Regional gatherings recap: November 2014

JAWS Boston: Boston JAWdesses attended a WBUR event with Jill Abramson, where she announced her new startup venture to publish long-form journalism.

JAWS D.C.: The D.C. regional group toasted our very own Linda Kramer Jennings becoming the new JAWS president at our Nov. 20 monthly happy hour. Members shared stories about all Linda has done for the D.C. group and how excited we are for what she will bring to JAWS on the national level. A few members also spoke about highlights from CAMP for those who weren’t able to attend.

On Nov. 18, we had an outing to the Lansburgh Theatre where members saw a staged reading of Rachel Crothers’ 1937 play, “Susan and God,” one in a series of five plays highlighting the work of five women playwrights from five different decades, each directed by a woman.

JAWS Southern California: In October, JAWS Southern California hosted a potluck and chat with Los Angeles Times columnist Robin Abcarian as well as a panel on multiplatform storytelling. These days, with the influx of technology, stories can be told across a number of platforms including print, online and social media. Speakers from a variety of disciplines shared their experiences in working with these different platforms and a few takeaways included the importance of verification, asking clarification questions as well as the need for strong reporting and writing skills. Panelists included Anne Valdespino, food section editor and OCHome editor at the Orange County Register; Elaine Murphy, reporter at Fullerton Stories and contributor at Dream of Italy; Stephanie Stephens, host, executive producer and writer of Mind Your Body TV; Tracy Wood, senior writer at the Voice of OC; and Lynn Selich, on-air personality at KOCI Radio 101.5 and columnist at Newport Beach Independent.

For its November event, SoCal JAWS partnered with Ms. Magazine to host a public forum on women, body image and the media at the Feminist Majority headquarters in Beverly Hills. Moderated by So Cal JAWS member Amy Lieu (editor, SoCal Connected), the lively discussion provided a plethora of diverse insights from writer-editor Ramona Gonzales (TheRevista Magazine, pLAywritinginthecity.com); Ms. Magazine senior editor-author Michele Kort (“Here Come the Brides: Reflections on Lesbian Love and Marriage”; journalist-author Evelyn McDonnell (“Queens of Noise: The Real Story of the Runaways”); and Kelly Redmond, founder of Impact Media & Entertainment Coalition.

Afterward, there was a networking reception and an author book sale/signing featuring McDonnell, Kort and author Melanie Klein with contributor Joni Yung (“Yoga and Body Image: 25 Personal Stories About Beauty, Bravery and Loving Your Body”). Ms. also generously provided free copies of the Fall 2014 issue.

Pia Guerrero, founder of Adios, Barbie, facilitated the live Tweet session at #jawsbodyimage.