The Women in Media Breakout, part of a series of events for the Dr. Lewis B. O’Donnell Media Summit at Oswego State, brought together three women of color in different media industries to discuss difficulties and triumphs they have faced because of their gender, race and identity.
The session, moderated by Student Association President Omar van Reenan, hosted Gina Iliev, health equity coordinator at Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York; Shealene Guerrero, editorial specialist at Weill Cornell Medicine; and Brandi Boatner, social and influencer communications lead and global markets brand communications manager at IBM Corporate Communications.
The three women spoke at 11:30 a.m. in Marano Campus Center, tackling topics like workplace discrimination, micro-aggressions and pursuing passions.
All three women said that women serve an important role in media industries that is often underappreciated, even when women contribute just as much if not more than men.
“That’s the thing about women in the workplace: they need us,” Guerrero said. “We’re a big majority of the brains and the work.”
Boatner said she uses her people skills at IBM to change its image from that of a 55-year-old white man to one of diversity to suit the present time, including creating three positions that she currently holds.
“I’m not a business person; I’m a communicator,” Boatner said. “The overall reputation [at IBM] is changing as technology is changing.”
Iliev became interested in social justice in Syracuse and at Planned Parenthood for a similar reason – to help push for change and create a more diverse workplace.
“People of color don’t just show up because you said so,” Ilieve said.
Despite positive changes, the women all expressed that there is more that needs to be done. Boatner said she experiences five to seven micro-aggressions per month at her job.
“You shouldn’t ever ask a black female if her hair is real,” Boatner said.
Iliev said that sexism can exist anywhere, including at Planned Parenthood, which is mostly run by women.
“Even at Planned Parenthood, people say all kinds of things to me,” Iliev said.
Being proud of one’s identity was another common theme at the event, and Guerrero said exhibiting confidence and acceptance in oneself is often the first step in making society accept minorities.
“I’m queer, I’m a woman of color, and I don’t hide myself,” Guerrero said. “You have to be who you are, because if you aren’t, you won’t be comfortable in your position.”
Boatner said she is lucky to work at IBM, where she can be her “sassy” self.
“I couldn’t imagine working at a company that doesn’t let me be my authentic self,” Boatner said.
Later in the event, the speakers took questions from the audience, one about speaking up against mistreatment and another about embodying societal expectations. Guerrero said that fighting injustice is an active effort, but it was hard for her to do at first.
“You can take steps to change the course, but for me, I felt like I had limited power,” Guerrero said. “You have to choose your battles.”
Boatner said she often has to watch what she says and does so she does not fall into misleading images society has about people of color and women.
“I don’t want [to be] the angry black stereotype,” Boatner said.
The breakout session served as a way to introduce the women to a small audience of students mostly from media organizations and classes. Boatner and Iliev were panelists at the main event of the Media Summit, held at 3 p.m. in the Waterman Theater at Tyler Hall.
Photo by Jessica Wickham | The Oswegonian
