Transcription from “UofL shows free screenings of "Girl Rising" about women, education”

From WHAS-11, March 19, 2013

(Terry Meiners – Interviewer 1): “Thanks for watching Great Day – Live. You’ve perhaps heard the story of the young girl in Afghanistan shot by the Taliban because she wanted to learn. Her story and now countless others told in the film ‘Girl Rising.’”

(Rachel Platt – Interviewer 2): “It is a film narrated by stars like Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Keri Washington. A film about educating girls worldwide.”

[Clips from the film “Girl Rising” are shown, with a voice over narration and quotes. 

(Female Narration): “Malala Yousufzai died, but became renowned for demanding girls be given the right to education.” 

(Male Voice): “Shot in the head on her school bus..” 

(Female Narration): “She was a student who wanted to learn, but now she’s fighting to live.”
The song Skinny Love plays in the background.

(Amina - Afghanistan): “I was 11 years old when my father arranged for me to be married.”]

(Rachel Platt): “It really does give you chills. The name of the film is ‘Girl Rising’. University of Louisville’s offering three free screenings – the event sponsored by the UofL Women’s Center and the Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium. (Addressing Guests) We have a whole slew of folks joining us right now!”

(Terry Meiners): “Indeed! Valerie Casey’s here from the UofL Women’s Center. Valerie, how’re you?”

(Valerie Casey – UofL Women’s Center Director): “Wonderful, thank you!”

(Terry Meiners): “Paula McGuffey from Rauch Planetarium along with us to. (Addressing Phyllis Webb) And your name is?”

(Phyllis Webb): “Phyllis Webb.”

(Terry Meiners): “Phyllis. Phyllis, nice to see you.”

(Rachel Platt): “From the Women’s Center?”

(Phyllis Webb): “Yes.”

(Rachel Platt): “(Addressing Terry Meiners) From the Women’s Center. (Addressing the Guests) Such an important film, you all. Who said we need to get this film here at the school? How did it even come about?”

(Paula McGuffey- Rauch Planetarium): “Well, it’s interesting because Blake Haselton – the dean of the College of Education – received an email 10x10, the 10x10 campaign, which produced ‘Girl Rising’ and he forwarded it to the planetarium, and we were like, ‘yes, we definitely need to do this.’ And we contacted the Women’s Center because it seemed like a natural collaboration between us, and it took off from there.”

(Rachel Platt): “Yeah.”

(Paula McGuffey): “Yeah.”

(Terry Meiners): “And a powerful message here too. We live in a country where we think ‘well, everybody has an opportunity for education, –”

(Paula McGuffey): “Right.”

(Terry Meiners): “ – move on to the next issue.’”

(Rachel Platt): “Not everywhere.”

(Terry Meiners): “It’s like – what?”

(All Guests): “Right.”

(Valerie Casey): “Absolutely.”

(Terry Meiners): “And, it’s mind boggling what this film can bring out.”

(Valerie Casey): “So that’s one reason why the Women’s Center wanted to sponsor this, because it touches on women’s issues all around the globe. So, it’ll educate everyone about women’s issues and what we can do to address those issues.”

(Rachel Platt): “But, have you all seen the film?”

(All Guests): “(Nodding) Yes.”

(Rachel Platt): “Have you all? What was the most surprising thing to you all when you watched this film?”

(Paula McGuffey): “You know, I think even though we hear in the news that girls can’t get an education – that they’re disenfranchised, and those things – to actually hear the stories of these individual children, and what they’ve gone through, it really is a slap in the face and it takes away that ability for it to be impersonal. And, to really take it home to your heart.” 

(Rachel Platt): “And Phyllis, how about for you?”

(Phyllis Webb): “Well, just people – young ladies – not being able to get an education is just – I don’t know – like I said, it’s mind boggling. Being in the States has more opportunities for young people to get an education compared to other countries.”

(Rachel Platt): “And we were talking about statistics. More women graduate from college – at least at UofL – then men? Are those the figures for you all?”

(Paula McGuffey): “Mm-hm. That’s what we understand, yes.”

(Other Guests): “Yeah.”

(Rachel Platt): “But, you said there are some fields though that women still really haven’t fully gotten into. What are those?”

(Paula McGuffey): “Well, there’s a real effort in the country to – for women to go into the STEM fields. So, that’s science, technology, education, and math. And, of course, education is a major field for women. But, there still, it seems that when girls hit middle school, science and math aren’t cool. Even though they might still like them and be good at them. And, so I think schools – secondary schools – nowadays, are really making a big effort to keep girls engaged in those fields. And, that colleges, and I know University of Louisville, has a major initiative with STEM. And, we’re going to be having an event at the planetarium, as a matter of fact –“

(Rachel Platt): “To go in with that?”

(Paula McGuffey): “ –for STEM students in April.”

(Rachel Platt): “Mm.”

(Paula McGuffey): “So, we’re really focusing on that.”

(Terry Meiners): “It’s interesting. This very morning at the breakfast table I was working with an 8 year old – my 8 year old stepdaughter – on her math. And she wants to get into division, she’s wanting to jump ahead. Which, I love that. She wants to get ahead of the class. Which is nice. She’s just still trying to figure out how she’s gonna use math with her country music singing career.” 

(All Laugh)

(Paula McGuffey): “She can sing the multiplication tables!”

(Interviewer 2): “She can count up how many records she has sold! And, I do think it’s funny. Sometimes in our country when we seem to have to push sometimes kids to go to school, and you see the reverse stories where children are fighting to learn in other countries, it really brings it all into focus.”

(Paula McGuffey): “Like the little girl in Haiti.”

(Valerie Casey): “Yeah!”

(Paula McGuffey): “You know, she was so determined that she just kept showing up at the school even though her mother couldn’t pay for it. And, the teacher finally said ‘ok.’ You know?”

(Rachel Platt): “Isn’t that amazing?”

(Paula McGuffey): “Amazing!”

(Terry Meiners): “This film gives hope, too, though, because obviously we’re moving the culture forward – I mean, globally – but there’s just so much work left to do.”

(Valerie Casey): “Right. There’s an empowering message to the film. When you leave, you’ll feel empowered. We need education for women.”

(Rachel Platt): “Will it help me do math?”

(All Laugh)

(Valerie Casey): “I don’t know.”

(Paula McGuffey): “We’ll give you little cards.”

(Rachel Platt): “And names – voices we’ll recognize narrating.” 

(Paula McGuffey): “Mm-hm.”

(Rachel Platt): “Thank you guys, so much. We really appreciate it.”

(Guests nod and thank the hosts.)

(Terry Meiners): “Yes, thank you.” 

(Rachel Platt): “’Girl Rising’, to let you know, three free showings at UofL. 12:15 on March 21st, 6pm on March 22nd – and for $5, you can stay and watch a show at the planetarium, as well.”

(Terry Meiners): “The final free show is 3pm, March 24th, again at the Rauch Planetarium. For more information call the Women’s Center at 852-8976. Thank you, ladies.”

Source: http://www.whas11.com/video/featured-videos/UofL-shows-free-screenings-of-Girl-in-Rising-about-women-education-198975951.html

Transcribed by Stephanie N. Parks, September 4, 2013