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Messages from the amazing women at WXII for Women's History Month

Messages from the amazing women at WXII for Women's History Month
ANIMALS. TODAY MARKS NEARLY 50 YEARS SINCE THE START OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY. THE UNITED NATIONS DECLARED MARCH EIGHT. SINCE IT’S GLOBAL HOLIDAY, CELEBRATING ALL WOMEN ACHIEVEMENTS. BILL O’NEIL JOINS US WITH THE STORY. THE IMPETUS FOR THIS HOLIDAY GOES ALL THE WAY BACK TO 1908 IN NEW YORK CITY. GARBAGE WAR HERE’S WENT ON STRIKE PROTESTING WORK CONDITIONS. TODAY WE ASKED TRIAD WOMEN THEIR VIEW ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY. IT IS STILL QUITE A TOUGH INDUSTRY FOR WOMEN. WE’VE MADE SOME PROGRESS, BUT THERE’S STILL SO MUCH MORE PROGRESS TO BE MADE. I THINK IT’S AN AMAZING TIME TO CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN. WOMEN FROM POLITICS EDUCATE WOMEN AND BUSINESS, TELL US THEY SEE PROGRESS, BUT NOT ALWAYS ENOUGH. IN EDUCATION STUDIES SHOW THAT WOMEN NOW MAKE UP 59% OF THE STUDENT BODY, BUT ONLY 30% ARE COLLEGE PRESIDENTS. JUST NOW, ARE WE STARTING TO SEE MORE WOMEN IN PRESIDENTS AND CHANCELLORS ROLES? I’M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. THE PRESIDENT OF BENNETT COLLEGE IS EVERY DAY. BENNETT IS WOMEN’S DAY. AS THE SCHOOL PREPARE STUDENTS TO BECOME LEADERS. HAVE WE MADE THE PROGRESS THAT WE THOUGHT WE WOULD MAKE? AND I AND I DON’T THINK WE HAVE WE’VE MADE SOME PROGRESS, BUT THERE’S STILL SO MUCH MORE PROGRESS TO BE MADE. THE LATEST INFORMATION FROM PEW RESEARCH FINDS WOMEN EARN 82% OF WHAT MEN ARE. ONE INDUSTRY DOMINATED BY MEN FOR YEARS IS THE CAR BUSINESS. I’VE SEEN A BIG DIFFERENCE FROM WHEN IT FIRST BEGAN. SO WHEN I SEE NOW IN WHAT CAN YOU GIVE ME AN IDEA OF WHAT CHANGED? THE CHANGE YOU HAVE SEEN IS ACCEPTANCE. VALERIE BENTON SMITH SAYS WOMEN ARE FAR MORE ACCEPTING OF THE CAR BUSINESS TODAY, COMPARED TO WHEN SHE STARTED OUT 20 YEARS AGO. WOMEN HAVE SHOWN THAT THEY ARE VERY CAPABLE OF TAKING THAT ROLE AND TAKING TAKING THAT BULL BY THE HORNS AND TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL. ACCORDING TO CENSUS FIGURES, WOMEN MAKE UP MORE THAN 50% OF NORTH CAROLINA’S POPULATION, BUT HOLD ONLY 25% OF THE SEATS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE. IF LEAPING IS TO CHANGE, IS GOING TO BE UP TO THE LEADERSHIP OF WOMEN. NOT THAT WE GOVERNMENT BETTER OR WORSE THAN MEN. BUT WE DO GOVERN DIFFERENTLY. FORSYTH COUNTY, DEMOCRAT AMBER BAKER SAYS WOMEN GET THINGS DONE. I THINK WOMEN ARE MORE PRONE TO LOOK FOR COMMONALITIES IN WAYS TO WORK COOPERATIVELY AND NOT AS COMPETITIVE WITH EACH OTHER. AND WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS DOMINATE THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE. LAST YEAR. AND NOW THE BIG QUESTION WHAT WILL LAWMAKERS DO IN NORTH CAROLINA ABOUT ABORTION? IN GREENSBORO, I’M BILL O’NEIL
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Messages from the amazing women at WXII for Women's History Month
WXII has a talented cast of women who bring their passion and skill to the newsroom every day.WXII's ladies can do it all: hard-hitting investigations, sports coverage of the entire Triad, uplifting Local Vibe stories and the list continues. Each of our talent's perspectives and experiences adds to the rich culture of the newsroom. As a tribute to Women's History Month, several members of our cast have shared their thoughts on what it means to be a working woman in the industry.Click the video player above to learn about International Women's DayA Message from Audrey Biesk:I feel empowered every day working at WXII as an all-female-led newsroom. That is pretty unheard of and I think it speaks volumes. I believe it is so important to constantly be around women supporting women and to feel proud of who we are! Find Audrey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!A Message from Lauren Walsh: The spheres of sports and sports media have come a long way from the tagline of being "male-dominated," and I'm proud to be part of that progress as WXII 12's sports director. However, women in sports broadcasting still fall short in the "benefit of the doubt" department compared to our male counterparts.If a man makes a mistake on air, be it an incorrect stat or name pronunciation, it's chalked up as just that: a mistake.When a woman makes a similar mistake, it's typically viewed in a much harsher light of her being unqualified, unprepared, or uninformed.That stigma still lingers in sports journalism, but I try to combat it every day by showing up as a woman in sports, and showing up prepared, genuine and enthused in my work.Find Lauren on Facebook and Twitter!A Message from Christina Evans:"When you learn, teach, when you get, give."- Maya Angelou. This is a quote by Dr. Maya Angelou is one of my favorite quotes of all time. Her words are a gentle reminder of how we as women can make a larger impact in our communities and inspire those around us each and every day. As a woman in the news industry, I have been blessed to have fantastic female mentors who pour their advice, kindness, and love into me so that I can make a difference in this world. As I continue to grow, I follow in their footsteps by reaching back and giving to those eager young women embarking on their personal journeys,’ and I have to say, this has been the greatest joy in my career. We do not all have to be rocket scientists, movie stars, or politicians to make a difference. If you share any piece of knowledge you or encouragement you can help out a woman in need and make a difference this International Women’s Day.Find Christina on Facebook and Twitter!A Message from Christine Cruz:It’s not a specific job or role that defines us as women, it’s our ability to take on so many, and somehow do them all well. When you’re a working mom, there are times when you feel so defeated. I remember how heartbroken I was every time I missed the elementary school Mother’s Day breakfast at school for my kids. Being in news, meant there were no days off during May sweeps, and so every year it was that same feeling of letting my kids down. But here’s the flip side:Without even realizing it, I was teaching my kids about work/life balance— The underlying lesson that responsibilities often prevent us from being where we’d like to be, because of where we must be. Today, both of my kids are grown. My son is 24 and my daughter is 22. They get it. All of it. They felt loved back then. They feel loved now. So somehow, this woman, pulled it off, thanks to the generation of women before me, including my amazing mom, who showed me, how it’s done.Find Christine on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

