Simon Institute to Host Miss Representation Screening

A documentary and panel discussion Tuesday night will ask the public to take a closer look at women in media.

The 2011 documentary "Miss Representation" takes a look at how the mainstream media's portrayal of women poses challenges to women who seek leadership roles in American society. The event is sponsored by several departments at Southern Illinois University Carbondale including the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute as part of their 'Women in Politics' series. Panelists will include SIU faculty and staff members as well as SIUC Chancellor Rita Cheng.

Institute director David Yepsen says that the small number of women in politics today is a major concern and that the screening is just one of the many ways the Institute tries to encourage women to become more politically involved and to run for office. The screening will be held at 5 pm Tuesday, October 23rd in Morris Library's Guyon Auditorium with a panel discussion to follow.