Running for political office as a woman in America is still no easy fete even 90 years after obtaining the right to vote. But, today, the Women’s Media Center (WMC) founded in 2005 by Jane Fonda, Robin Morgan, and Gloria Steinem to positively impact the visibility of women in the media, announces a new partnership with Political Parity and Women’s Campaign Forum Foundation to try and make the media accountable. ‘Name It. Change It.,’ a new national campaign seeks to dramatically decrease incidents of misogyny through a new rapid response network. ‘Name It. Change It.’ will start just in time for the November midterm election to help ensure women candidates running for office are portrayed fairly in the media. WMC President and former advisor to Hillary Clinton, Jehmu Greene notes “we’ll work proactively with media professionals and outlets to provide resources for balanced local and national coverage of the elections.” The press conference held at The Paley Center for Media allowed attendees the opportunity to sign the ‘Name It. Change It.’ equality pledge, which media professionals and outlets will continue have the opportunity to sign in the near future. For more information on the new campaign visit the new Website: http://www.nameitchangeit.org/.
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Timothy Dougherty
Hello Jane,
I was thinking on this subject and was not sure it to make comment , but with my professional media background ,I will give it a try.
It interesing try ,giving the opportunity to sign the ‘Name It. Change It.’ equality pledge.
The use of the term Misogyny, was somewhat interesting, but real hostility toward the female gender in media is as real as life. Like most concepts of change , we could view things in many lights both men and women. My screenplay , deals ,int part ,with that subject of abuse to a young woman , and I do take care to give the image a truth to the story. I also have created a real view of two women, that is truthful. Perhaps most disturbing is the fact that media images or people are used as a image product. Media gives us that snapshot of the issues around portrayal of women and girls, truth or not. The problem of media and the creation of a hatred, dislike, or mistrust of women as a type of unreal fact, is a problem. It’s no secret that women compare themselves to the female images they see portrayed on television, film, and advertising. I hope that my screenplay , would be a change. Entertainment media can give us more than the dizzy blonde, the uptight spinster, the sweet madonna and the demanding executive. Stereotypes are shaded more subtly, but they are still there in most media today. Women become more satisfying, because their diversity makes them seem more real.Looking for the opposites that are contained within any one person will help create real portrayals in all media. This become the best way to avoid most stereotypes in media.
Hortense
Does this also apply to Conservative women in politics? I ask bc I did not see any women coming out to say something about the nasty stuff in the press/internet about Palin….mind u, I do not believe in her policies BUT I feel she desearves just as much respect as anyone else who was a sitting Gov & VP candidate…..or, does this just apply to women who’se views are labled ‘Liberal’????????????
Just asking
Kathryn
It is about time this issue has come into focus. Sexism has been endemic in this society–the coverage of the candidates leading up the last presidential election proved that. Making derisive personal comments about any candidate who happened to be female was okay. Sexism is the last prejudice that no one–including the media–will recognize. And while we’re at it, what ever happened to the ERA-first proposed in 1923?
Joann
This is so overdue! I look forward to reading about this at the new website. The best of luck.
L Williams
I think this article’s first line meant to say, “….no easy feat…”. It has quite a different meaning as written!
bitizia
may I give you an example of sexism and
misoginy in Italy?
“you are more beautiful than intelligent”
these words have been addressed in a tv talk-
show by the Prime Minister to Ms Rosi Bindi
a middle age member of Parliament,very much
appreciated and estimmeed for her intelligence,
competence and work.
Donna Houston
My comment is a question. I have been told that I need a hip replacement. I am in dread of it. Would you please tell me if you had what seems to be the traditional type or what I have heard referred to as ASI (I think that is correct). I would appreciate it if you would share some of your knowledge of this surgery.
Thank you,
Donna
Jane
I HAD WHAT, I GUESS, IS TRADITIONAL HIP RE[PLACEMENT. THEY TOOK OUT MY ENTIRE HIP JPINT AND PUT IN A TITANIUM ROD THAT GOES DOWN THE INSIDE F THE THIGH AND ATTAHES TO A CERAMIC JOINT, (BALL IN SOCKET TYOE) THAT, WHEN ON DISPLAY, LOOKS A LITTLE LIKE A HAND GRENADE BECAUSE THERE ARE LITTLE SPINE THINGS THAT STICK OUT FROM ALL SIDES. BR SURE THE DOCTOR SPECIALIZES IN HIP REPLACEMENT AND HAT HE/SHE HAS DONE THOUGHSANDS OF THEM. GET REFERRALS. PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE DOCS WHO BOAST THAT THEIR SCRAS AFTERWARDS ARE SMALLER. THAT IS NOT WHAT’S IMPORTANT. IT’S HAVING AN EXPERIENCED DOCTOR WHO KNOWS WHAT SIZE YOU NEED FOR YOUR BODY.
Marvelous
good idea. hope it works
Nelson
You seem like your skin is so firm…it’s amazing that you have aged so gracefully. I recently saw pictures of you when you were collaborating with the Viet Kong wearing that jungle helmet and taking aim at our soldiers thru the gun-sight and you looked very much like you do today. When our guys were lined up in front of you…did they seem attracted to you or just afraid you’d inform on them? I’ll bet they were surprised when you blew the whistle on them…weren’t they (LOL)
Please consider running for office so we can show your photos to more folks….I am sure they are big fans.
jean-simon
it’s certainly a cliché but some clichés are somehow real : i don’t think Hollywood starts fading clichés about women. I say that with humor i think, but it’s probably true.