As a lover of bourbon and red lipstick, Shannon Bowen was immediately a fan of Mad Men. Beyond the sumptuous sets, costumes, and acrylic hair styles, she loves the deep character exploration and the interesting conversation about gender roles. As the new season begins, she looks forward to both hosting martini-infused viewing parties and discussing the themes of this shows with the Damsels in Discussion! If Shannon was any character on Mad Men, she would be Peggy who is constantly striving to break the glass ceiling–although she would add in a little more street smarts (hello, how can you NOT know that you are pregnant?!), more bourbon drinking, and a crush on Sterling (not stupid Peter). You can follow Shannon Bowen’s real life pursuits as a rom-com screenwriter in Oakland on her Tumblr and Twitter.
Rachael Horowitz watches more television than you do or would ever admit you do. She loves period dramas and it really doesn’t matter what period we’re talking about. Mid-century America? Cool! Jane Austen’s England? Awesome! Beverly Hills 90210 set in the 90’s? Perfection. When she’s not gabbing, she’s working at Twitter and/or chilling out in Oakland with her husband and her dog.
Therese Shechter is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker and writer currently working on the documentary How To Lose Your Virginity. Her writings on women and sex led one conservative blogger to declare her a ‘Brazen Advocate of Slut Culture,’ and she’s fascinated by the pre-marital sexual practices of Peggy, Joan, Faye and the sundry young secretaries, teachers, artists, Eurotrash and department store executives who toy with Don’s manhood. You can follow Therese’s work on her blog, on Tumblr and @trixiefilms.
Brandi Sperry is a Seattle-based writer who also works in education when she’s not devouring film and television and spouting opinions on them. Due to an intense dislike of cigarette smoke and sexual harassment, she is glad she didn’t live in the 1960s, but finds Mad Men enthralling all the same. She enjoys playing devil’s advocate for Betty, and spends more time thinking about the various incarnations of Peggy’s hair than she should probably admit. You can read her written work and hear more pop culture commentary at MacGuffinPodcast.com, and follow her on twitter at @ouibrandi.
