March 18, 2024
Ferris State Panel Looks at How Women are Portrayed in the Media
International Women’s Day has its origin in early 20th Century causes, striving for establishment of workers’ rights and United States women earning their place at the polls.
A collaborative discussion hosted by Ferris State University’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center from 4 to 5 p.m. March 18 in the Founder’s Room of the David L. Eisler Center to consider current portrayals of women in mass media, among other topics.
Associate professor of Technical and Professional Communication Zoe Ann Wendler will be joined by Ferris State Torch Editor-in-Chief Jessica Oakes for what Resource Center coordinator Becca Osborne describes as a “podcast-style discussion” offered as part of the university’s Women’s History Month programming.
Wendler said 2024 Academy Awards results serve as a snapshot of mass media’s varied levels of objectivity in terms of how women are viewed and accepted.
“’The Barbie Movie’ was a social and cultural phenomenon in 2023, with real care taken to present a graphic depiction of women’s struggles,” Wendler said. “I felt ‘seen’ thanks to this movie, it drew me in as I watched it several times, it brought me to tears. Compare that to ‘Oppenheimer,’ where female characters were little more than a footnote in the portrayal. Those deciding on ‘the Oscars’ sided with the latter message, which I thought was very telling.”
Oakes, from Roscommon, is a senior graduating in May with a Bachelor of Science in Technical and Professional Communication and a History minor. Jessica said she has known Wendler throughout her time on the Ferris campus.
“I am very excited to be a part of this since Zoe has been my one of my instructors, leading us in so many interesting classroom discussions,” Oakes said. “She has published works related to women’s history and women’s issues throughout her career, so I am looking forward to joining her in a worthwhile exchange on a variety of ideas.”
“The feminist perspective is not widely embraced and accepted, mass media often denigrates women and female authors almost always have to make their way in science fiction or fantasy genres, instead of more prestigious areas,” Wendler said. “I am not in an ‘us versus them’ mentality but am very interested in exploring women’s issues related to intersectionality, so we can communicate freely, collaborating in the name of greater societal equity.”
Ferris students were on Spring Break as International Women’s Day was observed on Friday, March 8. Those requiring assistance to attend the March 18 program in the Eisler Center’s Founder’s Room are asked to contact Osborne by email or by calling (231) 591-2663.