5-24-2012
On the heels of the recent report about the advancement of women in radio (see next story), Radio Ink announces that former head of Broadcast Programming Edie Hilliard has been named the 2012 MIW Legend. Hilliard was interviewed for the upcoming Most Influential Women in Radio issue, featuring RAB CEO Erica Farber on the cover -- the annual issue, now in its 13th year, highlights the accomplishments of many women in our industry. Hilliard, in many cases throughout her career, was the first woman to succeed at jobs in broadcasting that had been dominated by men, so we asked her if women are on equal footing with men today. She replied, "How many women are in the '40 Most Powerful'? And how has that changed? Seriously, I expected more progress for women." And she believes there's more work to be done.
Hilliard said, "I'm sure there are some companies where men and women compete on an equal footing, but there simply aren't enough women competing, because they don't see potential. Even the great ones hit a glass ceiling -- or brick wall. I don't think it's because of overt discrimination against women in radio companies, but there is obviously a glass ceiling, and it's not getting thinner. I'm not aware of any serious efforts to address that. And until there are, it won't get better. I was so lucky to get my start with a company and bosses who saw I had potential and encouraged me, and remained friends and mentors throughout my career. It made all the difference."
There's much more from Edie Hilliard in our upcoming MIW issue. And she pulls no punches.
To subscribe to Radio Ink in time to receive the 2012 MIW issue, GO HERE
Reach out to Edie HERE
(5/25/2012 8:07:10 PM)
To even say so may open me up to charges of sexism. But, my bones are hard and I'm willing to take the grief.
Perhaps it is the case that the more women who can attain higher management positions, the better are the chances that we (music radio) might have a shot at redemption.
It has also been said by others and often that women have a better, intuitive sense of communications in general and language in particular. Perhaps it is they - as a group - or as strong and imaginative individual women who will be grasping the folly of radio's approaches over the years and will be more open to alternatives - as they are presented.
Gawd knows the guys have been pooching it for, like - forever?
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