One Day That Can Change Your…

Written by Womenetics Tuesday, October 02 2012

The way women are portrayed in popular culture – how does it affect you, your family, your career? Do the violence, the overt sexualization, the unrealistic images of women impact your potential or even your company’s bottom line? In an age of reality TV and tabloids, who are the role models being presented to our young girls and how do these examples affect their self-worth and their goal setting?

Thought leaders, agents of change and creative minds in media and business will travel from around the world to convene in Atlanta in order to take on these kinds of questions as part of the third annual groundbreaking Global Women's Initiative Conference, Effective Leadership for the 21st Century Economy: Popular Culture and Positive Role Models for Women and Girls, on Oct. 4 at the Georgia Aquarium and on Nov. 1 at the Metropolitan Club in Chicago. This half-day event offers a much-needed chance for frank dialogue, international networking and collective change.

Why does this matter?

Unfortunately, we live in a culture where our secretary of state is scrutinized not for her accomplishments on the world stage but for her hair, her weight and her pantsuits.

If diversity of thought is necessary to compete in a global economy and key to that diversity is women, then we must turn our attention to the kind of media climate we live in and how unrealistic images negatively impact women’s success.

Women’s talent is key to a better bottom line, and business thrives when women are consistently encouraged to lead and contribute. But how do we get there? At the third annual Womenetics Global Women's Initiative we’ll examine the steps needed to provide aspirational role models and realistic portrayals that will foster a culture that really does allow women to have it all. Join our expert speakers to share and explore ideas that will create positive change for women – and men – in the workplace and inspire the next generation of female business leaders.

Who is involved?

A powerhouse line-up features a cadre of innovative, global thinkers including:

Pat Mitchell – the media juggernaut whose outstanding career in journalism has been recognized with 44 Emmy Awards, five Peabody’s and two Academy Award nominations. She is currently the president and CEO of The Paley Center for Media in New York City.

Jean Kilbourne – the renowned author and filmmaker who has been documenting the advertising industry’s relationship with women for over 30 years with such explosive works as her documentary series “Killing Us Softly: Advertising’s Image of Women.”

Madeline di Nonno – the executive director of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, which is boldly leading the effort to improve the portrayal of women and girls in film and television.

Pola Changnon – a vice president and the creative director at Turner Classic Movies, who has shaped media messages for audiences of all ages, with previous leadership positions at Cartoon Network.

Edit Schlaffer – the founder of Women Without Borders, who will travel from Vienna, Austria to give insight to how women's voices can create positive change, especially in transitional countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq and India.

Musimbi Kanyoro – the Kenyan-born executive director for the Global Fund for Women, who will testify to the importance of investing in women here and abroad.

Gabi Zedlmayer – the vice president of sustainability and social innovation at Hewlett-Packard, who will fly in from Germany to offer a global perspective on business.

Hummingbird – a Syrian World Pulse journalist, who will share her story and explore the potential of new media to transform the world by unleashing women's concealed aspirations and wisdom.

Creating a media environment that promotes women as positive, strong role models is imperative to the success of future generations in the workplace and beyond. For more information, click here.