SAG-AFTRA and the Geena Davis Institute Present Power of Portrayal Celebrity Panel Explored Media Representation

NEW YORK (November 7, 2017) — SAG-AFTRA and the Geena Davis Institute partnered to present Power of Portrayal: Inspiring Performances Driving Social Change, a panel led by a diverse group of performers and athletes who are paving the way to social change with their roles in film, TV, on stage and off the court. The event took place Monday, November 6 at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Robin Williams Center.

Panelists included SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) star Swin Cash, actor and activist Alysia Reiner (Orange Is the New Black), actor/producer Maggie Siff (Sons of Anarchy), and actor Megan Boone (The Blacklist) who discussed the importance of representation and how they have come to reach success in their field. Madeline Di Nonno, CEO of the Geena Davis Institute, moderated the panel.

“I am very proud of SAG-AFTRA’s partnership with the Geena Davis Institute. It was an honor to participate on a panel of such talented and socially aware women whose success in their fields have been used so effectively" said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. Representation matters now more than ever and this partnership is another step towards shining a light on the work that women do on and off the screen.”

Said Madeline Di Nonno, “The Geena Davis Institute’s mission is to work on diversifying the media landscape through cutting edge research, education and engagement. Panels like these give young women the opportunity to see it is possible to break barriers and reach their goals. We look forward to partnering with SAG-AFTRA on additional events.”

The panel was part of the See Jane salons developed by the Geena Davis Institute to discuss issues pertinent to women and their work fields.

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Photo caption: SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President and New York President Rebecca Damon, SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, Megan Boone, Alysia Reiner, Maggie Siff, Swin Cash and Geena Davis Institute CEO Madeline Di Nonno at Power of Portrayal: Inspiring Performances Driving Social Change, a panel convened by SAG-AFTRA and the Geena Davis Institute. Photo by MARGARITA CORPORAN / SAG-AFTRA

Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
Photo caption: SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, Alysia Reiner, Maggie Siff and Megan Boone discuss the importance of female representation and how they’ve reached success in their field. Photo by MARGARITA CORPORAN / SAG-AFTRA

About SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.

About the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media
Founded by Academy Award®-winning actor Geena Davis, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media at Mount Saint Mary’s University is the only research-based organization working with media and entertainment companies with cutting-edge research, education and advocacy programs to dramatically improve how girls and women are reflected in media targeting children 11 and under.