As we wrap up Women’s History Month, we are taking a look back at the women in our industry who paved the way for so many of us. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, women make up 67% of the public relations workforce. Female communicators are a force, and we have our mentors, our peers, and many of these women to thank for the progress that’s been made in our profession.
Ida B. Wells started her career as a teacher in Memphis, but after being forcibly removed from a train for refusing to give up her seat in the first-class car, she became an investigative journalist focused on exposing racial injustice. Wells wrote extensively about lynching, bringing national attention to the issue. She also fought for women’s suffrage and worked with Susan B. Anthony and other prominent suffragists in addition to founding the National Association of Colored Women’s Club.
Betsy Plank is widely regarded as the “First Lady of PR” for her significant contributions to the industry. She helped to establish the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and she received the Arthur W. Page Society’s Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award. Plank was an advocate for higher education in public relations and played a key role in the establishment of the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations at the University of Alabama.
Mila Albertsons, Tracy Telego, Mary Dyess, & Ellen Werther: Founders of WWPR
In 1980, a group of women headed by Mila Albertson, Tacy Telego, Mary Dyess, and Ellen Werther placed an ad in a local trade publication seeking participants to form a network for women working in communications and related fields in the Washington, D.C. area. Thirty-five women responded, and they held their first meeting at the old YMCA in downtown, on a hot summer day without air conditioning. Six years later, WWPR became a nonprofit corporation.
Barbara Gardner Proctor began her career as a teacher before becoming one of the few Black women to own an advertising agency in the United States. Her agency, Proctor & Gardner, was founded with no partner. She used her maiden name to give the appearance of a male associate.
Proctor was known for creating innovative campaigns that challenged stereotypes and highlighted the diversity of Black culture. She was also a champion of diversity in the advertising industry and mentored many young professionals. Proctor was named the Chicago Advertising Woman of the Year and was cited by President Ronald Reagan in his State of the Union address.
Maggie Moore is a Senior Communications and Events Manager at Partnership for Public Service and serves on the WWPR Board as Co-chair on the Pro Bono Committee
[Watch Video] Maggie shares what she likes to do outside of work and her word for the year.
Tell me about your background and what drew you to your current position.
I work as the senior events and communications manager at the Partnership for Public Service, a position I’ll have held for two years this May. Prior to the Partnership, I was a communications officer at the U.S Agency for International Development, a highly rewarding but high intensity job that focuses on humanitarian disasters around the world. I was ready to leave the government, but not public service and found a mission-driven nonprofit that focuses on helping the federal government do its job better!
Describe a typical day at work.
What I love about event management – and communications in general – is that no day is the same and you get to interact with every aspect of your organization. My days usually start with a few newsletters, Axios and Politico, and a few podcasts, the Daily and Up First, while I commute to work. After some email triage, I’m usually supporting an event, which usually focuses on vendor management – catering, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters – and helping to troubleshoot any last-minute issues. If there isn’t an event, I’m planning for events coming up in the next two weeks to six months. That usually entails meeting with my communications counterparts and the program team to ensure everyone is on track with their event-related deliverables. Because there are so many events happening, and at various stages, I live and die by my calendar and project management tool, Asana “my tasks” to know what’s taking top priority of the day. In addition to events, I manage the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals (Sammies), which recognize career federal employees for their incredible work. Depending on the time of year, I’m either doing outreach for nominations, reviewing nominations, or coordinating various events and media for the honorees.
What is the most exciting or rewarding project you have done recently or in your overall career?
Every fall, I plan the annual Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals (Sammies) awards gala at the Kennedy Center – it’s the culmination of literally a year’s worth of work. I get to see a theater full of prestigious leaders celebrate our nation’s top federal employees. Last year’s attendees included Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Ford Foundation President Darren Walker, author Michael Lewis, and Dr. Anthony Fauci. They get to see firsthand the public servants who are making a difference on behalf of the American government and its citizens. It is exciting to lead an effort that invigorates and inspires luminaries like that.
But more importantly, the Sammies are a moment for our honorees to feel special, seen and honored in a way that they might not have experienced before. It’s like they’re Cinderella and I’m their Fairy Godmother. I get to make dreams come true, without a wand or pumpkin carriages.
Bonus: I also found out this week that the 2022 Sammies awards ceremony received an honorable mention by PRNEWS’ 2023 Nonprofit Awards.
What does Women’s History month mean to you?
Women’s History Month is a special time of year for me. My twin sister and I were born on International Women’s Day (March 8) and raised by a fierce feminist and a cadre of strong Southern women (we called them Boss Aunties). Growing up, we’d celebrate by learning about women who did big things and made good trouble. Later, I started my own women-focused nonprofit and would spend the month uplifting the stories of women we supported, who are making their own impact and trouble in the world. Today, I continue to uplift stories of women who paved the way and champion women pushing forward today (monthly giving! supporting women-owned businesses! dinner out with my girlfriends!).
Is there any particular book, podcast or influencer you would recommend? How has it impacted your life?