WXII has a talented cast of women who bring their passion and skill to the newsroom every day.

WXII's ladies can do it all: hard-hitting investigations, sports coverage of the entire Triad, uplifting Local Vibe stories and the list continues. Each of our talent's perspectives and experiences adds to the rich culture of the newsroom.

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As a tribute to Women's History Month, several members of our cast have shared their thoughts on what it means to be a working woman in the industry.

Click the video player above to learn about International Women's Day

A Message from Audrey Biesk:

I feel empowered every day working at WXII as an all-female-led newsroom. That is pretty unheard of and I think it speaks volumes.

I believe it is so important to constantly be around women supporting women and to feel proud of who we are!

Find Audrey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Audrey Biesk on the set of the Local Vibe
Hearst Owned
Audrey Biesk on the set of the Local Vibe

A Message from Lauren Walsh:

The spheres of sports and sports media have come a long way from the tagline of being "male-dominated," and I'm proud to be part of that progress as WXII 12's sports director.

However, women in sports broadcasting still fall short in the "benefit of the doubt" department compared to our male counterparts.

If a man makes a mistake on air, be it an incorrect stat or name pronunciation, it's chalked up as just that: a mistake.

When a woman makes a similar mistake, it's typically viewed in a much harsher light of her being unqualified, unprepared, or uninformed.

That stigma still lingers in sports journalism, but I try to combat it every day by showing up as a woman in sports, and showing up prepared, genuine and enthused in my work.

Find Lauren on Facebook and Twitter!

Allison Lee Isley, Winston-Salem Journal, lauren walsh
Hearst OwnedAllison Lee Isley, Winston-Salem Journal
Sportscaster Lauren Walsh filming the 2023 ACC Women’s Tournament

A Message from Christina Evans:

"When you learn, teach, when you get, give."- Maya Angelou. This is a quote by Dr. Maya Angelou is one of my favorite quotes of all time. Her words are a gentle reminder of how we as women can make a larger impact in our communities and inspire those around us each and every day. As a woman in the news industry, I have been blessed to have fantastic female mentors who pour their advice, kindness, and love into me so that I can make a difference in this world. As I continue to grow, I follow in their footsteps by reaching back and giving to those eager young women embarking on their personal journeys,’ and I have to say, this has been the greatest joy in my career. We do not all have to be rocket scientists, movie stars, or politicians to make a difference. If you share any piece of knowledge you or encouragement you can help out a woman in need and make a difference this International Women’s Day.

Find Christina on Facebook and Twitter!

christina evans local vibe wxii
Hearst Owned
Christina Evans on the set of the Local Vibe

A Message from Christine Cruz:

It’s not a specific job or role that defines us as women, it’s our ability to take on so many, and somehow do them all well. When you’re a working mom, there are times when you feel so defeated.

I remember how heartbroken I was every time I missed the elementary school Mother’s Day breakfast at school for my kids.

Being in news, meant there were no days off during May sweeps, and so every year it was that same feeling of letting my kids down.

But here’s the flip side:

Without even realizing it, I was teaching my kids about work/life balance— The underlying lesson that responsibilities often prevent us from being where we’d like to be, because of where we must be.

Today, both of my kids are grown. My son is 24 and my daughter is 22.

They get it. All of it. They felt loved back then. They feel loved now.

So somehow, this woman, pulled it off, thanks to the generation of women before me, including my amazing mom, who showed me, how it’s done.

Find Christine on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Christine Cruz on the WXII set
Hearst Owned
Christine Cruz on the WXII set