November 3, 2016

CENTENARY’S SOCIAL MEDIA OF CENTER EXPERTISE, #THEVIBE, HOSTS TEDWOMEN CONFERENCE “IT’S ABOUT STORY TIME” SEGMENT

Hackettstown, N.J., November 3, 2016 – After Centenary’s Social Media Center of Expertise, also known as #THEVIBE, opened a year ago, the Dean, Kathy Naasz, vowed to start holding events for women and about women in the facility.   True to her word, she held the ultimate women’s networking experience recently when she arranged to simulcast a portion of the TEDWOMEN 2016 Conference themed “It’s About Time” from the Center.

Local female business leaders and students gathered to network and watch two presentations from the “It’s About Story Time” segment of the three day conference.

Dr. Stacy Smith discussed the inclusion crisis in Hollywood after she did an in-depth analysis of movies that ran between the years of 2007-2015 and determined that women are underrepresented as actors, as well as directors.  Dr. Smith provided insight on how each person can take a part in changing this invisibility epidemic moving forward.

Caroline Paul, author of “Gutsy Girl,” who also serves as a San Francisco Firefighter discussed how society doesn’t expect bravery from women and how that norm can be modified as teachers and parents from when girls are very young.

“It is events like this that provide a forum for women to think more deeply about the issues discussed and focus on how they can change the environment,” says Dr. Rosalie Lamonte, Superintendent of Schools for Warren and Sussex County.  “This session provided insight on what can be done to effect change.”

Groups then discussed the topics and shared ideas and collaborated on the underrepresentation of women in film and raising girls to become brave women.

“It is beautiful that opportunities such as this can happen at Centenary’s campus,” says Lisa Baldwin, educator, composer, singer and the spouse of Centenary University’s President Dr. David Haney.  “It was wonderful to have different personalities and backgrounds to come together to share ideas. Both presentations were phenomenal.  We do want to raise brave children who are able to tackle many challenges in life.”

Female students also participated in this unique experience.  Elizabeth Karpinski, who is a first-year Equine Studies student from Mullica Hill, felt that the event was truly helpful in her goal to start the first national sorority, Alpha Sigma Tau, at the Hackettstown-based institution.  In fact, she plans to integrate the theme of bravery into early sorority programs, as well as women’s health.  Alpha Sigma Tau’s main charity will be associated with Breast Cancer Awareness in honor of her grandmother who has been combating the disease.

Ieasha Jones, a Communications: Social Media Marketing student from Bergenfield claimed that the event was “a big eye opener.”

“It was wonderful to be able to collaborate with such accomplished women,” says Jones.  “I also learned that clearly there is some work that needs to be done regarding the representation of all women in film in relation to race, sexual orientation and those with disabilities.  Opportunities like these though will spark the action needed for a different and better future.”

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary University is an independent, coeducational liberal arts and career studies university distinguished by an accomplished faculty, small class size and diverse student body.  Centenary is the only baccalaureate and master’s degree granting institution in northwest New Jersey.

Centenary University’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County).  The Centenary University School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in two locations: Parsippany and Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.  The School of International Programs recruits international students for study at Centenary and Centenary students for study abroad.

 

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