The Florida Commission on the Status of Women is making plans to host our third Gender Bias in the Media Roundtable discussion in June 2010 at the University of Florida, Gainesville FL. Representatives from women's groups, academia, and media, will share with participants their perspectives and experiences in dealing with gender bias or stereotyping in the media, particularly political coverage.

Participants will discuss whether women have been portrayed with bias in the media and political coverage; the impact of such bias or misrepresentation on women; the need to initiate changes in various sectors (including roles that different parties could play); how to tackle the problem and at the same time uphold freedom of the press and expression, and allow sufficient room for creativity; and effective ways to promote gender awareness in the media. 

Program details will soon be available from the Commission website at www.fcsw.net. For more information contact the Commission office at 850-414-3300.

 

The Florida Commission on the Status of Women is pleased to welcome two newly appointed members to the Commission.

 

Senate President Jeff Atwater has appointed Jody Johnston  to the Commission. Commisioner Johnston has been CEO of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida since its inception on October 1, 2007. The council serves nearly 30,000 girls and 10,000 adult volunteers in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sumter counties. She was previously CEO of councils in Florida, Ohio and Alabama. Jody is a lifetime member of the Association of Girl Scout Executive Staff (AGSES), the national professional development and advocacy organization for employed Girl Scout staff.  She recently completed a term as president of the board and was previously a member at large; in 2008 she was inducted into the AGSES Hall of Fame.  As president she moved the organization forward with a strategy to develop its members to meet and lead the future of Girl Scouting. Jody was named among "Who's Who in Tampa Bay Business" (Non-profits category) by the Tampa Bay Business Journal and was a finalist in its "Business Woman of the Year" recognition.  In 2009 she was named Executive Woman of the Year by the Network of Executive Women.  She completed two years as a Denali Fellow in its Social Entrepreneurship program, and participates in several executive development groups, including the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay's CEO Leadership Program. Jody will retire from Girl Scouts at the end of 2009 and will work as a consultant/owner of JKJ Consulting Services, LLC, specializing  consulting and coaching for nonprofit agencies.

 

Chief Finanical Officer Alex Sink has appointed R. Jai Gillum to the Commission. Commissioner Gillum is the Director of Appointments for the Office of Boards, Commissions and Residual Markets for Florida CFO Alex Sink. Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, R. Jai attended Florida A&M University and received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Public Health (MPH). Gillum lives in Tallahassee with her husband, Tallahassee City Commissioner Andrew Gillum. R. Jai is very involved in the Tallahassee community and currently serves as a board member for the Friends of the Leon County Public Library, the Brokaw-McDougall House, Junior League of Tallahassee and the National Selective Service System. Additionally, she is the Chair of the BE$T Project Leadership Team for the United Way of the Big Bend and is a member of both Leadership Tallahassee and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Recently, R. Jai was named one of the "25 Women You Need to Know" by the Tallahassee Democrat (March 2010).  
 

Welcome to the Commission!