In a wide-ranging and spirited discussion of today”™s ever-changing world of media, three women well known in communications ”“ Valerie Salembier, Suzyn Waldman and Paula Zahn ”“ discussed their careers, issues and offered words of encouragement to young women seeking careers in the industry at a roundtable discussion Jan. 17 at The College of New Rochelle.
Titled “Powerful Women in Communications,” the event was presented by the Westchester County Business Journal, Fairfield County Business Journal, HV Biz and WAG magazine. The event was hosted by The College of New Rochelle, Judith Huntington, president. Sponsors were Bigelow Tea, Bruce Museum, Chocolations, Conair, Cross County Shopping Center, Entergy, Michael F. Goscia M.D., Lv2bfit, Red Door Spa and Roam.
Salembier is the former senior vice president, publisher and chief revenue officer of Town & Country magazine; Waldman is an award-winning sports journalist and Yankees radio commentator for WCBS; and Zahn who has held numerous positions in broadcast journalism is now co-host of “NYC-Arts” on PBS and Discovery channel”™s investigative show “On the Case with Paula Zahn.”
In 2011, a study of more than 500 media outlets from around the world published by the International Women”™s Media Foundation (IWMF) found that women constitute just a third of the full-time journalism workforce.
The proportion is even more lopsided when it comes to top management roles within the media, where men occupy about 73 percent of the positions, according to IWMF”™s “Global Report on the Status of Women in the News Media.”
However, the report stated, “among senior professionals, women are nearing parity with 41 percent of the news-gathering, editing and writing jobs.”
The discussion that was moderated by Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson, a partner with public relations and advertising agency Thompson and Bender.
