The Triangle

Issue date: 3/5/04 Section: News
Originally published: 3/5/04 at 2:47 AM EST
Last update: 3/5/04 at 3:08 AM EST

Media Credit: Sherri Walcheski The Philadelphia Inquirer Editor-in-Chief Amanda Bennett speaks at the Women in Society dinner March 2. She discussed women´s emerging role in the workforce.

Editor-in-Chief of The Phila-delphia Inquirer Amanda Bennett was featured at the Fifth Annual Women in Society dinner March 2 in the Van Rensselaer Living Room, sponsored by the Campus Activities Board.
Bennett, who was the 10th woman to work at the Wall Street Journal and the first woman to report on the automotive industry in a major national newspaper, spoke on her experiences as a female in a male-dominated field. She also spoke of the changes that have occurred in the last 25 years as "the biggest flood of women in the workplace" has occurred.
She attributes this to a series of changes in society; for example, more husbands are staying at home, allowing women to further their careers. In addition, she mentioned changes in the manner of the workplace, which has evolved into a "more effective style which is inclusive and consultative, bringing the people into the decisions" rather than a "more dominant male style."
Bennett also spoke on the characteristics she feels are career-enhancing.
"One of the most important things is resilience, because nothing that happens is easy; nothing is straightforward, which makes it hard for you to get where you want to go," she said. "The ability to handle setbacks, to see them, absorb them and get around them is an important attribute if you want to be successful."
For young women interested in a journalism career, she advised, "Get out and write and get your stuff published," for she bases her hiring more on writing examples than resumes.
Bennett discussed her approach to The Inquirer as well, where she has been editor-in-chief since late June.
"It is a fabulous national newspaper that has been jerked around for the last five or six years," she said. She added that she is trying to formulate a whole new vision for the paper by trying "to get The Philadelphia Inquirer to be a truly great journalistic, great national newspaper by focusing on the great national news in the Philadelphia area."
Bennett is the fifth woman to be showcased in a Women in Society dinner. She was chosen to speak this year "because of her status within the region as well as in the journalism field," CAB Director of the Fine Arts Claire Lehmann said. "We felt that she would make a significant impact on the audience and the University."
Lehmann said she felt the event important for students because it "is the kickoff for Women's History Month. It gives insight to the lives of successful women. It is important to see that women are successful and can achieve their goals."
Previous speakers have included Jennifer Weiner, author of the novel Good in Bed, Nicole Cashman of Cashman Malin Partners, Gail Tomlinson, Director of Fairmount Water Works Interpretative, and Philadelphia District Attorney Lynn Abraham.

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