In roughly the past two decades, the figure of the female action hero has become increasingly popular in U.S. culture. Characters like Xena the Warrior Princess, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the entire pack of Powerpuff Girls are changing the face of mainstream U.S. media with their curious combination of femininity and fearlessness.

In light of this recent development, this panel aims to contextualize, analyze, and assess the gender politics of the female action hero, as an emerging cultural archetype. Panelists are encouraged to consider both the production and consumption of the female action hero, as well as the larger cultural narratives that this figure contributes to, creates, and challenges. What, for example, does the proliferation of female action heroes indicate about gender relations and gender equality in the U.S.? Does the female action hero promote women’s empowerment or follow in a long tradition of valuing women for their fit bodies rather than their fit minds? Does it function as a feminist icon for women coming of age at the turn of the twenty-first century? And, if so, is the female action hero politically galvanizing enough to inspire a new generation of feminists?

Because the female action hero has cropped up in literature, film, contemporary music, and television, this panel enthusiastically welcomes submissions dealing with a wide range of cultural texts and stemming from a wide range of disciplines.

Please send abstracts of no more than 300 words to
eeschust@indiana.edu by September 30, 2011.

Please include with your abstract:
Name and Affiliation
Email address
Postal address
Telephone number
A/V requirements (if any; $10 handling fee with registration)