The First Symposium on Gender in Media

The First Symposium on Gender in Media

The First Symposium on Gender in Media was held in 2008, convening entertainment industry decision makers, thought leaders and content creators to work collectively on improving gender equality in children's media.

From L to R: Dr. Stacy Smith, Crystal Allene Cook, Amy Pascal, Stephen McPherson, Geena Davis, Tom Lynch, Wallis Annenberg, and Brown Johnson (Photo: Michael Caulfield/Wireimage)
Nina Tassler (CBS) and Founder Geena Davis	Jean Picker Firstenberg (AFI)	Aisha Tyler (actor) moderated the Executives & Producers Luncheon
Wallis Annenberg (Annenberg Foundation)	Dr. Stacy Smith (USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism)	Amy Pascal (Sony)
Brown Johnson (Nickelodeon)	Stephen McPherson (ABC)	Tom Lynch (Tom Lynch Company)
Geena Davis at the Open Forum	Linda Simensky (VP, Children's Programming, PBS)	Dr. Stacy Smith presented her groundbreaking research
Doreen Spicer (producer)	Ella Taylor (LA Weekly), Jeanne Wolf (Parade), and Brian Lowry (Variety) offered the critics' view
David Kleeman (American Center for Children and Media), Allison Deegan (WriteGirl), Judy Patrick (Women's Foundation of California), and Gordon Berry (UCLA) discussed how to create a cultural shift		Heather Kenyon (Cartoon Network) spoke about giving female characters goals in kids media
Karen Lee Brown (DiC) on the panel, Writing Something Other than Romance	Tara Sorensen (NGKE), Betsy Groban (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group), Cort Lane (Mattel), Dr. Ellen Seiter (USC), and Dean Aimee Dorr (UCLA) discussed the toy-product-marketing-kids' link
Young women from Teen Voices and WriteGirl discussed their goals		Dr. Kara Chan (Hong Kong)
Dr. Dafna Lemish (Israel)	Dr. Sofie Van Bauwel (Belgium), Damien Spry (Australia), and Marieke Rodenburg (Belgium)
International Researchers Reception

Back to the Resources Archive...

Educate Yourself

Our research serves as the basis for education and outreach programs that help families, studios, educators and content creators to increase positive media images for women and girls. Download and read our research studies...

Show Your Support

We've partnered with Altruette to offer the exclusive See Jane TV Charm. Available in silver or gold, it's the perfect addition to your favorite bracelet or necklace. Also check out the silver See Jane TV Cufflinks. 50% of the net profits from every sale benefit the Institute.

Stay Informed

Sign up for the FREE Geena Davis Institute SmartBrief, a weekly email newsletter delivering the latest news, programs, studies, and events related to gender issues in children's media! Click to Subscribe...

Join Us!

Find out how you can get involved through volunteer opportunities, community building, and annual memberships, or make a donation online to contribute to this important work. Let's make a difference together!

© 2011 Geena Davis. All rights reserved. The Geena Davis Institute is a project of Community Partners, a nonprofit charity exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.