Celebrating Women in the Media

[Theresa Browning]

I’m formulating ideas for a workshop Sept. 13: Celebrating Women in the Media. I’m seeking positive images and examples of women statewide or nationally. I doubt I’ll have any trouble finding negative images because, afterall, that’s news. If you have examples or ideas to share, please do so. Also any comments on why you found these portrayals important will be interesting. Many thanks for your contributions.

[Cindy Dashnaw]

I really respect Angela Cain, community affairs director at WTHR. She oversees the station's community service projects, which are too numerous just to be easily dismissed as a PR stunt. She also takes pains to give non-profits and community service agencies around town air time. She and her staff have won regional and national awards for their programs, including some on domestic abuse. She takes time to host events for non-profit groups, she's a board member for the Mental Health Association of Marion County, and she does all this while raising a daughter and being an incredibly nice and humble person.

[Dan Henkel]

Let's remember some first-rate pioneers, such as Liz Daily and Bettie Cadou. I can't do justice to their whole careers or accomplishments, but was privileged to know and work with them.

Liz was an excellent TV reporter who set aside daily airtime to manage communications for Pam Carter, who was the first woman, and the first African-American, state attorney general in the U.S. Pam did a heck of a job for Pam, but tragically died of cancer, leaving a husband and four children.

Bettie Cadou was a longtime writer for the Indianapolis News and a trailblazer among definitive Indiana journalists. I met her when she was communication director for the Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management. Bettie taught me a lot--taught all of us a lot--and I miss her. Bettie is a member of the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame.

Other pioneers are still with us. Consider Barbara Boyd, the first African-American woman to report news--and then the first to anchor--in Indianapolis. Bio at http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/biography.asp?bioindex=36

Those are a few. So much talent, too little recognition.

[Theresa Browning]

Thanks, Dan!

[Lalita Amos]

I absolutely agree on Barbara Boyd. In an industry that focus-groups to choose women's attire and hairstyle and "puts women to to pasture" when they're not longer considered eye candy (only slight hyperbole), Ms. Boyd, continued to stay on the air, and defy the then-prevalent standards of beauty and aging.

Her career was a revelation.

[Jane Howard]

Linda Ellerbee has my respect for many reasons....she was in the news business in the "early" years, and while working to break through the "glass ceiling," she always remained an ethical journalist. I had the opportunity to talk with her very early in her career (the mid-80's) and then watched her navigate through a variety of network news programs. But, I really appreciated her move to Nickelodeon and Nick News.....I thought she was exceptional at reporting on international issues that registered with youngsters. She also hosted a TV show with extensive youth participation and discussion - used to watch it with my son as a good forum for discussion about many social issues. She's a breast cancer survivor and has worked hard to increase awareness of the disease.

[Theresa Browning]

Thanks, Jane!

[Rae Hostetler]

Theresa:
Thanks for including me in this question.
I have had the opportunity to get to know Deanna Dewberry personally as well as professionally.
She is an amazing woman. A two time cancer survivor ,she sees her personal world positively and finds the best in every person and situation. As a professional, she focused, fair and on-point.

Other women who come to mind:
Andrea Davis-IBJ: She came to Indy about eight years ago and found a niche in reporting about philanthropy. She's risen into management at the publication. She's a sound reporter and true professional.

Ann Ryder also comes to mind.

I'll keep thinking on this one....

Rae

[Jessica Hardy]

You can visit my website. I have a video called Nothin's Gonna Knock Me Up. It's a comedy music video but it sends the message that women don't have to give in to social pressure. If this is not something you see as fitting, I can think of something else.

jessicahardy.org

Best,
Jessica

[Theresa Browning]

Love it, thanks. If the site has wireless,I'll probably show it. Thanks.

[Jane Howard]

Tell us what this is all about, Theresa....sounds intriguing! Jane

[Theresa Browning]

Jane,

I'm working on a workshop within the larger Indiana NOW (National Organization for Women) state conference. I am, as usual, in charge of the media session. We want the conference to be interactive this year and allow participants to create the ideas for change. With all the changes in traditional media, and the move toward new media, I want us to explore how women can use new media to explore social action. While there have a been a few visible cases of bloggers exposing stories that traditional media picked up, I'm seeking ways to use new media to change women's lives. With the web we each have the power now to connect with others, but how do we use it to impact our government and institutions to better women's lives. Will it save a domestic abuse victim? Bring women out of poverty? Help a woman being discriminated against because of her sexual orientation? Obama's campaign has shown how it can mobilize through new media, but frankly, I haven't been too impressed. I just haven't seen anything all that new there - other than the "change" brand.

Any thoughts?

[Jane Howard]

Whew...a discussion greatly needed yet as you say, very challenging to develop. Really like the idea of having the participants create ideas for change...perhaps there can be some sort of follow-up to birth those ideas?

The "new" media...blogging, etc. only reaches women who have access to a computer..keep in mind that the Digital Divide is very wide. Even if we provide computers to lower-income folks, how do they afford access to the Internet? A lot of classrooms only have one or two computers for all the kids in the class...which makes it tough to build those Internet skills for the future. I think the library computers get an awful lot of use.

We just need to stay aware that the "new" media only reaches a certain segment of the population. Wonder if the Star's Indymom.com offers any hope?

Will be interested to see what comes of the discussion.