately undermines the concept of gender equality by implying that this is the exception and not the status quo.
Sorry, but does anyone else think that this is a pathetic question? Why is there any reason for men to not have female heroes?
Why the f**k wouldnt men have women as their heros in some cases? What a stupid question from that original tweet!
why are you saying that? my heroes is my friends elaine and nina they helped me adapt to immigrant life in U.S and are still great friends
Load More Replies...