The Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College is hosting “Women in Media Month.” Read about how IC students feel about working in the media by the PRSSA Blog Team.

By: Andrew Cornell

Ithaca College’s Roy H. Park School of Communications is currently hosting “Women in Media Month” throughout the month of March. The Park School is putting on several events including the Media for Social Responsibility Mini Course, Women in Media Film Screening, and the Women in Media Panel. IC PRSSA wanted to understand how current students thought about women in media and how the success of women in the workplace inspires them. We asked three current Ithaca College communications students their perspectives on women in media.

Erin McClory ~ TVR ‘17

Q: Is there a woman working in the media who inspires you?

“If I had answered this question two years ago, my answer probably would have started and ended with Giuliana Rancic. Her sheer talent and ability to connect with the audience as an E! News anchor for nearly a decade and a half inspires me. Her ability to work countless hours in the media from E! News to red carpets to Fashion Police all while maintaining a relationship with her husband, raising her son and battling breast cancer is the definition of inspiring in my book. But the more I’ve worked with other women in the media, the more I’m inspired by every single woman I come into contact with. It’s not just about celebrating theGiuliana Rancics, Diane Sawyers, Arianna Huffingtons or Ann Shokets of the media world. I’m inspired by all the women who are making a difference through media while pursuing their dreams of having a family and raising their kids at the same time.”

Q: What is your personal reason for entering the media industry?

“I’m entering the media industry because I want to tell stories. There are so many stories worth telling and lots of people who deserve to have a voice. What attracts me to media is giving a voice to these people. Whether it’s a show about a single mom with 8 kids, a polygamist family, a medium, a transgender teenager or a group of moms who want their daughters to be great dancers, there are countless stories worth telling. You never know what one story on TV can do for someone watching at home.”

Q: Why is this month important- why is it important to celebrate women in media?

“It’s important to celebrate women in media this month because far too often women are pushed down in the industry. What saddens me the most is that women even push each other down. Regardless of your gender, you need to help work toward workplace equality. We all do. By celebrating women in the media we can hear success stories of those who have pushed the boundaries of gender roles and be inspired to do the same.”

Amanda St. Claire ~ IMC ‘19

Q:  Is there a woman working in the media who inspires you?

“She isn’t directly in media, but she plays a huge role in it and that’s Sophia Amoruso, founder of women’s clothing company, Nasty Gal. She is a huge inspiration to me because she embodies the powerful female who made something out of nothing. She built her current company out of nothing and built it into a million dollar company. She inspires me to be true to myself and keep my dreams alive.”

Q:  What is your personal reason for entering the media industry?

“My personal reason for entering the media industry is so I can make a change in the world and change the way people see the media industry and the people in it. I want to inspire other women, the way that Sophia Amoruso inspired me.”

Q:  Why is this month important- why is it important to celebrate women in media?

“It’s important to celebrate women in the media because women in media aren’t always noticed as the main perpetrators of the movement in the industry, so I think it’s important to celebrate them because they are inspirational to everyone”

Annie Estes ~ Journalism ‘19

Q: Is there a woman working in the media who inspires you?

“I am inspired by the work of Amy Goodman, a broadcast journalist and investigative reporter who has authored several books. She has covered major events, advocates for equality, and is a major promoter of world peace. She makes her voice heard and is steadfast in her beliefs and values.”

Q: What is your personal reason for entering the media industry?

“I am eager to promote myself in a male-dominated industry and learn to put myself out there. I want to have the most experiences possible and learn to push my limits in the workplace.”

Q; Why is this month important- why is it important to celebrate women in media?

“The media industry is often dominated by males, so it is important to promote women in the industry and provide support so that they will someday have an equal advantage.”