Julia Child: Unassuming Feminist Icon

 

Julia Child is hardly a Gloria Steinem, a Sojourner Truth, or a Carry Nation in terms of activism, but, as a cultural feminist myself, I like to believe that women doing what they love with determination and deliberation is an active contribution toward feminist ideology. According to Deanna Sellnow, cultural feminism “seeks to promote as valuable the socialized skills, activities, behaviors, and viewpoints that have traditionally been defined as feminine, and thus trivialized.” What better example than Julia Child, who, in the most stereotyped women’s domain: the kitchen, became the original celebrity chef and best selling cookbook author? Though hardly on the front lines with picket signs and a pink hat, Julia promoted female empowerment by lending credence to what was often seen nothing more than a task or a chore.  According to Michael Pollan, Child did far more than popularize French cuisine in America, but "managed to free women from kitchen drudgeries. . .she made the love of food a less-gendered and more sybaritic subject.”

Born in 1912, Julia Child grew to be somewhat of a phenomenon. Standing at 6’2” and possessing a distinct voice that ranged from nasally to guttural, she was hardly a conventional beauty for the time. During her schooling she preferred athletics to scholarly pursuits and actively participated in tennis, swimming, basketball, and hiking. In 1941, with the onset of World War II, Julia threw herself into patriotic pursuits that eventually led her to become a research assistant to the Secret Intelligence Branch of the Office of Strategic Service (now known as the CIA). This position took her to both India and China. In India, she met Paul Child whom she married. Paul got stationed in Paris and the couple spent time there which is where Julia became interested in French Cuisine. In short, though a housewife, Julia was not quite the everyday garden variety stay-at-home sort. (National Women's History Museum)

Depictions in Pop Culture:

Julie & Julia: Meryl Streep's performance in Nora Ephron's 2009 release "Julie & Julia" is probably the most famous depiction. Streep portrays Julia as determined, focused, and unflappable as she enters Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School in Paris. Ironically, though cooking has often been relegated to the realm of "women's work", gustatory arts have traditionally been male dominated.

This scene says it all:

Julia (HBO series): 

HBO, launched the series "Julia" about Child's rich, colorful, and at times, challenging life. Julia

(played by Sarah Lancashire) is depicted as a larger-than-life, authentic woman who’s lack of

conventional feminine daintiness redefines femininity from something superficial into something genuine

and expansive.

The French Chef: Though both Streep's and Lancashire's depictions are entertaining, I have saved the best for last. Julia Child was simply a woman with a vision. She wanted to make the joys of French cuisine accessible to everyday Americans. Her lack of stereotypical beauty and sometime less-than-dainty mannerisms did not interfere with her dream of appearing on television. She overcame the patriarchal stereotypes and challenges of her time. Her authenticity and irrepressible love of food helped her to defy gender norms. Here she is in a fairly unadorned kitchen set sharing her gift with anyone who cared to tune in.

Question: Who is your favorite unassuming pop culture feminist icon? What is her contribution to feminist ideology?