• Facebook Share
  • Twitter Share

SCOTUS Decision on Reproductive Rights

On June 29, the Focus on Women Committee (FOWC) & Women’s Steering Committee (WSC) held a special joint virtual meeting that featured a discussion on the recent SCOTUS ruling overturning a woman’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom.

Following a welcome by DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter, who shared the Guild’s official statement condemning the decision, a discussion took place with Directors Rachel Lee Goldenberg (Unpregnant), Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes (The Janes) and Dawn Porter (Trapped), along with community leaders Emma Hernández (We Testify), Rafa Kidvai, J.D. (If/When/How), and Caren Spruch (Planned Parenthood).

The Director panelists shared their experiences working on their respective projects and urged fellow filmmakers to continue telling stories of abortion. They emphasized the importance of responsible research, suggested to talk directly with folks on the ground, and reminded the audience to know the risks.

The community leader panelists urged content creators to expand the type of stories they tell around abortion and reproductive justice, as well as stories from those who are often marginalized such as transgender and non-binary persons; Black, indigenous and other people of color; and those who are poor. They reminded the audience that the issue of abortion does not exist in silo and should be connected to other systemic forms of oppression.

After the panel, attendees shared general reactions, discussed what else is at stake, and brainstormed ideas of how to fight back.


About the Committees:

Focus on Women Committee

Originally a sub-committee of the Eastern Directors Council, in 2020 the Focus on Women Committee (FOWC) was designated an official and permanent committee of the DGA National Board for women members residing in the Eastern Region. The Committee would like to remind members that while their events are designed with a special focus on women directors, all DGA members are welcome to attend. The Committee's current co-chairs are Maggie Greenwald, Annetta Marion and Joyce Thomas.

Women's Steering Committee

The Women's Steering Committee (WSC) was created to advance the professional interests of its members, and to heighten their visibility and career opportunities in the entertainment industry. The WSC currently promotes diversity through sponsoring events, screenings and seminars, and fosters relationships between the members to provide support, mentoring and networking opportunities. The WSC’s current Co-Chairs are Tara Miele, Shawn Pipkin-West and Liz Ryan.

Pictures


(L-R Top Row) Focus on Women Committee Co-Chair Annetta Marion, Women’s Steering Committee Co-Chair Tara Miele, Repro Legal Defense Fund representative Rafa Kidvai, J.D., (Middle Row) We Testify Media Relations Manager Emma Hernández, Directors Rachel Lee Goldenberg and Dawn Porter, (Bottom Row) Directors Emma Pildes and Tia Lessin, and Planned Parenthood Senior Director, Arts & Entertainment Engagement, Caren Spruch were speakers at the special joint virtual meeting held by the Focus on Women Committee and Women’s Steering Committee regarding the recent SCOTUS ruling overturning a woman’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom.
DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter welcomed the attendees and shared the Guild’s official statement condemning the recent SCOTUS ruling overturning a woman’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom during the special joint virtual meeting held by the Focus on Women Committee and Women’s Steering Committee.
(L-R First Row) DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter, Focus on Women Committee Co-Chair Annetta Marion, Women’s Steering Committee Co-Chair Tara Miele, Repro Legal Defense Fund representative Rafa Kidvai, J.D., We Testify Media Relations Manager Emma Hernández, (Second Row) Directors Rachel Lee Goldenberg, Dawn Porter, Emma Pildes and Tia Lessin, Planned Parenthood Senior Director, Arts & Entertainment Engagement, Caren Spruch, (Third Row) Focus on Women Committee Co-Chairs Joyce Thomas and Maggie Greenwald, Women’s Steering Committee Co-Chair Liz Ryan, Eastern Diversity Steering Committee Co-Chair April Smith, Women’s Steering Committee Director Category representative Valerie Weiss, (Fourth Row) Latino Committee Director Category representative Regina Ainsworth, Asian American Committee Co-Chair Kai Kim, LGBTQ+ Committee Co-Chair John Krokidas, Eastern Diversity Steering Committee Co-Chair Canella Williams-Larrabee and Asian American Committee Co-Chair Lily Mariye attend the special joint virtual meeting held by the Focus on Women Committee and Women’s Steering Committee regarding the recent SCOTUS ruling overturning a woman’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom.

Calendar

5/30/2025 - 6/5/2025