Wonder Women — This past Saturday, my wife (Nancy) asked me, “So what do you want to do for Father’s Day?” I suggested that we go see the new Wonder Woman movie. “It seems more like a Mother’s Day movie to me,” she said, “but let’s go.” And so we did.
I had heard good reports about this movie, but I did not expect to like it as much as I did. I especially liked the depiction of the central character. I liked her determination to make a difference in the world, to help others in need, and to face frightening situations with bravery and confidence. These qualities come to the surface when she finds herself in Europe during the closing days of World War One. She repeatedly says, “Take me to the front.” Perhaps the reason I appreciate these aspects of Wonder Woman is that I recognize these same qualities in women I know in my home and work life.
One such woman is Jen Munroe. Like Wonder Woman, Jen is facing a formidable foe, and like Wonder Woman, she is determined to meet her foe head on. In Jen’s case, her foe is breast cancer. In her conversations with me about her recent diagnosis, she has made it clear that she is ready to go to the front and do battle. At the same time, though, she remains committed to working with her students, collaborating with her research partners, and helping me respond to administrative developments. Just as Wonder Woman took the time to help the beleaguered residents of an occupied town even while she was heading into battle, Jen took time out of her schedule today to help a struggling student deal with a suspension appeal. Jen might not have have Wonder Woman’s Lasso of Truth, but she has Wonder Woman’s indomitable spirit. I know that Jen is going to prevail in her battle.
Kudos — As you know, I like to use my Monday Missives to share news about recent accomplishments by members of our department. Here is the latest news:
Andrew Hartley just published a young adult novel titled Firebrand. For more information about this novel, please click on the following link: http://inside.uncc.edu/news-features/2017-06-12/distinguished-professor-shakespeare-publishes-new-young-adult-fantasy.
Alan Rauch recently presented a paper titled “Eyes, No Eyes, and Visualization: Text and Image in Children’s Books” at the Society for the History of Authorship, Reading, and Publishing Conference, which took place in Victoria, Canada.
Quirky Quiz Question — The new Wonder Woman movie is the first superhero movie to be directed by a woman. Does anybody know the name of the woman who directed this film?