Speak
Out
How do
you feel about the women’s and men’s networking events
being changed this year to be open to everyone?
“I
have mixed feelings about it. I was one of the early people years
ago that helped create a women’s event because so many women
came up to me at conventions and said they felt overlooked and they
said, ‘Why don’t we have our own event?’ Personally,
I always loved the women’s event because it was our time and
they were always great fun. Every kind of party we have at the convention
is fun. But to be totally honest, I’ll miss it, because I like
the energy of having one thing in the convention that’s just
all-female because the organization is predominantly male and it
just gives us a chance to be alone together, although I’m sure
it’ll be great either way.”
— Gail Shister, television columnist,
The Philadelphia Inquirer
“I
think I would still like to keep the programs separate. My understanding
is it’s kind of separate anyway. We need that time apart from
each other.”
— Deb Woodell, sports copy editor,
Philadelphia Daily News
“I
kind of like having it all together. It’s important having
that bigger picture. We’re not in this little vacuum. It’s
important to be aware of it all.”
— Jesi Hirsch, wellness coach, Inner
Quest
“I’m
glad. I think it’s a positive development. I think separation
today has less of a place today than it once did.””
— Marc Breindel, research producer,
Nevada Public Radio
“I
didn’t see a whole lot of women at our event last night. I
don’t think it has changed. But I think it’s great we
try to build bridges and be inclusive.”
— Mike Atienza, adviser, Queeriosity
Newsmagazine
“Well
I have to admit it’s nice for women in particular to have a
separate space for women’s issues. It’s also important
to me as a trans woman. Men are at the top of the food chain and
there is a disparity between the pay and number of women in the newsroom.
On the other hand I’m proactive when it comes to being diverse
and bringing different groups together to work. Journalism is what
should come first, not gender”
— Rebecca Juro, Freelance Writer