It’s cool to be smart

Jesse Epstein

Jesse Epstein

That’s the title Jesse Epstein came up with for the in-the-works NCGS video about the girls’ school advantage. If you or any girl you know has ever been in a situation where it is vastly uncool to be smart, where in fact it is socially, the kiss of death to be smart, you know how important milieu can be for young girls and teens. Full disclosure: In sixth grade Peter Keese passed me a note saying: “Reference books should remember they are never taken out.” The sting of this was somewhat mitigated a week or so later when Billy Voiers proposed marriage at dancing class, and gave me a matchbox car to sweeten the deal. However I have never, never forgotten what that note did to my academic confidence. And in 9th grade I did go to a girls’ school (Concord Academy was all girls back then) where I thrived.

I saw some clips of Jesse’s films a while back, talked to her about her work in education, women’s issues, and especially body image, and realized that she was exactly the right person to make a clever, quirky, engaging video for us, using the recent UCLA research on the girls’ school edge. Her talent, skills, artistry and energy will thrill you, too, I am sure. Jesse Epstein was named by Filmmaker Magazine to be one of the “25 new faces of independent film” in 2008, and she has won many awards including the Sundance Online Jury Award in ‘04. Follow this link
to Jesse’s blog to find out more about her, and see trailers from some of her terrific work.

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5 Responses to “It’s cool to be smart”

Comments

  1. Anins Butler says:

    This will be fun! Give yourself a treat and go to Jesse’s website and look at video she has there for her body image film- the look on the face of the guy who swore none of the girls body was airbrushed was priceless. She looks at the issues with humor and good will and that goes a long way to helping us all look there. I look forward to seeing this film you are having done by her!

  2. Andrea says:

    Wow– watched some of the clips on her website, really thought provoking!

  3. Each and every article is spot on. I commend you, Sally. The writing , editing images and feel of each of these articles is first rate.

    Thank you.

    David

  4. There are several proffesional girls schools in USA that provide different types of professional courses and training programs in various fields. These schools are highly committed to offer quality based education programs to girls.

    http://www.girlschools.net/

  5. bathrooms says:

    Great comment, love the design of the site too.

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