Werden's Legacy in Feminist Media and Community Radio
The landscape of community broadcasting and feminist journalism has been significantly shaped by the lifelong dedication of Werden. Starting her career in the early 1970s, Werden focused on amplifying marginalized voices, specifically those of women, through radio and television. Her work transitioned from local Texas broadcasts to international leadership roles, bridging the gap between grassroots communication and global policy.
Early Career and the Rise of Feminist Radio
Werden entered the media field in 1973 with the Longhorn Radio Network. During this formative period, she produced Women Today, a series dedicated to the feminist movements occurring across Texas. By 1975, she expanded her scope of social commentary by co-producing What’s Normal?, a multipart series exploring homosexuality.
In 1983, Werden's expertise led her to National Public Radio (NPR), where she produced docudramas—dramatic works based on factual events—focusing on various women writers. During this time, she collaborated with Judie Pasternak to establish a women’s news caucus at the National Federation of Community Radio Broadcasters conference, further institutionalizing the role of women in community media.
The Founding of WINGS and Global Expansion
A pivotal moment in Werden's career occurred in 1985 when she became the operations manager of Western Public Radio in San Francisco. In 1986, alongside Katherine Davenport and Augusta Del Zotto, she co-founded WINGS: Women's International News Gathering Service. This initiative was heavily inspired by Media Report to Women, a newsletter produced by The Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press (WIFP).
The first WINGS newscast aired in May 1986, made possible through financial support from NPR’s Satellite Program Development Fund. While the operation began in a San Francisco home, Werden eventually relocated the base back to Austin, Texas, following the death of Katherine Davenport from leukemia in 1992.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Advocacy, Technology, and International Leadership
Throughout the 1990s, Werden deepened her commitment to women-led media. In 1993, she became an associate of the Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press (WIFP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing communication between women and connecting the public with women-based media. During this decade, she also produced Women's News Hour, a cable access television show in Austin.
Werden also recognized the importance of digital accessibility. From 1993 to 2002, she worked with Genevieve Vaughan’s Foundation for a Compassionate Society to establish and staff Women's Access to Electronic Resources (WATER).
Global Representation and Governance
Werden's influence extended to the global stage through her work with AMARC (the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters). In 1998, she was appointed the North America Representative to the Women's International Network of AMARC in Milan. This role allowed her to represent AMARC on the Task Force on Gender Issues of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva.
Her leadership continued with her election as president of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television in 2005, and her service as Vice President for North America on the AMARC international Board of Directors from 2002 to 2007.
Key Facts
- WINGS: Co-founded the Women's International News Gathering Service in 1986.
- International Roles: Served as North America Representative for AMARC and represented them at the ITU in Geneva.
- Academic Contribution: Spoken Word Coordinator at CJSF-FM, Simon Fraser University, from 2002 to 2014.
- Major Awards: Recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from the NCRA (2006) and the International Association of Women in Radio and TV (2015).
Career Milestones Summary
| Year/Period | Organization/Project | Role/Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Longhorn Radio Network | Produced Women Today |
| 1983 | National Public Radio (NPR) | Produced docudramas on women writers |
| 1986 | WINGS | Co-founder |
| 1993-2002 | Foundation for a Compassionate Society | Established WATER |
| 2002-2014 | CJSF-FM (Simon Fraser University) | Spoken Word Coordinator |
| 2019 | ARTxFM / WXOX | Art FM Radio Pioneer Award |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WINGS?
WINGS, or Women's International News Gathering Service, is a media service co-founded by Werden in 1986 to provide international news focused on women's perspectives.
What was the purpose of the WATER project?
Women's Access to Electronic Resources (WATER) was established to help women gain access to and utilize electronic resources, operating under the Foundation for a Compassionate Society.
Which international bodies did Werden represent?
Werden represented AMARC (World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters) on the Task Force on Gender Issues of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva.
What awards has Werden received for her work?
She has received two Lifetime Achievement Awards (one from the NCRA in 2006 and one from the International Association of Women in Radio and TV in 2015), as well as the 2019 Art FM Radio Pioneer Award.
What was Werden's role at Simon Fraser University?
From 2002 to May 2014, Werden served as the Spoken Word Coordinator at CJSF-FM, the university's campus-community radio station in Burnaby, BC.