Warm-up Look at the portrait of the girl and create a one paragraph biography for her. Things to consider: What kind of family is she from? What time is she living in? What is she doing at this point in her life? What does her future look like?

Mona Lisa Smile “The story of a woman who challenged the minds of the brightest students in the country to open themselves to different ideas and go on a journey they never imagined.”

Mona Lisa Smile All women’s college in 1950s America. Writers researched the era by visiting the college in New England. Looked in Wellesley archives for photos of past students. Made up stories for each face.

Women’s Rights The suffrage movement sprung from French Revolution in 1789. Controversial throughout the 19th century. Not resolved until the 20th in 1918. Ibsen was a controversial figure of his time. Feminism (1890s) – throughout history women have suffered systemic social, political and economic advantages that must be corrected. Contraception was one major point of contention in women’s rights.

Hoop-Rolling “Originally, the winner of the hoop-rolling race was said to be the first to marry. That changed in the 1980s. The winner was deemed to become the first CEO of a major corporation. Today she is said to be the first to realize her dreams – whatever they may be.”

Is she smiling?