Women's Intellectual Contributions to the Study of Mind and Society

Students, as part of an advanced seminar, examined and wrote about the lives of these women, their intellectual contributions, and the unique impact and special problems that being female had on their careers.
For information about referencing this paper - Click Here


Jean Kilbourne
Jean Kilbourne received a full scholarship to Wellesley College and graduated with a B.A. in English (Kilbourne, 1999). After graduation Kilbourne spent time in Europe where she worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation. She has also worked as a secretary, a model, and a writer. She went on to earn a doctorate in education from Boston University (Kilbourne, 2002). Kilbourne began her career of educating in early 1976 when she lectured for students at an academy on the effects of advertising and gender stereotypes in the media (Kilbourne, 1999).

Jean Kilbourne is perhaps best known for her videos that are based on her lectures. She has three volumes of the film Killing Us Softly (2000), a video that address how advertising depicts women over a twenty year span of time (Kilbourne, 2002). Jean has several other films such as Slim Hopes: Advertising and the Obsession with Thinness (1995), and Pack of Lies: The Advertising of Tobacco (1992).

Kilbourne has published books, articles, editorials, and contributed chapters to books (Kilbourne, 2002). In her book, Can't Buy My Love: How Advertising Changes the Way We Think and Feel (1999), Jean writes how advertising effects gender roles, alcohol and substance addition, relationships, violence, and the objectification of women and men.

Kilbourne has lectured at colleges, universities, conferences, and organizations. She has won awards for her speaking as well as for her videos. Kilbourne has been an advisor for two surgeon generals, served on advisory boards as well as a director on boards (Kilbourne, 2002).

Psychologist Mary Pipher writes (Kilbourne, 1999), "Americans think we know about advertising, but we don't. Our very complacency leaves us vulnerable. And developing countries urgently require education about the true costs of advertising. They need to learn not only that all that glitters is not gold, but also that it is sometimes poison. Kilbourne is our best, most thoughtful, most compassionate teacher" (13).

References

Back to Women's Page