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Meet Erika Lieberman: Composer and Musician

May 16, 2012, by AAUWguest

The summer blockbuster movie season has begun! I’ve always loved movies, and I especially appreciate how music intertwines with story lines and contributes to the emotion and feel of a film. I love it when I leave a movie still humming the tunes to the songs played in the background, like the scores of the Star Wars or Harry Potter series.

AAUW has helped fund the graduate education of a woman who creates just such musical art. Erika Lieberman, a 2005–06 AAUW Career Development Grantee, is a composer for movie shorts, films, and video games.

The daughter of a writer-director, Lieberman has always been interested in music. However, it wasn’t until just before her 30th birthday that she decided to make a career change from publishing. She figured that “if you’re going to struggle, it may as well be for something you love!” The AAUW grant allowed her to devote both her emotional energy and her time to her degree.

Lieberman’s work is distinctive in the composing world thanks to her use of exotic instruments and folk styles. She performs with a variety of unique instruments, such as the sarod, found in the Middle East and Central Asia; the oud of North Africa; the tabla, played in India; the uilleann pipes of Ireland; the English concertina; and the hammered dulcimer, found in Europe and Asia. Her unique sound fits nearly any project, from video games to period films. Christy Carew, president of Forest House Music, said in an e-mail that Lieberman is a “unique composer with a style that is wholly her own … one of the new film scoring voices to keep your eye and ears on.”

A sampling of Lieberman’s work — including songs like “Forest Journey,” “Vampire Castle,” and “The Sunchasers” — can be heard online. I strongly encourage you to listen to her songs. I found myself mesmerized by the unique tones and instruments. Lieberman’s work for the short film That’s My Majesty was performed live at Lincoln Center in New York City. Her portfolio includes a multitude of films, television shows, and games. You may also have caught her music in films and shows such as Suburban Madness; Till Death Do Us Part, starring John Waters; and Guiana 1838.

Now Lieberman has shifted her focus to a new genre — video games. As indie films presented fewer opportunities, she was attracted to the video game industry’s fast-growing nature. She founded her own game-music company, Sonic Legends. Lieberman is exuberantly proud of the work they are doing and hopes to see her company become the go-to music licensing resource for indie video game developers. Lieberman does not downplay the hard work that has gone into this company. “Running your own company is really hard and really scary,” she says. But reading articles about Sonic Legends’ success or the positive experiences composers have had when working with her makes it clear that the experience has been wholly worthwhile.

Be sure to keep an eye out for her name in movie or video game credits!

This post was written by AAUW Fellowships and Grants Intern Elyssa Shildneck.

Posted in Educational Programs, Fellowships, Grants and Awards, The AAUW Community, Women and Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Attend the Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony!

May 15, 2012, by administrator

Registration for the 2012 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) sold out in record time! But we still have tickets available for the Women of Distinction Awards ceremony, which is held the first night of the conference. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by calling 800/326-2289. Don’t miss your chance to meet this year’s six phenomenal Women of Distinction!

The ceremony — which will be held on May 31 at the University of Maryland, College Park — pays tribute to women leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to their professions or communities. We’ve already introduced you to four of this year’s awardees, Noorjahan Akbar, Alison Cohen, Liza Donnelly, and Sandra Fluke. Without further ado, we’d like to present our final two awardees.

Michel Martin

Host, Tell Me More

Michel Martin hosts Tell Me More, an NPR talk radio program focused on the headlines and issues relevant to multicultural life in America. As a host, Martin orchestrates a gathering place for dialogue on important issues facing the country and discusses these challenges and opportunities with a range of guests, regular contributors, and NPR reporters.

 

Maggie Williams

Founding Partner, Griffin Williams Consulting

Maggie Williams is a founding partner of Griffin Williams, a consulting firm that specializes in helping public- and private-sector clients navigate transition, change, and challenging communication environments. A seasoned communications practitioner, strategist, and organizational manager, she led then-Sen. Hillary Clinton’s historic 2008 presidential campaign and served as a senior adviser to Clinton’s secretary of state confirmation and transition teams.

Read more about all six of the 2012 Women of Distinction, and buy your ticket today!

The Barbara Fetterhoff Honorary Fund is a platinum sponsor of the 2012 NCCWSL Women of Distinction Awards ceremony and reception. AAUW of Maryland, many generous friends of Barbara’s, and AAUW donors from across the country are contributing to this fund to honor AAUW member Barbara Fetterhoff for her continuing leadership, vision, and commitment.

Posted in NCCWSL, The AAUW Community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

You’ve Graduated, Now What?

