The October meeting of the Manhattan branch of AAUW featured an eye-opening talk from Birgit Wassmuth, Ph.D., Director of K-State’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications, titled “Women in the Media.” Dr. Wassmuth began the lecture with an overview of three media and culture theories: social comparison theory, symbolic interaction and framing theory, and cultivation theory. Wasmuth explained that groups of people not represented in media are made almost invisible. Dr. Wassmuth used music videos and images to make her well-studied points. She ended by suggesting media with empowering, serious coverage of women, including the PBS series, Makers: Women who make America.

The next Manhattan AAUW branch meeting will be held at the First Congregational Church, 700 Poyntz Avenue, 6pm, Monday, November 9. The meeting will feature a program on “Native American Women’s Powers: Past, Present, and Future” by Yolanda Broyles-González, Director, American Ethnic Studies Department, Kansas State University. Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com.