Panel of female journalists speak on workplace equality
By Ann Shelly // Opinion Editor
On March 19, High Point University’s Society of Professional Journalists hosted the event “Is Time Really Up?” in which a panel of female journalists explored the current media landscape. This event was the first ever women’s panel for this organization. The speakers of the panel included Sarah Blake Morgan, Ashley Stroehlein, Megan Ward and Margaret Moffett. Morgan is the pioneer of a famous multimedia reporter group, MMJanes, Stroehlein is a sports reporter for Charlotte’s WBTV, Ward is the editor of the High Point Enterprise and Moffett is a reporter at the Greensboro News and Record.
Courtney Leopold, HPU senior and host of the panel discussion, began with the question, “Overall, as women in the media industry, have you seen the past year’s ‘Me Too’ movement as a step forward or a step back?”
Morgan was the first to respond, stating, “It was incredible to hear women all over come out and speak. That conversation is changing the workplace, the way people talk and think about women. It has been a positive movement.”
Stroehlein also touched on the Me Too movement, agreeing with Morgan. “I think the ‘Me Too’ Movement has opened a lot of doors and conversations,” Stroehlein said. “However, as a woman in this workforce, I think a lot of people have problems with the fact that it took too many years for these women to speak out.” Stroehlein also spoke on the fact that we consistently see stories of people filing sexual assault charges on cases that happened over 20 to 30 years ago.
Leopold followed with the question, “Have you ever felt demeaned because of your gender covering a story?”
Blake responded first, saying, “You notice little things here and there, but don’t let it upset you. Let it give you motivation to prove them wrong.”
Ward agreed with Blake, explaining how it can be hard to not be upset when treated this way in the workplace, but that she tries to not let that show outwardly. Blake said, “When I let my anger show, the guy who was demeaning me will feel validated because he got to me. Don’t let him.”
For the final question for the panel, Leopold asked, “Has anyone you worked with ever belittled you or made you feel like you couldn’t do a job because of your gender?”
Stroehlein, who works as a sports reporter in a male dominated industry, explained that in a typical day in a locker room, there will be a room full of male reporters and maybe four female reporters on a good day. As Stroehlein described, “A male reporter will think he deserves the right to be in front me in the locker room when I already have my camera set up and ready for a story. I have to stand my ground and prove to him that I’m here because I work for it.”
Moffett added to this, noting, “I have been called hysterical when I hold a male journalist accountable for something they did wrong. Only because I’m a woman am I treated this way. The men are never called hysterical or crazy who are in the same position as me.”
This event for the Society of Professional Journalists had a positive turnout, and they were able to touch on many topics pertaining to women in the workforce. All of these women have had impressive careers thus far and are making positive change toward gender equality.