May 15, 2012, by AAUWguest

It’s only been a year since I graduated with my bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, but I still remember how easy it was to shake off the tips and advice I received from the adults around me.

Believe it or not, some of those tips are worth hearing — even if you still end up learning the hard way. In honor of all the college graduates this May, here is my list of things I wish I knew when I graduated:

  1. Pursue a career you’re passionate about. You’ve heard that before, but you will have to be there for at least 40 hours a week, and it doesn’t take long for things to get mundane.
  2. It’s easier to stay close with acquaintances who live in your city than with your best friends who don’t. Pay attention to both.
  3. Consider finding a second job. A second income will provide a lot more flexibility as you adjust to a new budget and new expenses. And there are other perks, including networking, flexible hours, and a change of pace from your day job.
  4. You’ll get a variety of answers when you ask for advice about finances, so do your own research. Make sure you understand budgeting, savings, and your credit score. CNN Money offers a good guide for beginners.
  5. Sooner or later, you’re going to get more excited about buying furniture than anything else you’ve ever purchased. Just take it as a sign you’re growing up.
  6. A master’s degree doesn’t automatically lead to a job, but you’ll constantly think about pursuing grad school. Consider this option thoroughly. Are you just avoiding the job market? Can you handle the additional debt? What kind of job opportunities will you have?

Most importantly, congratulations! You have successfully completed another step toward adulthood. Things might get hard while you adjust to life on your own, but it’s full of fun and excitement too. Good luck!

To all of our not-so-recent graduates, what advice would you add to this list?

This post was written by AAUW Communications Intern Marie Lindberg.

Posted in Students & Educational Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

We’re Still Fighting for Pay Equity

May 14, 2012, by AAUWguest

Although women are now entering higher education in larger numbers than men and represent the breadwinners or co-breadwinners in a majority of families, pay equity is still not an issue that we can cross off the agenda. According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2010 median weekly earnings for women working full time was $669, while men in full-time positions earned $824. Over the course of a year, that adds up to a difference of almost $8,000. While the figures vary depending on education level and other factors, the bottom line is that women still aren’t making equal pay for equal work.

There are legislative means for achieving progress in pay equity. The Paycheck Fairness Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives in the 111th Congress and fell only two votes short of overcoming a procedural hurdle in the Senate. The Senate is considering the bill again, and AAUW is gearing up to fight for its passage. You can help by reaching out to your senator and urging her or him to co-sponsor the bill (S. 797).

The issue has also been front and center in the media. Rachel Maddow argued recently on Meet the Press that those who think the pay gap is a myth have a different “factual understanding of the world.” Part of that understanding is that women should be paid equally for performing the same work as men. AAUW Director of Public Policy and Government Relations Lisa Maatz spoke out on CNN, which aired a fact-checking segment on the clash between Maddow and Republican strategist Alex Castellanos in an effort to dispel confusion about the matter.

AAUW has long fought to end wage discrimination and to close the persistent wage gap that affects women of all ages, races, and education levels, regardless of their family decisions. Recent AAUW research uses concrete, state-by-state data to show that sex discrimination not only continues to be a problem in the workplace but also affects the incomes of all women. It’s time to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act and make progress toward ending gender pay discrimination.

This post was written by AAUW Public Policy and Government Relations Intern Madeline Shepherd.

Posted in AAUW in the News, Sex Discrimination, Women & Economic Security, Women and Work | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

See the Women of Distinction at NCCWSL

May 14, 2012, by administrator

Last week, we introduced you to two of the six women who will be honored at the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL). The Women of Distinction Awards ceremony, which is held during the conference, pays tribute to women leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to their professions or communities. NCCWSL attendees will hear each of these inspiring women speak on Thursday, May 31. Don’t miss your chance to meet this year’s awardees!

Registration for the 2012 conference closes on May 16. Sign up for NCCWSL today to secure your opportunity for unparalleled leadership training.

The following are two of the six outstanding Women of Distinction. We’ve already introduced you to Noorjahan Akbar and Alison Cohen. Stay tuned for a blog post that will feature the two remaining honorees!

Liza Donnelly

Cartoonist and Writer, The New Yorker

Liza Donnelly is a staff cartoonist for the New Yorker. When she first began selling her work to the magazine in 1979, she was the youngest and one of only three women cartoonists to do so. In addition to her work as a cartoonist, Donnelly is a public speaker and has appeared at TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design), the United Nations, and the New Yorker Festival as well as on CBS Sunday Morning, NBC, and BetterTV.