I’m a big fan of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker. Even if you aren’t an event professional, it’s an amazing book that helps its readers think intentionally about events, focusing on purpose and attendee experience, which brings clarity about every decision and what’s right for this particular event. It’s applicable to events big or small, personal or public, casual or high-stakes. UN General Assembly down to dinner parties. I now begin event planning by asking “Why are we hosting this event?” and let that answer dictate everything from the guest list to venue, how to help your attendees prepare, experience and leave your event.
What PR trends do you see happening in 2023 and what kind of influence has it had or will have on professionals in the industry?
Prior to the pandemic, we defaulted to meeting in-person. During the pandemic, we met virtually. In the last year, I have seen a big swing toward hybrid events – where there are attendees in-person as well as online. Hybrid events are the most challenging of all and largely a new way for events to take place. Not an in-person event with a live-stream component, but one that encourages full participation equitably and inclusively for both. It takes a lot more preparation and requires a strong and skillful facilitator to pull it off effectively. We’re all still learning what hybrid best practices are and, if we want to gather in person what added value needs to happen in order to encourage people to come.
Why did you join WWPR and what have you gained from your experience?
I chose WWPR for two reasons – I was looking to make a difference in DC and I was looking to broaden my communications community. Last year, I closed the nonprofit that I co-founded to help young women in Washington seeking careers in public service. I had a hole in my life where I was able to make a meaningful contribution to women in my community. When I heard about WWPR, its mission and what I can offer seemed to align perfectly – melding my experience in communications with my nonprofit background to serve as the Pro Bono Co-chair. I’ve only been a member since September 2022, but I’ve already felt like I’m meeting like-minded people and supporting my wider DC community.
Some people like March because it’s finally spring (cherry blossoms in DC!), some enjoy celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, others college basketball, but here at WWPR we like March because it’s Women’s History Month!
The National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA) sets the theme for Women’s History Month each year and this year’s theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” Shine Theory is the idea that when you help another woman rise, we all shine. So it’s fitting that we, a community of women in the communications profession, use our voice and storytelling ability to shine lights on strong female success stories.
We wanted to highlight our pro bono client, New Endeavors by Women (NEW) and their mission of partnering with women and helping them create new futures. NEW is a DC-based organization dedicated to partnering with women experiencing homelessness. NEW transforms lives, by providing housing, fostering the development of life skills, and promoting education and employment, to end the cycle of homelessness.
NEW’s Executive Director, Wanda Steptoe was recently interviewed on iHeart Radio’s CEOs You Should Know podcast. During the interview, Ms. Steptoe said, “NEW’s mission is to partner with women and help them create new futures. The partner component of the mission is the most important part. We’re all different and unique, and when someone presents to us for services, you know we recognize that person has their own story and why they are experiencing homelessness may have some similarities to other people.”
Women helping other women is core to WWPR and what better time than Women’s History Month to make a donation to NEW. Our 2023 fundraising goal for NEW is $1,000 – let’s reach it this month! Support New Endeavors by Women at https://www.nebw.org/donate.
Last month, WWPR had the privilege to host an open conversation with NPR’s first Chief Communications Officer, Isabel Lara, moderated by Sukhi Suhni, WWPR advisory board member and SVP, Head of Integrated Brand Communications at Wells Fargo.
Lara’s anecdotes and tips about her professional experience at NPR gave guests a look into communications from the broadcast media lens, and how those lessons can apply to different industries. As a Latina and NPR’s first CCO, Isabel understands the challenges and importance of DEI. Check out some key takeaways from our conversation with her below.
Talk to the Audience Like You’re Talking to Your Neighbor
Ever since NPR first started telling stories in mainstream media in 1967, its motto has been to talk to the audience like you’re talking to your neighbor. For NPR, this means to have a voice that sounds familiar, like someone you know, which feels more conversational. NPR offers a diverse group of hosts and staff that speak to NPR’s wide variety of listeners.
Your Audience Wants to Feel Like They are “There”
Your audience wants to feel represented within your organization to feel an authentic connection. For NPR, not only is it important to have diverse on-air talent that reflects its audience, but also within its organization’s overall staff and leadership. As Isabela stated, “it is at the heart of what we do.”
DEI is an Ongoing Mission
It has become more difficult to report the facts as many topics are fraught with controversy. In today’s news climate, Isabela shared that is important to state the facts, not opinions when covering current events. As times today can feel divisive, it is more important than ever to reach towards diversity across different voices so that none are left out.
Internal Communications Should Also be Considered as External Communications
Since NPR is a broadcast media station, information released, even internally, is a topic of public interest. An internal email can easily be screenshotted and shared on social media. This can happen in any industry and in any organization. Therefore, it is important to consider that internal communications, such as staff letters, policies, statements, etc. can be made public at any time.
