In efforts to be present in recognizing important celebrations, I would like to take a moment to highlight the contributions, accomplishments, and the importance of women in media, especially in radio and TV and the initiatives that the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association has done to promote and empower women in the industry and celebrate Women’s History Month.
Let’s begin with a little bit of history. On Feb. 28, 1980 President Carter established National Women’s History Week with the following message “From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this Nation. Too often, the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America were as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.” And a few years later it was changed to be celebrated the entire month of March.
Women are first timers in many fields and continue making a difference. For example, the “First Lady of Television” and “Queen of the Small Screen,” was Betty White. She made her debut in 1939 and was the first woman to produce a national TV show and to star in a sitcom, both for her variety show, “Life with Elizabeth” (1953-1955). The first woman known to have worked professionally as a maritime radio operator was Annie Tucker, beginning in October 1908 aboard the Indianapolis, which made four trips daily on Puget Sound between Tacoma and Seattle, Washington.
In Wisconsin, women in media has made a huge impact taking important roles, participating in different areas and positions like management, engineers, news producers, sports announcers or weather presenters, and also including some of the most modern ways of communication like modern marketers, podcasting, and social media influencers.
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association has been recognizing women and continue providing platforms that empower and promote women to another level in the industry:
- Broadcaster Irene Buri-Nelson, was the first woman inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
- The first WBA female chair was Susan Knaack in 1993, and she also inducted into the WBA Hall of Fame in 2004.
- WBA has 23 women serving on different boards and committees.
- The WBA Diversity Committee is led by women and the majority of its members are also women.
- Last year, WBA joined the Mentorship Program for Women in Radio and Jen Kasper is the First “MIW Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Wisconsin” mentee.
- The WBA continues to promote ownership opportunities for women, following the model promoted by the FCC’s Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC) whose goal is to expand digital and media ownership opportunities for women and minorities.
WBA is also fortunate to be led by an extraordinary Woman, our President and CEO Michelle Vetterkind, who has been with WBA since 1995 and has been serving in her role since 2007.
As a woman in media, and as your WBA Chair, I would like to encourage all women to continue making an impact in your own fields and communities, and provide opportunities for young women that are thrilled to be part of the wonderful and powerful media industry.
Celebrate this month and every day with love and passion and feel proud of your endless achievements and contributions, Happy International Women’s History Month!
Lupita Montoto
WBA Board Chair
Co-Founder of La Movida Radio – Midwest Family Madison
On-Air Personality and Marketing Consultant
