UPDATE: Thanks to you, #AskHerMore sparked a global conversation at last night’s Democratic Debate. With more than five million impressions, we called out sexist reporting and suggested ways to re-focus on women’s achievements. Learn more about last night’s success here and continue to encourage reporters, media outlets, and more to #AskHerMore throughout the Presidential election.
On Friday, January 20, 2017, there is a chance that we’ll inaugurate our first female President; a 228-year win in the making. From history we know media coverage and bias play a huge role in shaping those votes. In order to move forward, we need to push back when there is sexist media coverage, like when reporters ask women more questions about their appearance, families, and whether they are tough enough to handle it all, than about the issues they are campaigning on.
Having recently witnessed how #AskHerMore transformed the red carpet by holding reporters accountable, we asked: “why not use the same approach now?” So today, we urge you to watch the first Democratic National debate from 8pm to 11pm ET (live streaming on CNN.com). Then, join us and follow along with the election coverage to call out sexist and misogynistic reporting, and to suggest ways to re-focus on women’s achievements using the hashtag #AskHerMore. Need more inspiration? Read and share our op-ed “#AskHerMore Worked on the Red Carpet. It Can Work for Presidential Candidates, Too.”
This isn’t about partisanship. Or endorsing any given candidate. It’s about making room, holding space, and blazing trails — in partnership with you — for a culture and systems that value and model equality. Together, we can challenge and overcome limiting stereotypes in our media, our politics, and beyond for a better society for all.
Onwards,
Jennifer Siebel Newsom & The Representation Project team