History of the Focus on Women Committee
The Focus on Women Committee was founded in 2009, when then-Eastern Directors Council (EDC) Chair Steven Soderbergh formalized the work of a group of members by establishing a committee to explore ways to educate, inform, address the concerns of and create opportunities for women directors.
For over a decade, Focus on Women was an Eastern Directors Council sub-committee made up of a small group of invited director members with co-chairs selected by the chair of the EDC. After approval by the DGA National Board at its October 17, 2020 meeting, Focus on Women is now an official and permanent committee of the National Board. In its new form, the Focus on Women Committee, now open to all female Eastern Region members, is dedicated to empowering and advancing the professional interests of female members in all Guild categories, and to promoting and working for employment equity throughout the entertainment industry.
The current Co-Chairs of the FOWC are Directors Maggie Greenwald and Annetta Marion and Associate Director Joyce Thomas. Director Nora Gerard serves as the Alternate Co-Chair. The Committee's Category Reps are Lily Olszewski (Director), Lyn Pinezich (AD/UPM) and April Smith (AD/SM/PA).
Past Co-Chairs of the Committee include Directors Linda Laundra, Laura Belsey and Rosemary Rodriguez.
For more information about the Focus on Women Committee contact DGA Assistant Executive Director Michael Berger or DGA Manager, Eastern Events, Suci Madjidji at (212) 258-0810 (smadjidji@dga.org).
DGA Members: Please log in for meeting times and other Focus on Women Committee information.