International Museum of Women Undresses Themes of Fashion, Appearance and Leadership in Women, Power and Politics Exhibition

Calorie-Free P.O.P Campaign Adds Political Smarts in Five Steps

SAN FRANCISCO, April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Museum of Women (I.M.O.W.), a non-partisan social change museum, will confront provocative stereotypes about women in politics in the new global online exhibition, Women, Power and Politics. Launched on March 8, the cutting-edge multimedia exhibition will run until December 31 in four languages -- Arabic, English, French and Spanish at www.imow.org.

Using photography, political posters, podcasts, films, interviews and essays, Women, Power and Politics will undress the question "What does power look like?" and other thought-provoking issues about fashion, appearance and leadership. The online exhibition will present more than 40 stories with a top 10 list of must-see political films by women filmmakers in April.

April highlights also include a photo essay on the power suit - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Princess Diana, Benazir Bhutto, Segolene Royal and Imelda Marcos are just a few of the women that make up the exploration of how the power suit, power heels and power pearls informed their political roles. In an interview, Robin Givhan, the fashion editor of the Washington Post, uncovers what Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton's fashion choices say about their politics.

The exhibition also looks at women who figuratively "wear the pants" in political arenas around the world. From Madam Mao to Margaret Thatcher to Michelle Bachelet, these powerful "iron ladies" confront the stereotype that women cannot lead with a combination of compassion and toughness.

"Why is it that the clothes, hairstyles and handbags of women politicians receive more attention than their policy ideas or political competence?" asks I.M.O.W. CEO Chris Yelton. "By questioning this sometimes one-dimensional coverage, challenging stereotypes and bringing substantive political contributions and expertise of women into the spotlight through Women, Power and Politics, the global online exhibition aims to offer more equitable perspectives of women in power."

Women, Power and Politics connects visitors to stories of remarkable women claiming and exercising their power to transform the world. The exhibition will feature 50 countries -- crossing international borders and engaging a global audience in four different languages. I.M.O.W. invites people of all cultures and political affiliations to submit their own stories and art and join the conversation in its online community.

In conjunction with Women, Power and Politics, I.M.O.W. is spearheading a timely online campaign to inspire people around the world to connect with each other and spark a global dialogue on why women's political power matters. The Power of Politics Campaign (P.O.P) provides five easy steps that people can take today. Steps include connecting to I.M.O.W.'s online community, taking action in your own community to help increase political knowledge, becoming active in the political process or supporting women who are interested in running for both informal and formal political positions worldwide. To learn more about the importance of Power of Politics in the lives of women globally today, please visit www.imow.org.

About the International Museum of Women:

The International Museum of Women (I.M.O.W.) is a groundbreaking social change museum that inspires global action, connects people across borders and transforms hearts and minds. The mission of I.M.O.W is to value the lives of women around the world. With its unique focus on cultural change, I.M.O.W. advances the human right to gender equity worldwide. I.M.O.W. exhibitions, education and events programming are offered globally and locally in the San Francisco Bay Area. Learn more at www.imow.org.