As the honored and deserving recipient of the Undergraduate Student Women’s Leadership Award through the 2012 R.E.A.L. Women’s Summit, Liesel Schmader is a force to be reckoned with. She is the reason Miss Representation was able to screen on campus about a month ago, and we collegiettes that saw it will be forever grateful. After she saw a trailer for the film, Schmader was empowered and driven by its messages.
I was excited to speak with Ms. Schmader about her involvement with the movement and its efforts toward understanding the underrepresentation of women in media and its effects.
HC: What is Miss Representation?
LS: Miss Representation [is a film that] premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and aired on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in October. The film explores the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence in America, and how the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to this. Further, it challenges the media’s limited portrayal of what it means to be a powerful woman.
HC: How did this initiative begin–and why?
LS: Miss Representation, by Girls’ Club Entertainment and directed, produced, and written by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, was founded by Newsom after she was exposed to the lack of self esteem in fellow actresses in Hollywood; this troubled her. Therefore, she wanted to create a film identifying the underrepresentation and misrepresentation of women in order to acknowledge and challenge the issues. Furthermore, Newsom personally encountered unfair treatment through acting, sports, and the like. Similarly, having a daughter encouraged Newsom to make this film.
HC: What is your involvement?
LS: After seeing the trailer of Miss Representation, I was empowered and driven by the film; I wanted to spread this important message to others. Thus, I contacted the production company to discover how I could become involved in the initiative – hosting a screening was an option. So, I got in touch with departments and organizations relevant to the issue around campus in order to garner interest. I was fortunate to receive so much support that on February 7th, 2012 Director, Producer, and Writer Jennifer Siebel Newsom came to campus to speak, preceding the screening.
Additionally, I put together and lead a planning committee composed of a representative from the majority of the sponsors and myself. In addition, I make and approve all decisions relative to the initiative, act as the main point of contact, preside over all operations, and garner financial, marketing, and participant sponsorship of the initiative. Since the February lecture and screening, I have remained active with Miss Representation by serving as the go-to person at Miami, writing for Miss Representation’s blog (http://www.missrepresentation.org/blog/), and working on projects for Miss Representation, including Elect Women 2012, a campaign that pushes women to get involved in the political process.
HC: Why is this organization important?
LS: This isn’t necessarily an organization; it is an initiative. It is important because it is a passionate and significant corrective to mass media’s authority. Further, it is a wonderful precursor for conversations about women and self-esteem. Ultimately, it leads viewers to make empowering other women and girls a priority and encourage women to become leaders and support them in the process. Without this teamwork, we will not get to where we need to be.
HC: How can women at Miami University get involved?
LS: Miami women can get involved at www.missrepresentation.org. On this site, they can view the trailer and find out how to take action. Options include taking the pledge, being active with Miss Representation on social media, and becoming an official advocate for Miss Representation. I am considering another screening in Fall Semester 2012-2013–stay tuned and attend!
Follow Miss Representation’s initiative at Miami University at @MissRepMiami. Please contact Liesel M. Schmader at lieselschmader@gmail.com for questions or comments.