Within the past few months, Netflix released a new series entitled “Shine On”. The show follows Reece Witherspoon as she interviews various strong, empowered women. Witherspoon speaks to and interviews women like Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves, Ava Duvernay, and even women outside of the entertainment industry. The conversations surround topics like poverty, gaining a sense of self, and being a woman in a male-dominated industry and everything it entails.
In each episode, Witherspoon travels to a different place to meet her guests. Her adventures range from going to Venice Beach to talk to P!nk, to visiting West Point Military Academy to speak with Simone Askew, the first African-American woman to earn the role of First Captain at the academy. Witherspoon aims to educate her audience on the difficulties that successful women face, as well as their mighty achievements.
The show’s focus on diversity is done really well. There is a real call to support women, including, and especially, women of differing races, sexuality, and gender identities. Representation truly matters, and Witherspoon uses her own privilege as a white cisgender woman to highlight other women across the board. Her attitude is very encouraging and is something we must all reflect upon and do, as well.
Each episode of “Shine On” lasts only about 25 minutes, making it an easy, albeit powerful, view that is definitely worth watching.