Women in Media share our most inspirational female figures working in the industry

Image via CoWomen at Unsplash

Our group is all about celebrating the wonderful work female-identifying content creators, journalists, presenters and more do. At one of our recent meet-ups, we shared our favourite women working in the industry right now and what we love about their work.

Name: Alyx
Course: BA Television

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
“Clara Amfo, tv presenter, radio superstar and a relatable icon. The woman can do everything, she’s constantly speaking out for what she feels is right and often candidly speaks about her own issues. She’s so natural when interview people and you can genuinely see cares for what they have to say, she manages to create authentic connections in all of her interviews - something I aspire to be able to do. She’s an all round inspiration, plus she’s always dressed to perfection!”

Name: Bryony/Bry
Course: HNC Media and Communication

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
“Laura Clery. She's an American comedian who makes hilarious content online. She wrote a book about her life that I resonated with a lot. She's a recovering addict and turned her life around and "made it" as she always wanted to. Shows self-belief goes a long way. She's proof that you can overcome any obstacles life throws your way and become things you never imagined possible.”

Name: Cathryn
Course: BA Television (3rd year)

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
“Scarlett Johansson actress. Watching her play Natasha Romanoff/ Black Widow is the reason I became interested in film and tv in the first place.”

Name: Daveena
Course: Advertising & PR

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
“Viola Davis - never gave up on her aspiring career for years no matter how many cancelled pilots she was cast in. Starting her own JuVee production company to help amplify voices that don’t tend to get heard that often.”

Name: Debra
Course: HND Media & Communication

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
“Grace Medford. She is a culture journalist who writes for multiple outlets including The Guardian, VICE, Buzzfeed and many more. She has written several articles on star Britney Spears - one of which made me break down in tears (partly based on the specific angle of the piece but also the way she had written it - language, structure, etc.).”

Name: Gemma A
Course: BA4 Television

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
“Someone who I have recently loved watching is Vicky McClure. Not only is she an amazing actress in several dramas such as Line of Duty and Trigger Point, but she has used her fame from these programmes and put it to good. Her ongoing, heartbreaking documentary, “Our Dementia Choir” shows an insight into how music therapy is dramatically beneficial to dementia patients and importance in our government supporting that. An inspiring, well presented, kind hearted and all round stunning gal to look up to.”

Name: Gemma T
Course: HNC Media & Communication

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
“I honestly think Dolly Alderton, I read ‘Everything I Know About Love’ earlier this year and it completely changed my life. It made me look at my life and how I react when it comes to dating in a different light. It’s amazing how she’s a woman, who just lives her life and somehow managed to write a book based on her dating life and friendships that has touched the hearts of millions around the world. I just think she’s amazing!”

Name: Jenna
Course: HNC Media & Communication

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
“For me, Lady Gaga was the first figure in pop culture that I looked up to. She empowers people not only through her music but uses her platform so positively, always standing up for what she believes in and supporting the LGBTQ+ community always. I will always admire her ability to express herself so beautifully too, icon.”

Name: Jessica
Course: NQ Media

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
“Candice Patton, she’s an actress who has done a lot of work over the years to empower and share the stories of women in the media industry, and their experiences with self-doubt, how they got past it etc.”

Name: Kiera
Course: HNC Media & Communication

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
“I would say Lissie Mackintosh, she’s not a very well know person and is still growing her audience but she is a motorsport content creator and has a podcast. I think she’s very inspiring as she’s been through quite a few different career paths but has now ended up as a Formula 1 presenter. As someone who loves Formula 1 I feel like she’s really opened a pathway to me that’s not familiar to lots of people. She’s really worked hard to where she is now and she has an amazing personality!”

Name: Kimberley
Course: BA Television (3rd year)

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
“I'd have to say Lili Reinhart who's an actress and I don't find her inspirational for being in Riverdale but because she is not afraid to talk about issues like her mental health, her sexuality and her body image which she's struggled with before.”

Name: Lauren
Course: HND Media & Communications

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
“Desiree Akhavan, an American filmmaker, writer and actress. Akhavan’s film Appropriate behaviour and TV Show The Bisexual are both extremely human and relatable pieces of queer media. Being POC and queer, she approaches these topics fearlessly with her own experiences and doesn’t shy away from drawing attention to the problems that exist among these communities.”

Name: Lucy
Course: HND Media & Communications

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
”Ruby Granger is a social media content creater. Her content is study, educational focused and lifestyle based. She has created a large following on her motivated brand and now has her own stationary brand which I mean iconic who doesn't love a cheeky bit of stationary”

Name: Rowan
Course: HNC Television

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
“Probably Maggie Smith as she’s been at it a good long while, she plays some of my favourite roles and just has fun with it.”

Name: Sam
Course: NQ Broadcasting

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
”Alex Scott. I’m a massive football fan and seeing a woman be so successful presenting football is incredible since punditry and football presenting are very male dominated.”

Name: Sinead
Course: HND Television

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
”Kate McKinnon, she was one of the first openly gay women i remember being on TV who wasn’t seen for just being a lesbian. Her impressions never miss and she’s created such a gateway for women in comedy she really is one of the best!”

Name: Zsófi
Course: HND Advertising & PR

A WOMAN YOU FIND INSPIRATIONAL WORKING IN THE MEDIA AND WHY:
”Liliána Szilágyi is a former Olympic athlete who recently came out publicly as a victim of domestic abuse after many years and is now supporting people with similar stories and talking about her story to show people they are not alone. She also left swimming and decided to change career paths which can be a huge inspiration for people who feel burnt out and that they worked a lot to get where they are but need a change. It is possible.”