Women in Business, Jobs, Women Entrepreneurs, Women in the News: News On Women

Gail Harrity Named President of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art appointed Gail Harrity as the Museum’s President and Chief Operating Officer. Gail, who holds an MBA in Public and Private Management from the Yale School of Management, had been the Museum’s Chief Operating Officer. Before that, Ms. Harrity was the Deputy Director at New York’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, where she was project director for the Museum in planning for the Frank O. Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain. Read more about it in the Museum press release.

Ana Meier Designs Furniture Collection

Ana Meier, who holds a BA in the History of Art and Architecture from Harvard, is designing a new line of furniture with Charlie Ferrer, a Los Angeles interior designer. The collection is called Meier/Ferrer Furniture. Read more about it in the article by Marianne Rohrlich on nytimes.com.

Mary Schmidt Campbell and Margo Lion Appointed to The President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities

President Obama appointed Mary Schmidt Campbell (pictured) and Margo Lion to serve on The President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Mary has been Dean of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts since 1991. Margo is an adjunct professor and a member of the Dean's Council at the NYU-Tisch School of the Arts, and her productions have won 20 Tony Awards, 4 Olivier Awards and 1 Pulitzer Prize. Read more in the White House press release.

Mary Tompkins Lewis Shares Her Expertise on Art

Mary Tompkins Lewis, Art Professor at Trinity College, writes about the Diego Velazquez masterpiece, "Las Meninas" in the Wall Street Journal. I have always loved this painting and so enjoyed her artistic intrepretation of it. Read Mary's article on wsj.com.

Rugby Ralph Lauren Joins "Nest" to Celebrate Women Artisans Saturday, August 8, in East Hampton

Rugby Ralph Lauren, in partnership with “Nest” - a nonprofit organization that empowers female artists and artisans, will host a charity event benefiting the "Nest" female artisans and their families on Saturday, August 8, 2009 in East Hampton, New York. A selection of the artists’ handcrafted merchandise and indigenous crafts will be showcased throughout the Rugby Ralph Lauren Store at 32 Main Street in East Hampton.

“Nest” uses a combination of interest-free microfinance loans, mentoring from established designers, and connections to markets for the crafts in order to help its artisans build their small businesses. Rebecca Kousky, Executive Director and Founder of the "Nest" had this to say about the event: “Rugby by Ralph Lauren has a wonderful history of being very generous and charitable-minded. One of their staff learned about Nest and thought that the combination of our work with women artists and designers - and their clothing and accessory line - was ideal. It has been a pleasure to work with them and we are very excited for the event!"

The Rugby Ralph Lauren event will feature a 10% discount off of merchandise for all shoppers, and 10% of all proceeds gained that night will be donated to "Nest". 

Women's Plays More Profitable According to Emily Glassberg Sands

A new study by Princeton graduate Emily Glassberg Sands examines whether there is descrimination in American Theatre. While there is a lot of data to sift through, Emily's finding that women's plays are more profitable is definitely worth writing about.

Patricia Cohen of the NYTimes writes about the three parts of Emily's research - 1. how many women playwrights get produced, 2. the quality of the women's plays, and 3. how do women's plays fare on Broadway. Patricia reports on Emily's conclusions: 1. more men write more plays so producers are more likely to choose plays by men 2. women writers are judged more harshly by women artistic directors and women literary managers 3. women plays are more profitable. Read Patricia's article on nytimes.com.

Terry Teachout of the Wall Street Journal (who happens to be a guy) cuts right to the chase on Emily's research. He says you can study gender bias all you want but what gets produced on Broadway are middle-of-the-road scripts with commercial appeal. Read Terry's article on wsj.com.

Emily's research shows us that there is hope and a way forward. Since women's plays are profitable, there are few excuses to not produce more plays by women. Producers need to avoid the middle-of-the-road trap described above. Theater has never been about the middle of the road. I am suspect of the results showing descrimination of women against women and would like to see further research and clarification on that covering variables like play/topic interest, age, economic background etc. It seems Emily's work has only just begun.

Sramana Mitra Writes on Entrepreneurs and Their Adventures

I just began Sramana Mitra's Book, "Bootstrapping: Weapon of Mass Reconstruction". I've actually finished reading the book, but I use the phrase "just began" because the book made me feel like I just began the "Entrepreneur Journey" she describes so well. Sramana's book is a series of interviews she conducts with several entrepreneurs who give great advice accumulated from years of experience starting companies. I jotted down some points I didn't want to forget as I read. When I reached point #34, I realized I should just reread the book whenever I need inspiration. I won't pick out a favorite piece of advice, but I will say that proper focus on the customer came up again and again. I now have a waiting list to borrow my copy. I would like to hear your favorite piece of advice if you read it.

