Synopsis
The Women Behind the Icon - Le Louvre is the story of a unique Melbourne icon, founded by Lillian Wightman in the 1920s and continued to this day by her daughter Georgina Weir.
It introduces young readers to the lives of these unconventional women, to tragedy and renewal, to the importance of communities and finding one's own form of expression. It also talks to the role of women in society which began to change, and how the constraints of a bye-gone era, like those of a corset, were joyously discarded.
For nearly a century, Le Louvre has helped to shape and define the spirit of Melbourne—for fashion at this level is an art form that reflects and can also progress the society in which it exists.
Author Inspiration
I am writing a series of books on Inspirational Australian Women.
I write them for numerous reasons.
I write them as a source of alternate, wonderful role models for today’s youth. Role models that inspire beyond the family, social and traditional media environments that saturate our youth’s lives.
I write them for my 3 boys, that will one day be men. In order to create a society of equality and respect, we must teach and guide both boys and girls, by providing them with appropriate female messaging. The values that we teach them today will form the basis of their future selves. So I write my books to introduce women who lived lives following their hearts and passions. Women who were determined to find expression of their true selves and would accept nothing less.
I also write them for my 2 step daughters, who are looking for role models to inspire and emulate. To understand what it is to be a strong, independent, passionate and courageous woman.
I write these books to inspire our youth to trust and believe in themselves.
The Women Behind the Icon is a story about expressing your sense of self, of courage, determination, different forms of love and ways of being in the world, curiosity, community, encouraging others and it is also about beauty.
Educational Themes
The Changing Role of Women in Society
Inspirational Characteristics.
Discussion Topics
Marriage and Motherhood
What place did Marriage and Motherhood have in Lillian and Georgina’s life? How were they expressed?
What is your view on the conventions around and roles of, men and women in Marriage and Parenting today?
Courage
What is Courage?
When and how did Lillian and Georgina show Courage?
Give examples of other types of Courage and Courageous people.
Generosity
Does Generosity always mean a willingness to give someone money?
What are other forms of Generosity? And how are you Generous?
How is Generosity shown in Women Behind the Icon?
Community
What does Community mean to you?
List all of the various Communities you think you belong to;
Family, religion, school, neighborhood, country, youth group, peer.
How do people create new Communities in today's society?
Who do the existence of Communities contribute to society as a whole?
What would happen if we had no Community, if we were all just isolated individuals?
Entrepreneur
What does it mean to be an Entrepreneur?
How are Lillian and Georgina Entrepreneurs?
Do you know other Entrepreneurs? What do they do?
What is the difference between an Entrepreneur and a business person?
Activities
Design a whole outfit or wardrobe of clothes.
If you were sent overseas by your parents with no money to work and live for a year, what would you do to earn money and how much money do you think you would need to live every day? Create a budget with consideration for housing, food, clothing, entertainment, communication.
Write a business plan for a small new business venture. Think of the materials, staff, supplies, location costs and time you will need. Work out the costs and where the money will come from.
The Women Behind the Icon - Le Louvre is the story of a unique Melbourne icon, founded by Lillian Wightman in the 1920s and continued to this day by her daughter Georgina Weir.
It introduces young readers to the lives of these unconventional women, to tragedy and renewal, to the importance of communities and finding one's own form of expression. It also talks to the role of women in society which began to change, and how the constraints of a bye-gone era, like those of a corset, were joyously discarded.
For nearly a century, Le Louvre has helped to shape and define the spirit of Melbourne—for fashion at this level is an art form that reflects and can also progress the society in which it exists.
Author Inspiration
I am writing a series of books on Inspirational Australian Women.
I write them for numerous reasons.
I write them as a source of alternate, wonderful role models for today’s youth. Role models that inspire beyond the family, social and traditional media environments that saturate our youth’s lives.
I write them for my 3 boys, that will one day be men. In order to create a society of equality and respect, we must teach and guide both boys and girls, by providing them with appropriate female messaging. The values that we teach them today will form the basis of their future selves. So I write my books to introduce women who lived lives following their hearts and passions. Women who were determined to find expression of their true selves and would accept nothing less.
I also write them for my 2 step daughters, who are looking for role models to inspire and emulate. To understand what it is to be a strong, independent, passionate and courageous woman.
I write these books to inspire our youth to trust and believe in themselves.
The Women Behind the Icon is a story about expressing your sense of self, of courage, determination, different forms of love and ways of being in the world, curiosity, community, encouraging others and it is also about beauty.
Educational Themes
The Changing Role of Women in Society
- The Changing Role of Women during the 20th century
- The Roles of Women in Today’s Society
- Women as Entrepreneurs
- Women as Creators of Community
- The Role of Beauty and Self Expression
Inspirational Characteristics.
- Ability to dream beyond convention
- Courage
- Belief in Self
- Determination
- Generosity
- Passion
- Curiosity
Discussion Topics
Marriage and Motherhood
What place did Marriage and Motherhood have in Lillian and Georgina’s life? How were they expressed?
What is your view on the conventions around and roles of, men and women in Marriage and Parenting today?
Courage
What is Courage?
When and how did Lillian and Georgina show Courage?
Give examples of other types of Courage and Courageous people.
Generosity
Does Generosity always mean a willingness to give someone money?
What are other forms of Generosity? And how are you Generous?
How is Generosity shown in Women Behind the Icon?
Community
What does Community mean to you?
List all of the various Communities you think you belong to;
Family, religion, school, neighborhood, country, youth group, peer.
How do people create new Communities in today's society?
Who do the existence of Communities contribute to society as a whole?
What would happen if we had no Community, if we were all just isolated individuals?
Entrepreneur
What does it mean to be an Entrepreneur?
How are Lillian and Georgina Entrepreneurs?
Do you know other Entrepreneurs? What do they do?
What is the difference between an Entrepreneur and a business person?
Activities
Design a whole outfit or wardrobe of clothes.
If you were sent overseas by your parents with no money to work and live for a year, what would you do to earn money and how much money do you think you would need to live every day? Create a budget with consideration for housing, food, clothing, entertainment, communication.
Write a business plan for a small new business venture. Think of the materials, staff, supplies, location costs and time you will need. Work out the costs and where the money will come from.
