Geena Davis and Former FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate Congratulate Jennifer Newsom on Miss Representation Premiere on OWN

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Oct 20, 2011, 02:06 ET

"Healthy MEdia" Commission Recognizes Newsom

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today Geena Davis, Academy Award-winning Actor and Founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, and Deborah Taylor Tate, former FCC Commissioner, Co-chairs of the Healthy MEdia Commission for Positive Images of Women and Girls, would like to extend enthusiastic congratulations to film director and our fellow Commission member Jennifer Newsom on tonight's television premiere of Miss Representation on OWN at 9/8c. The Healthy MEdia Commission is leading the national dialogue within the media and entertainment industry on how women and girls are portrayed in the media.

We are honored to count Mrs. Newsom among our members. Miss Representation, which brings together interviews with powerful women such as Commission Co-chair Geena Davis, Condoleezza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Margaret Cho, Rosario Dawson and Gloria Steinem, uncovers a glaring reality we live with every day but fail to see. The film exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film challenges the media's limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions and for the average woman to feel powerful herself.

On behalf of the Healthy MEdia Commission, we would like to join the chorus of warm congratulations to Mrs. Newsom on tonight's premiere of this groundbreaking film. We also applaud OWN for recognizing the importance of this film and showcasing it. We are overjoyed to have Mrs. Newsom, an innovative and passionate film maker committed to the healthy portrayal of women and girls in the media, working with us on this critical issue.

For more information on the Healthy MEdia Commission, visit www.girlscouts.org/healthymedia or email us at [email protected]

About Girl Scouts of the USA (www.girlscouts.org)
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.4 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls living overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate to Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U (800-478-7248) or visit www.girlscouts.org.

About The Creative Coalition (www.TheCreativeCoalition.org)
The Creative Coalition is the premiere 501(C)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating and mobilizing its members on issues of public importance, particularly in the areas of public education, arts advocacy and First Amendment rights.

About NCTA (http://www.ncta.com)
NCTA is the principal trade association for the U.S. cable industry, representing cable operators serving more than 90 percent of the nation's cable television households and more than 200 cable program networks. The cable industry is the nation's largest broadband provider of high-speed Internet access, serving 45 million customers, after investing more than $170 billion to build two-way interactive networks with fiber optic technology. Cable companies also provide state-of-the-art digital telephone service to 24 million American consumers.

About NAB (www.nab.org)
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.

About The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media (http://www.thegeenadavisinstitute.org)
The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and its programming arm See Jane work with entertainment creators and companies, educate the next generation of content-creators, and inform the public about the need to increase the number of girls and women in media aimed at kids and to reduce stereotyping of both males and females.

SOURCE Girl Scouts of the USA