"I am Woman" - Wananga

 

I am woman

This week in Wananga we are learning about International  Women's Day.  We started off by watching this video and it is music video of Helen Reddy singing I am Woman. 

Song meaning:

The basic meaning of this song is to empower women. It was written in the 70's, right when the Women's Movement was reaching it's peak, and I think that was why it was popular. It encouraged and it still encourages women to do whatever they want and to always have that mentality. It means what it says, you are women and you can do whatever you want when you want to. 

Helen Reddy *Her legacy!

Whether it's in a different country, recording studio, on your television screen, or even on broad way, Helen Reddy has definitely made her mark on the world. Growing up in Melbourne, Australia, she was never shy to show business. Mostly because her family was very famous in Australia and her various array of talents, she jumped at every chance of stardom. Mainly focusing on her love of music, Reddy had more than a dozen Top 40s hits in the U.S She was also the very first Australian to have 3 #1 Hits in the same year. 

I am Woman Bio

• The song was co-written by Helen Reddy and Australian Ray Burton
• Neither Reddy nor Burton thought the song would have the impact it did
• The song was originally a part of the 1971 album, "I don't know how to love him" 
• Reddy re-recorded the song to be a part of the feminist movie, "Stand up and be counted" 
• The tweaked version of the song was re-released in 1972 as a single to coincide with the release of the movie
• Reddy wanted the song to show the positive self-image she gained from her involvement in the feminist movement

Why is it significant?

"I am Woman" helped to give meaning to a time when many minorities and groups were seeking new rights and equal opportunities. All of these movements and ideas were a very important part of the culture of that time and helped to define life in the 70s, "I am Woman" was equally important to the feminist movement. No one who has researched the movement can deny the significance of "I am Woman" to second-wave feminism and the impact that it had on both men and women of that time.