Including Multicultural Communications is Important
Often times in public relations, principal, big name news outlets are targeted for pitching stories, events, people, etc. To reach wider and more diverse, interested audiences, a multicultural aspect of planning should be considered and included. It is also a great way to communicate with those audiences about the way you are connected. When crafting media relations strategies for her on-air talent, Isabel asks them what outlets matter most – to them, to their grandmother, to their community. This is fundamental to meeting people where they’re at.
“I’m excited for the opportunities WWPR provides to connect and learn from other women” – Melanie Vynalek
Tell me about your background and what drew you to your current position at Adfero.
I’ve always loved to write, especially as a tool to share the impactful stories or experiences I’ve learned from others. For the longest time I wanted to be a journalist, but realized there were aspects of both journalism and communication I enjoyed and wanted out of a career. When pursuing my masters at American University, I gained agency experience through an internship and quickly realized it’s what I want to do full-time. The energy and excitement of working with a variety of clients on a variety of projects was exhilarating. Following my graduation, I wanted to stay in DC and quickly found myself at Adfero. The ability to work across industries through Adfero’s public affairs practice and take on new opportunities to continuously learn and grow was, and continues to be, of great interest to me.
What is a typical day like in your current role as an Account Executive?
No two days are the same, but I generally like to start each morning by reading through the newsletters and alerts I’m signed up for – multiple Axios and POLITICO newsletters, New York Times’ The Morning, and a few others – to see if anything pertains to or would be of interest for my clients. Each day is typically spent doing a variety of paid and earned media projects, from writing copy to conducting research to launching ads, along with meetings to break up everything in between. I work a hybrid schedule and typically spend three days in the office and two working from home. My days spent in the office serve as a great opportunity to collaborate with teammates, ask questions and check-in on upcoming projects or events.
What is the most exciting or rewarding project or experience you’ve had in your career?
The best is yet to come and I’m sure the most rewarding moments are still ahead, but thus far I’d say successfully navigating graduate school along with various jobs and internships has been a highlight. Completing my capstone – also known as my “thesis” – in graduate school was very rewarding. I studied media usage and screen time among young children, how families implement – or don’t implement – screen time in their homes, and what this may mean for childhood development. The goal wasn’t to say screens are bad, but rather gain a better understanding of how we can best incorporate them into the life of a young child in such a technology-driven society. I interviewed more than a dozen parents of young children and conducted months of research and was so thankful to be recognized by American University’s School of Communication for my work at the end of the year.
Working in the creative space, how do you get inspired for a new campaign?
I’m always inspired by my team! Any time we are prepping for a new campaign, brainstorms always get me inspired. I like to scroll through various social channels and make note of what’s trending, whether it be creative trends such as memes or GIFs, or copy trends such as hashtags, emoji sequences and more, to see how we can incorporate these into campaigns and weave in our messaging. Bringing these ideas and others back to my team, while also hearing their ideas, always sparks great inspiration for what’s coming down the pike.
Is there any particular book, podcast or influencer you would recommend following? How has it impacted your life?
A few months ago, I discovered Timm Chiusano on TikTok. He is a creative executive based in New York who shares daily glimpses into how he navigates his personal and professional life. He also shares tidbits of career advice and simply, how to make the most of every day. Chiusano is across platforms on Instagram and YouTube too, but he’s mainly known for his inspiring messages and words of wisdom on TikTok. Each post puts a smile on my face and reminds me to always look for the good in everything. If you’re on TikTok, definitely check him out!
What PR trends do you see happening in 2023 and what kind of influence has it had or will have on professionals in the industry?
I think the shifts across social media platforms will continue to impact the industry, specifically, Instagram turning its focus back to photos instead of videos and reels, and Twitter’s always changing advertising policies. I’m not sure how, but I can definitely see those in the industry altering their focus or content on these platforms. I also think the resurgence of being back in person will continue to influence the industry with more opportunities to convene, launch events, meet with the media and more.
What drew you to WWPR initially as a student and now professionally and what are you looking to gain from the organization this year?
I learned of WWPR when I was in graduate school at American University – I can’t remember exactly where, but likely through a newsletter or social post. I knew when I was in grad school that I wanted to stay in DC and launch my career here. WWPR seemed like the best place to start. I attended a few virtual meetings my first year as a member and am now excited to join folks in person. After joining Adfero, I met a few coworkers who are members as well and have been able to learn more about the organization through them. I’m excited for the opportunities WWPR provides to connect and learn from other women in Washington, enhance my PR skill set and keep a finger on the pulse of what is going on in the world of communication. As I continue to discover specific areas of PR that I want to focus on, I’m confident I can sharpen my knowledge through WWPR webinars and speaker series, and of course, through the members.
What other hobbies do you enjoy doing in the area?
When the weather is warm, I like to play tennis or go on long walks through the city with friends – this is usually followed by trying a new coffee shop or restaurant. I’m always keeping an eye on events coming to DC and often save Instagram posts from the Washingtonian and other accounts with details of upcoming shows, exhibits or festivals to check out. As the spring approaches, I’m looking forward to some upcoming shows at the Kennedy Center, concerts down at The Wharf, and Nats games.
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