Sandra Fluke

Women’s Advocate and Georgetown Law Student

Sandra Fluke is completing her final semester as a public interest law scholar at Georgetown University Law Center. She has devoted her career to advocating for gender equity in all sectors of society. Recently, she testified before the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee on the need to provide access to contraception, which she has been advocating for since she arrived at Georgetown.

The Barbara Fetterhoff Honorary Fund is a platinum sponsor of the 2012 NCCWSL Women of Distinction Awards ceremony and reception. AAUW of Maryland, many generous friends of Barbara’s, and AAUW donors from across the country are contributing to this fund to honor AAUW member Barbara Fetterhoff for her continuing leadership, vision, and commitment.

Posted in Educational Programs, NCCWSL, The AAUW Community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Katharine Hepburn’s Mother, the Suffragette Trailblazer

May 12, 2012, by AAUWguest

We all remember the actress Katharine Hepburn as a remarkably strong woman — both on-screen and off. Beyond her trademark pantsuits, she refused to play the traditional roles being offered to Hollywood women in the 1930s and ‘40s and even negotiated the rights to some of her own movies.

But did you know that the actress’s mother, Katharine Martha Houghton Hepburn (1878–1952), was a member of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae, the organization that eventually became AAUW? Both mother and daughter graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1899 and 1928, respectively.

After graduation, Katharine Houghton — or Kit, as she was called — married Thomas Hepburn, who was a physician. They moved to Hartford, Connecticut. In addition to raising six children, both devoted their lives to progressive causes — Thomas to the prevention of venereal disease through the formation of the New England Social Hygiene Association and his wife to equal rights for women.

The elder Katharine Hepburn was an ardent suffragist and head of the Connecticut Woman Suffrage Association. In 1913, she led her state’s delegation to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Woodrow Wilson to discuss the issue of women’s right to vote. Inspired by the arrests of picketing suffragists, Hepburn joined the National Woman’s Party to further the cause. Her famous daughter recalled accompanying her mother to suffragist demonstrations.

In addition to being a member of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae’s Connecticut Branch, Hepburn also spoke at the 1914 ACA convention in Philadelphia. Following the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, Hepburn, along with her friend Margaret Sanger, focused on advocating for women’s access to birth control. Together they founded the American Birth Control League, which is considered to be the forerunner of Planned Parenthood.

For the elder Hepburn, the ACA was a natural fit. A strong believer in the power of education for women, her own mother’s last words to her were, “Get an education!” Hepburn was orphaned at an early age, but she followed her mother’s advice and earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. This was no easy feat for a woman in the early 20th century! In addition, she lived this mandate through how she raised her own daughters.

This post was written by AAUW Archivist and Records Manager Suzanne Gould.

Posted in The AAUW Community | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Moms Deserve Economic Security, Not Just Flowers

May 11, 2012, by bethscott123

As Americans prepare for Mother’s Day this weekend, it’s time to think about how we can help moms better provide for themselves and their families. The economic health of most American families is dependent on working mothers, with 70 million women working outside the home. It’s critical that these moms have access to equal pay for equal work, equitable employment opportunities, and robust retirement security. AAUW works to promote these policies so that all moms can enjoy peace of mind and economic security.

One way to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work is to urge Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. This bill would update the 49-year-old Equal Pay Act and help close the wage gap by improving enforcement, closing loopholes, strengthening remedies for mistreated workers, and prohibiting retaliation against workers who inquire about employers’ wage practices or disclose their own wages. By passing this act, we can help all women move toward equal pay for equal work.

Another step we can take for moms is to encourage Congress to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. This bill would require employers to make reasonable accommodations to protect the health of pregnant workers, such as letting them carry bottles of water or take restroom breaks. This legislation clarifies that it is unlawful to discriminate against pregnant workers by forcing them out of their jobs unnecessarily or by denying them reasonable accommodations that would allow them to keep working and providing for their families.

We can also protect moms by ensuring that they’re secure when they get older. Women are more likely to suffer financial insecurity in their later years for many reasons. They earn less than men do even when they work in the same position (which is why we need the Paycheck Fairness Act), and many women work in jobs that pay less than traditionally “male” jobs do. Women also do not spend as much time in the workforce as men do, because more women than men take time off work to raise children, and women live longer than men on average and need more resources to support a longer lifespan.

AAUW is working to make sure that the voices of all women are heard. AAUW’s It’s My Vote: I Will Be Heard campaign is making an unprecedented investment in turning out women voters. AAUW is educating, engaging, and registering millennial women voters across the country. Together, we’ll ensure that women understand what’s at stake in 2012 and know how to use their voices and their votes to influence the election!

Posted in Women & Economic Security | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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