Tag Archives: USA Today

Women’s Media Center: Progressive Women’s Voices

English: Rachel Maddow in Seattle.

English: Rachel Maddow in Seattle. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2013 Dates:

Washington, DC: December 6 – 8, 2013
New York City: December 14 – 16, 2013

Application Deadline October 25, 2013. The 2013 Class will be announced on November 25.

Women’s Media Center seeks women who have something to say and are eager to dive into the media conversations on the important issues of the day.  Are you the next Rachel Maddow? Do you want to become a political contributor who is called upon to serve as a strong progressive voice in the media

Apply Now

About:

Progressive Women’s Voices is the premier media and leadership training program for women in the country. Participants represent a range of expertise and diversity across race, class, geography, sexual preference, ability, and generation. They receive advanced, comprehensive training and tools to position themselves as media spokespeople in their fields, thereby changing the conversation on issues that fill headlines. Graduates join a supportive network of alumnae who support each other in their media goals.

With the WMC’s training and support, over 100 Progressive Women’s Voices experts have been featured in the Washington Post, The New York Times, Elle, New York magazine, USA Today, Forbes, Variety, Mother Jones, the Wall Street Journal, Slate, Salon, the New Republic, the Los Angeles Times; by the Associated Press and Reuters; on Good Morning America, CNN, MSNBC, CBS Nightly News, Fox News, ABC News, CNBC, Bill Moyers, numerous NPR shows; and within hundreds of other top-tier media outlets.

Application Process:

The Women’s Media Center seeks women who have something to say and are eager to dive into the media conversations on the important issues of the day. Are you the next Rachel Maddow? Do you want to become a political contributor who is called upon to serve as a strong progressive voice in the media?  Apply for the WMC’s Progressive Women’s Voices program today! Criteria for selection include:

•Identification as a progressive feminist who is a recognized communicator in your field

•Demonstrated media savvy, political knowledge, ability to converse on many issues

•Willingness and desire to promote yourself, engage in new media experiences, and reach media goals

•One-year commitment to the leadership and training program

Progressive Women’s Voices starts with a highly competitive application process. Women who graduate from the program leave with a sophisticated understanding of the current media climate, what messages work best for different audiences, the most effective interview presentation and techniques, and specific training on how to:

•Position themselves as thought leaders/experts in their fields

•Craft strong media messages and newsworthy pitches

•Prepare for an interview

•Manage friendly and hostile broadcast interviews

•Incorporate video into their work

•Develop and place op-ed articles

Women representing diverse backgrounds, areas of expertise, professions, ethnicities, ages, geographical regions, and levels of experience are encouraged to apply (including those who have previously applied).

The PWV program is extremely competitive. Because of the high volume of quality applications, the WMC cannot accept as many deserving women as we would like. Candidates who have previously applied will be rigorously and impartially considered.

Applications for Progressive Women’s Voices will open later in October 2013, with deadlines for submission to be announced.

Selected participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging. Be assured that ability to pay is not a consideration in the review process. We will be providing a limited number of scholarships so that the program is accessible to women who need financial support. Women representing diverse backgrounds, areas of expertise, professions, ethnicities, abilities, ages, geographical regions and levels of experience are encouraged to apply (including those who have previously applied).

Costs:

Individuals/Small Nonprofit Rate: $295
Corporate Rate:  $1,000
Celebrity/Executive/Patron Rate: $2,500″

Smart Phones and Kids: What Parents Need to Know!

Trying to stay on top of technology seems like a losing race to most of us. Thank goodness for geeks! Especially tech geeks who can break down concepts in plain old basic language. God bless them!. . . So when I  find enlightening post about tech toys, I feel obliged to share. Great information for anyone with a wireless family plan –  Bohemian Home Journal

Post by Jennifer Jolly – December 2012

Handing over a shiny new smartphone or tablet to a youngster is like giving them keys to a sports car and wishing them luck on the freeway. In this TECH NOW, find out how to head off inappropriate content, over-use and even Internet predators with simple steps that even a non-techie parent can manage.

Set the rules. Have a heart-to-heart about the rules of cyber-conduct. Let them know this is about keeping them safe, which is your job as a parent. Print out, sign and post a family Internet contract so that expectations and consequences are clear.

Set up content filters. You can set up filters that even your tech-savvy teens can’t hack through.

Android, Apple and Windows devices have settings or apps that with just three to five steps let you “set and forget” a list of filters. You can password-protect your settings, too, so that your kids can’t (easily) outsmart you and undo them.

Install surveillance software. The next level of protection is surveillance — with the understanding that you’re using these tools to protect, inform and empower your kids, not to spy on them. After all, teens need to learn about the trust, respect and privacy that comes with growing up. For free filters, try K9 Web Protection. It blocks sites in more than 70 categories, including pornography, gambling, drugs,violence/hate/racism, malware/spyware and phishing.

Additionally, the FTC this week said it is investigating whether some apps violate kids’ privacy rights by quietly collecting personal information and sharing it with advertisers and data brokers. The FTC recommends these six steps for parents:

— Try out the apps your kid wants to use so that you understand the content and the features.

— Use device and app settings to restrict a kid’s ability to download apps, make purchases through the app or access other material.

— Turn off your Wi-Fi and carrier connection using “airplane mode” to disable any interactive features, prevent inadvertent taps and block access to material you haven’t approved.

Turn off your Wi-Fi and carrier connection using “airplane mode” to disable any interactive features, prevent inadvertent taps and block access to material you haven’t approved.

— Look for statements about whether the app or anything within the app collects kids’ personal information. If you can’t find disclosures or assurances that information collection and sharing is limited, consider a different app.

— Check whether the app connects to social media, gaming platforms or other services that enable sharing photos, video or personal information or chatting with other players. If so, see if you can block or limit those connections.

— Talk to your kids about your rules for downloading, purchasing and using apps, and sharing information online. And make sure you tell them why it matters.

Jennifer Jolly is an Emmy award-winning consumer tech contributor and host of USA Today’s new daily digital TECH NOW . Email her at techcomments@usatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter: @JenniferJolly