My Artist Statement::
Not Your Typical Material Girl Emilie Colwell
Hiking for miles in the 90 degree heat with the sun pounding down, with humidity and carrying heavy gardening tools isn’t your typical everyday activity. Add washing 400 peoples dishes 3 times a day, inconsiderate of how much syrup they leave on the plate or how much food they leave on the floor— it doesn’t seem like something someone would willingly choose to do. One week of that and two weeks of being a counselor in training. Spending 24 hours a day taking care of up to twelve 7 to 9 year olds. Having to constantly deal with the whines and tears, the picky eaters, the ones who refused to change clothes and, of course, the ones who were afraid of any crawling creature.
When I’m asked what I did over this past summer, people never understand why I smile and say I spent three weeks on a mountain at a summer camp. One week washing dishes and clearing trails and two being a counselor in training and to top it off, they didn’t pay me, I actually paid them. For me it’s not about saying I did my fair share of community service or getting a guaranteed job for next summer, I just love being able to give back and most importantly, be a role model for my young campers. In their eyes, I was the coolest counselor ever, I had all the knowledge in the world and I could do it all.
In a way I think that I can do it all, and not just fit into the roles society puts women in such as cooking, cleaning or taking care of kids. I believe I can be the camp counselor who’s rugged and up for anything, the future medical researcher, the humanitarian and the girl who loves clothes and shopping. My personality and identity is multidimensional. I think that all of these different elements can be combined. Women who don’t fit into the society roles are true American icons to me. One person who I think really does it all and is a true American icon is Madonna.
As a world-renowned pop artist, dancer, actress, and humanitarian, Madonna doesn’t fit your average mom role. In Malawi, Africa; one of the poorest in the world, you would never expect to find the “material girl” Madonna trekking around to adopt a child and help other children. Madonna is an inspiration to me not because of all the albums she has sold, or all the money she has made, but because she is true to herself and helps others. I have been inspired by Madonna for doing so much for the children in Africa and all of the other humanitarians for going and helping directly where it is needed. And now more then ever, I want to go do the same thing. I hope to go to medical school and into research medicine and spend some time working in places that really need it. All of the humanitarians in our world have also been an inspiration for me, and for Madonna too. Without them no one would think to go out and help people less fortunate or have the great ideas to start a new cause that genuinely helps people.
As for now, I believe I am a mini humanitarian with my other multidimensional parts mixed in, not making a difference on a large scale yet, but making a difference at my camp. As well as being an inspiration for the girls I was a counselor for this past summer. Teaching them about the importance of doing something for someone when there is nothing in it for you, as Madonna and other humanitarians have taught me.
1. Tsiko, Sifelani. "Madonna Jetted into Malawi." Gibbs Magazine. 5 Oct. 2006.4 Sept. 2009.
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