This document discusses feminism in the public relations industry. While women dominate PR, men still hold most leadership roles and sexism persists. Some issues include women being judged for having families, assumptions that women are only in PR because they are women, and the idea that women's bodies must be both strong and feminine. The document argues that true equality will require changing societal views of women workers and leaders.

1. FEMINISM IN PR Emma Montague

2. ARTICLE REVIEW
o While women dominate the PR industry, there is still sexism within
the workplace
oThere are more males in leadership roles than females
oHowever some women are paid more than their male equivalents
oSexism now accounts for the women who chose to have families

3. CONCEPT REVIEW
o Feminist Approach: This idea looks at the different types of
discrimination based on gender, specifically towards women.
o This includes sexual harassment, discourse at women-led
businesses, and disciplined bodies

4. FEMINISM IN PR
o There are many industries where sexism is an issue, and PR is one
of them.
o Although predominantly worked by women, many men still hold the
higher leadership positions.

6. FEMINISM IN PR
o Some of this is changing: some women are finally earning more than
their male counterparts
o Some companies with female leaders are more successful than those
with male leaders
o Women have less to worry about now when it comes to sexual
harassment thanks to new awareness brought to the issue

7. FEMINISM IN PR
o It isn’t getting better entirely.
o The problem now is that women who are young and pretty and
willing to work long hard hours are being picked above everyone else.
o Women who chose to start a family are seen as washed up and not
useful anymore.
o Some families weren’t prepared to face society’s judgements for
letting the female be the bread winner and letting the man stay at
home and take care of the children.
oSome would argue that it is still a common thought that women are
only in PR because they’re a woman and women are great at
establishing relationships.
o They still think of PR women as “dumb” and unable to do most of

8. FEMINISM IN PR
o Many argue that the only way this will change is when society
changes its opinion of blonde women, or young women, or women
who want to start a family while they are working.
o The Feminist agenda in the workplace goes much farther than equal
salary, because as I mentioned earlier, in the PR field, we have
surpassed them. We want to be recognized for our brains over our
looks, and we want the chance to have all the opportunities in life.
o After all, no one would question a man who chose to start a family
during his career.

9. FEMINISM IN PR
o In the text, the idea of disciplined bodies is discussed
o This is the idea that women’s bodies need to be strong and
unwavering in the work place. But also, it needs to show the right
amount of femininity.
o While I think that this is completely true, I also believe that this is a
ridiculous study that was done. It is completely upsetting that the
world only views women as competent to lead if she is built strong. It
shouldn’t matter what her body looked like, as long as she was
pleased with it.
o Also, why does femininity and strength contradict each other? Why
can’t they mean one and the same?

10. FEMINISM IN PR
o The text also discusses discourse at women-lead businesses
o It talks about the arguments and fights that take place within an all-
female work staff. It reports of more cattiness and passive aggressive
actions
o The book even mentions that one study believed that women
behaved this way towards each other because of their menstrual
cycles.

11. QUESTIONS
Why does it matter what a woman looks like? She runs a company the
same no matter what she looks like.

12. QUESTIONS
I would like to see more research on women bosses in the PR field
and how successful they are. I would also like to compare and
contrast the differences between female and male bosses and the
success of the companies.

13. QUESTIONS
Why don’t people think that women with children can be successful?
Why are the young single women seen as idea employees?

14. QUESTIONS
What can we do to further lower the amount of sexual harassment?
What can we do to change the way society sees women workers and
leaders?
Why does femininity contradict the idea of strength in women’s
bodies?

15. WORK CITED
o Parker, Daney. "PR Moment - Home of Public Relations." PR Moment.
18 July 2013. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.
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