Sramana, who holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT, is a Technology Entrepreneur and Strategy Consultant as well as an Author. She also has a blog, SramanaMitra.com. Read her article on Venture Capital on Forbes.com. 

Katherine Farley Made Chairwoman of New York's Lincoln Center

Lincon Center for the Performing Arts in New York appointed Katherine Farley its Chairwoman. Katherine is a Senior Managing Director at Tishman Speyer. Read more about it in the article on nytimes.com.

Film Producers Elizabeth Redleaf and Christine Kunewa Walker Ask the Right Questions!

Movie producers Elizabeth Redleaf and Christine Kunewa Walker have loved film all their lives. Now they have started Werc Werk Works, their own film production company, and couldn’t be happier. Their vision of supporting artists and rewarding profit partners in films reflects the changes needed in a movie business facing a new economy.

Today, resources are limited and everyone needs to think about things differently. Elizabeth and Christine believe women are particularly good at coming to the industry with a different perspective. They find themselves repeatedly asking “Why can’t we do it differently than before?” Elizabeth and Christine believe creative marketing strategies that identify new audiences and new revenue streams in film distribution are the hope of the future. They are also looking at emerging technologies for solutions to the age old problems of the movie business.

At Werc Werk Works, their goal is to keep control of the rights to the movies they produce and to have some control over how the films are marketed. Werc Werk Works concentrates on films costing in the $1 million to $5 million range and will in some cases put up 50 to 100% of the financing. This strategy allows Elizabeth and Christine to greenlight projects faster. They also concentrate on controlling costs, encouraging directors to stay on budget. They believe films can be done more efficiently without sacrificing creativity. What makes Werc Werk Works unique is their relationship with artists and directors, helping them to focus on the business side of the business and rewarding them appropriately. Werc Werk Works is currently producing and financing Todd Solondz’s upcoming feature “Life During Wartime”, now in post-production, Bella Tarr’s “The Turin Horse”, now in production, and “Howl” starring James Franco, now in post-production.

Elizabeth and Christine, each with three children, are extraordinary women who met through common interests. Read their bios on wercwerkworks.com.

Could that mother sitting near you at a film society event be your next partner? Stranger things have happened. Partners can be found in the most unusual – or should I say usual – places.

We Believe in Women in Business and so do Claire Shipman and Katty Kay

Claire Shipman and Katty Kay believe in the power of women. Why women? Women have a more collaborative management style, high education levels and a lot of purchasing clout. These are three of the reasons why Claire and Katty believe women will rule business in the future. They even wrote a book about it called Womenomics:Write Your Own Rules For Success. Read their article - "Women Will Rule Business" - on time.com. Claire is the Senior National Correspondent for ABC News’ Good Morning America. Katty Kay is the Washington Correspondent and Anchor for BBC World News America. Claire and Katty will be at the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT on June 9, 09 as part of the WSHU Public Radio "Join the Conversation" lecture series to discuss their book.

Phyllis Tuchman Writes about Photographer Gerda Taro

"Until a sterling exhibition of her photographs made between August 1936 and July 1937 opened at New York’s International Center of Photography a year and a half ago, Gerda Taro was all but forgotten. Although some of her images from the Spanish Civil War were published decades ago, she mostly was known as the companion of Robert Capa, one of the all-time greats of war photography. Because so few pictures by Taro seemed to exist—her body of work was assumed to have been lost—many critics and curators thought the newsmagazine spreads that the dashing couple co-signed were by Capa. When the ICP show called attention to unfamiliar prints by Taro, some commentators started to suspect that images previously associated with Capa actually may have been taken by his astonishing student. The discovery of even more negatives, as reported this week in the New York Times, should bring even more accolades Taro’s way. Already, a NYT headline writer has referred to her as one of “photography’s Old Masters.”

"With camera and courage, Gerda Taro -- La Pequena Rubica (little redhead) -- charged the frontlines of the Spanish Civil War. The photographs she took, exciting, intimate, and political, outlived her short life. She was killed at 26, struck by a retreating tank. And then her artistic work suffered a death of its own, disappearing from view for decades"....Read the rest of the article by Phyllis in which she describes the life and times of photographer Gerda Taro.

