Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/716514
8 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2016 | SAGAFTRA.org A Letter from the Executive Vice President R E B E C C A D A M O N "I'm proud to belong to a membership that sets such a strong example for inclusiveness and equality." Dear Member, H ave you ever watched a favorite movie or television show and wondered why that scientist, engineer or inventor on screen is much more likely to be portrayed by a man than a woman? When I was young, opportunities were limited for girls to excel at math or science and there were very few role models on screen that showed women doing that kind of work. It is taking time, but I am happy to see evidence that we are changing the culture. This June, at a SAG-AFTRA EEO & Diversity Department and Producers Guild of America panel, I spoke with the wonderfully talented Octavia Spencer about her role as a NASA mathematician in Hidden Figures, based on the true story of the women responsible for the calculations that helped John Glenn orbit Earth. What struck me most about the conversation was Octavia's recounting that she initially thought the story was fiction. When she found out it was indeed true, she was hurt to realize that the roles these important women played had largely gone unrecognized. It is time to begin changing the story. Nowhere was this clearer than at the United State of Women Summit in Washington, D.C. The summit, which featured President Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Oprah Winfrey, Kerry Washington, Amy Poehler and Mariska Hargitay, among many others, was inspirational and uplifting. While it may not be happening as fast as we would like, signs of change are all around us. The number of women holding national legislative office in countries throughout the world has almost doubled since 1995 — although the numbers are still far too low. And here at SAG-AFTRA, which has long advocated for a greater representation of women in entertainment and in newsrooms, it is remarkable to note that this year, for the first time, the top three officers of the union are women. We know that in our industry, women remain underrepresented, whether as television news anchors, in lead roles or as screenwriters and directors. But in talking with attendees at the summit, I was filled with hope. Change begins at home, and in addition to the strong representation of women among our union's elected officers, women make up more than 55 percent of our National Board. I'm proud to belong to a membership that sets such a strong example for inclusiveness and equality. Following the United State of Women Summit, I was privileged to join a group of influential media leaders for a panel session at the White House. Working with media companies, advertisers and diversity advocates from across the country, we delved deeply into issues of gender parity on screen and the importance of ensuring that all our stories are told. We will keep pushing until we see lasting change in our industry, our communities, our nation and the world. In that spirit, I want to thank the members and my fellow officers with whom I attended the NYC Pride March, particularly President Gabrielle Carteris; Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin; Traci Godfrey, national co-chair of the LGBT Committee; and Kevin Scullin, New York LGBT Committee vice chair. This year's event, the biggest ever, drawing over 30,000 marchers and 2 million spectators, was held just two weeks after the horrific mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Emotions ran high as we all marched to show our solidarity with the victims and their families. I also felt honored to march with Christine Bruno, New York Performers with Disabilities Committee chair, along with other SAG-AFTRA members, in the Second Annual Disability Pride parade. Still in its nascent stages, I look forward to seeing this important effort thrive in the coming years. In a world that has been too often challenged by bigotry, divisiveness and acts of hatred, events like these are important reminders that people of goodwill acting together will ultimately set us on the right course. Onward together, Rebecca Damon 80 70 70 100 10.2 7.4 7.4 100 100 100 100 100 60 100 100 70 70 30 30 100 100 60 100 100 100 100 70 70 30 30 100 100 60 70 70 40 70 70 30 30 100 40 100 40 40 100 10 40 40 20 70 70 3.1 2.2 2.2 70 40 40 75 66 66 50 40 40 25 19 19 B 0 0 0 0 100 70 30 100 10 25 50 75 90 100 100 60 100 70 30 100 60 40 70 40 70 30 100 40 40 100 40 100 40 70 40 70 40 40 3 40 70 40 70 40 40 100 60 A 3% ISO 12647-7 Digital Control Strip 2009