Nine years ago this September (I never remember the exact date) I started a website on blogger called Women and Hollywood. I culled links about women in the entertainment industry, started going to movies by and about women, and began talking to women directors. Then the site moved to WordPress. Then the site moved to Indiewire. Now the site is on Medium.
An extraordinary group of women has come with me on this journey and I am grateful to them. I am especially grateful to our founding supporter — The Dobkin Family Foundation — for funding all of the initiative’s work.
Women and Hollywood has accomplished a lot in nine years: Check out our book and website. But there is so much more work left to do.
The conversation about the lack of opportunities for women in the industry is heated, but this has been an issue for decades, so to expect change overnight just because people are talking about the problems is not realistic.
As we reflect on our birthday, here are some major milestones in Hollywood that have occurred during Women and Hollywood’s life:
Kathryn Bigelow was nominated for and won the Academy Award for Best Director, making her the first woman to take home an Oscar in this category.
Cheryl Boone Isaacs was elected to run the Academy: She’s the first black woman to hold the position.
The EEOC launched an inquiry into the systemic discrimination against women directors.
Ava DuVernay will be the first woman of color to direct a film with a $100 million budget.
We’re finally getting a “Wonder Woman” movie. After being inundated with male superheroes, we’ll see a female-fronted superhero at multiplexes in less than a year’s time. Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman” has completed filming and will hit theaters June 2, 2017. (And “Captain Marvel” is expected for release March 8, 2019.)
We have begun planning to celebrate our 10th anniversary in a special way. Stay tuned over the next several months for updates. We appreciate all of your support. Please consider giving a donation to help fund the work of Women and Hollywood as we move into our 10th year.