 

Fashion Icons at The National Museum of Women in the Arts

The National Museum of Women in the Arts has two exhibitions featuring icons of the fashion world. The exhibition, Mary McFadden: Goddesses, compares fashion with cultural studies and ancient history, exploring the relationship between traditions of the past and styles of the present. (Exhibition runs through August 30,2009.) There is also an exhibition of the works of American photographer Louise Dahl-Wolfe, whose sense of humor and personality enhanced the fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar. (Exhibiton runs through August 30,2009.) The museum is located at 1250 New York Ave., NW  Washington, DC.

Chere Estrin Starts New Magazine Called SUE

Chere Estrin, who is the Author of  "Hot Jobs and Amazing Careers: Smart Moves for Legal Professionals" as well as a seminar leader and entrepreneur, has started a new magazine for women in litigation called "SUE". SUE Magazine is a bi-monthly electronic publication aimed at women litigators in law firms and in-house legal departments. Chere tells us:  "I have been an entrepreneur in the legal field for quite some time and felt it was time for a publication that addressed women's issues and served as a resource for strengthening skills." The current issue of "SUE" includes articles on Gender Differences in the Courtroom, Women Lawyers Working Overseas, and Marketing in the New Economy. Read more about it on...www.suemagazine.com.

Women Win a Number of 2009 Pulitzer Prizes

The 2009 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished fiction by an American author has been awarded to Elizabeth Strout (pictured) for "Olive Kitteridge" (Random House). The Pulitzer Prize for a distinguished play by an American author went to Lynn Nottage for “Ruined”. The Pulitzer Prize for a distinguished and appropriately documented book on the history of the United States went to “The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family,” by Annette Gordon-Reed (W.W. Norton & Company). Read more about these and other 2009 Pulitzer Prize winners on pulitzer.org.

Mary Tomkins Lewis Examines Cezanne's Influence

Mary Tomkins Lewis, Author of "Cezanne" and "Cezanne's Early Imagery" and an Expert on Impressionism, writes about the Paul Cezanne Exhibit, "Cezanne and Beyond", now at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mary tells us how the exhibit showcases Cezanne's influence on other painters, demonstrating his role as a Father of Modern Art. Read Mary's insightful article in the Wall Street Journal. (Painting of Mme Cezanne by her Husband.)

Virginia Johnson Artistic Director at Dance Theatre of Harlem

The world renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem has chosen Virigina Johnson, one of their former ballerinas, as their new Artistic Director.

Virginia is a founding member of the Company and a former Editor of Pointe Magazine.

Read more about it in the article by Gia Kourlas on nytimes.com.

Olympic Swimmer Dara Torres Dares Us to Reach our Goals

Dara Torres,  the first swimmer from the United States to compete in five Olympics: 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, and 2008 (winning medals to boot!) celebrates her 42nd birthday with a new book, Age is Just a Number. Dara is an amazing example of setting goals and achieving them, motivating us and encouraging us to stay fit.

"I'm so proud of this book. I have thousands of women all over the country who say I inspire them. In fact its all the working and full time moms that inspire me. My book is dedicated to them."

Read the prologue of Dara's new book on swimnetwork.com.

Celebrate Women Poets for National Poetry Month in April

April is National Poetry Month, and last week I attended the Academy of American Poets 7th annual "Poetry & the Creative Mind" event at Lincoln Center in New York. There were women and men from all walks of life reading some of their favorite poetry. It was a great night highlighted by Chip Kidd reading (or rather singing!) Emily Dickinson and Joan Baez not only reciting her own poetry but singing her songs. Let's celebrate women poets this month. Share with us your favorite poet or a poem of your own creation. Check out poets.org for more events in honor of National Poetry Month and to sign up for Poem-A-Day in April.

These Artists Should Read NewsonWomen!

Stephanie Cohen of the NYPost wrote her article about who's in the 2006 painting Discussing the Divine Comedy with Dante by Dai Dudu, Li Tiezi and Zhang An, but forgets to point out who isn't. While they remembered to put themselves in, of the 103 "history heavies" the artists included only a few are women. And what women did they remember? - Shirley Temple and Audrey Hepburn? I love these women, but I have to say history is being gypped.

 

Can you guess who these people (or should I say men?) are? If you can't name them, check out the cliptank copy which gives you the answers when you click on each individual. What women would you have included?

Mary Tomkins Lewis Tells of the Importance of History in Art

Mary Tomkins Lewis, Author of "Cezanne" and "Cezanne's Early Imagery" and an Expert on Impressionism, writes in today's Wall Street Journal about J.M.W. Turner's beloved painting, "The Fighting Temeraire". Her words remind us of the importance of history to art, as she conjures up images of past battles and mighty ships left behind. Read her amazing article on wsj.com. The painting is housed in the National Gallery in London.