Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/716514
28 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2016 | SAGAFTRA.org was invited to sit on an exclusive panel on diversity at the White House, she addressed the California Federation of Labor's biennial convention in Oakland, and she spoke to audiences of network executives and agents in Los Angeles. Carteris was also invited to address a conference organized by Netflix and Women In Film in May. Her speech, which got a standing ovation, focused on issues facing women, people of color and performers with different abilities in entertainment, an area where she's worked closely with the Geena Davis Institute. Carteris has been successful in breaking a glass ceiling of sorts — her election meant that for the first time all three of SAG-AFTRA's top elected offices are held by women — and she's keenly aware of the example she's setting for her own children. Her eldest daughter graduated from college in the spring. Her youngest daughter is now 17. "I tell my own daughters when they are hesitant to go for something they want, when they are afraid to 'fail' or that they will do it 'wrong,' I say, 'You must stand up for what you believe. Don't let fear be your leader. Take chances, take risks to be and do without asking permission,'" she said. "Don't let others define you as 'just' women. The truth is, it's in the doing that we set examples and create models." Setting examples and forging a connection with the next generation is what inspired Carteris to create an internship program with the Ghetto Film School, a bi-coastal media arts academy championed by a group of entertainment industry leaders, including director David O. Russell. Interns from the program are now working in SAG-AFTRA's Los Angeles and New York offices. "Those are the storytellers of our future," she said. "They're going to be leading the industry in 10 to 15 years and they'll automatically see us as part of the picture." Carteris is also looking ahead to the union's upcoming TV/Theatrical negotiations. She'll be chairing the wages and working conditions committee in preparation for those talks and has been struck by members' enthusiasm for the process. "It's an embarrassment of riches in terms of the number of people who want to be involved in the negotiating committee," she said. "I'm so excited by how many people say they want to be part of the conversation." 6. From left, Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin, National Board member and National LGBT Committee Co-Chair Traci Godfrey, National LGBT Committee member Ron Balaguer and member Kristen Browde join Carteris for the NYC Pride March on June 26. 7. Carteris speaks at a July 13 press conference, urging Cumulus Media, owner of San Francisco's KNBR radio station, to pay fair wages to its employees. 8. Labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta with Carteris at the California Federation of Labor's biennial convention on July 12. 9. Carteris and stunt performer Julie Michaels present a memento honoring Nancy Reagan to Joanne Drake, chief administrative officer of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation on May 18. 6 7 8 9