One of my favorite quotes is from the British writer Gilbert Chesterton: “Thanks are the highest form of thought and gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” My happiness is indeed doubled by the wonder-filled work that is creating change for individuals, communities and the small, fragile world we share.
Women in Washington Get to Work
As Congress became a lot more diverse and female earlier this month, our president lashed out at women of color in the press. Meanwhile, the women of the 2019 Congress got to work in Washington, redefining how representation works.
Read MoreWhy It Matters When Women Lead in Politics and Why You Should Vote
For too long gender has determined who holds the decision-making power in this country and around the world — and that needs to change. Here’s hoping that tomorrow is the start of something.
Read MoreTalking With Tom Hanks About His New Book 'Uncommon Type'
Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tom Hanks about his new collection of short stories, Uncommon Type: Some Stories as part of the MJCCCA Book Festival in Atlanta.
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Taping with Veronica Dagher earlier this month in The Wall Street Journal studios.
WSJ Podcast: Using Media for Social Change
This week, I’m a guest on Veronica Dagher’s Wall Street Journal podcast talking about the importance of mentorship for women, my work with the Women's Media Center and the Sundance Institute, and my own career.
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Ashley Judd (center), chair of WMC Speech Project, with New York Times journalists Megan Twohey (left) and Jodi Kantor (right), at the 2017 Women’s Media Awards, where Judd received the WMC Speaking Truth to Power Award from Gloria Steinem.
How the Media Has Covered #MeToo — And How It Can Do Better
A new report from The Women’s Media Center analyzes the impact of the #MeToo movement rising on news coverage in the nation’s major newspapers. In Year Two, there’s room for improvement in how the media reports on sexual violence and survivors.
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Sign from the Women’s March in London, Jan. 21, 2017. (Photo: Caroline Gunston, Flickr / CC 2.0)
'Rage Becomes Her' — A New Book on the Transformative Power of Women's Anger
In her must-read new book, writer, activist and director of the Women’s Media Center Speech Project, Soraya Chemaly, explores why all of us — women and men, alike — are so uncomfortable with women expressing their anger and argues that women’s anger is one of the most powerful tools for creating lasting change.
Read MoreCity of Joy premieres on Netflix on September 7, 2018.
'City of Joy' Coming to Netflix!
This month, a film close to my heart comes to Netflix. City of Joy is the story of the profound resilience of the human spirit witnessing Congolese women's fierce will to reclaim hope, even when so much of what was meaningful to them has been stripped away.
Read MoreWomen Aren't Safe in Public Spaces, But These Women Are Working to Change That
Last month, I spoke with two activists, India’s ElsaMarie D’Silva and Agnes Igoye from Uganda, about the work that is being done to make women safer around the world. In this year of unprecedented attention to women, we are increasingly aware of their vulnerability to sexual violation, trafficking and other forms of abuse. Will we make those commitments?
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The Tale stars Laura Dern and Isabelle Nelisse and is available on HBO now.
True Impact Filmmaking: Emmy-Nominated Jennifer Fox's 'The Tale'
This week I want to offer space on my blog to a woman I admire very much. Jennifer Fox is a very talented independent filmmaker. For her most recent film, The Tale, which has two Emmy nominations, Jennifer took enormous risks and they are paying off with impact that is changing people’s lives.
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Actress Michelle Yeoh in a scene from "Crazy Rich Asians." (Photo by Sanja Bucko) © 2017 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and SK Global Entertainment
Getting to 50/50 Onscreen: 'We All Lose Without Diversity'
This week heralds the release of “Crazy Rich Asians,” a new Hollywood film that is an adaptation of the best-selling book by Kevin Kwan, which has already sold millions of copies. Will “Crazy Rich Asians” be another Halley’s Comet or a new constellation that lights up Hollywood?
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(l-r) Linda Villarosa, Dr. Deborah Rhodes, Dr. Paula Johnson and Pat Mitchell.
Racism and Research: Barriers to Better Health Outcomes for Women
Once again this summer, I had the privilege of moderating sessions during the Spotlight Health Aspen Institute Ideas Festival. I want to share some surprising and important information that surfaced in one of our sessions.
Read MoreDemocracy in Color: She the People. Women of Color Lead.
Women are rising in America, and in many places, being led by women of color, proving by their votes, their voices and their leadership that they are a force for change.
'Women of Impact Project' Launches Next Month!
Paksy Plackis-Cheng and her impactmania project recognizes and celebrates women whose work and stories deserve greater acknowledgement: women with impact, whose legacies should be held as models for future generations.
Read More13 Books From Favorite TEDWomen Speakers, For Your Summer Reading List
If you're looking for some inspiring, instructive and provocative books to add to your summer reading list, these recent books from from TEDWomen speakers are worthy additions.
Read MoreHow the Supreme Court's Decision on Arbitration Is a Blow to the #MeToo Movement
This week the Supreme Court effectively endorsed the silencing of women in a 5-4 ruling about forced arbitration clauses. In a biting dissent, justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg called it “egregiously wrong.”
Read MoreThis Summer: Go See Women-Centric Films!
Last week, leaders of the Cannes Film Festival signed a pledge to improve gender parity at film festivals. Progress? Yes. But there’s something you can do to help.
Read MorePlaylist: 10 TEDWomen talks for Earth Day
For Earth Day, I collected a playlist of 10 TEDWomen talks that highlight innovative ideas, cutting-edge science, and the power that each of us has to safeguard our planet and make our world better for everyone.
Read MoreThere Is Power in Proximity - Reflections on the Skoll World Forum
There were exhilarating, inspiring, and important connections made throughout the week — part of the magic off putting good people in the same place, ready to share ideas and partner for greater impact.
Read MoreCelebrating Women's History left out of the history books
Several new projects focused on presenting and preserving women's stories previously underrepresented in history books, media and museums are worth seeing during Women's History Month.
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