Reed Smith is pleased to announce that it is the first law firm to become a member of the #SeeHer Movement, an initiative which aims to create a more accurate portrayal of women in the media.  Despite the great strides made to accurately portray women and girls in the media, there still exists an unconscious bias against how women and girls are shown.  Age-old stereotypes and clichéd behavior persist and this is what women and girls see in the media every day.

The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) launched the #SeeHer initiative in partnership with The Female Quotient (TFQ) at the 2016 United States of Women Summit.  #SeeHer’s mission is to increase the accurate portrayal of women and girls in media twenty-percent (20%) by 2020, the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote in the U.S.  The name #SeeHer comes from the idea that “if you can see her, you can be her”.  The initiative’s goal is best expressed in its own words:

#SeeHer is not political.  It does not take sides.  It is interested only in creating a world in which every woman and every girl sees themselves as they really are in advertising and media.  Because we are not just marketers, or producers, or storytellers.  We are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters.  We believe that we owe it to ourselves, our businesses and our families to create a more just and equitable society.

As one of various objectives, Reed Smith will create an internal campaign of short films for media celebrating its partnership with #SeeHer and highlighting the inspirational women of the firm. The videos will complement the movement by speaking in support of gender equality and illustrating stories that will motivate and inspire women in all industries, including the law.

For additional information regarding the #SeeHer Movement, visit www.SeeHer.com or contact Keri S. Bruce (KBruce@ReedSmith.com) or Stacy K. Marcus (SMarcus@ReedSmith.com).