Wednesday, November 12, 5:30 p.m. ET

Penguin Random House, 1745 Broadway (between 55th & 56th Streets), Cerf-Lane Room

$15 for members; $20 for non-members; $10 for Scholars

Includes wine and light bites.

One in four American women has faced online harassment, and in some countries, this figure rises to a staggering 60% of female internet users. Women journalists, editors, and authors have long been on the front lines of harassment—and rarely get the chance to process it, name it, or strategize together. Our speakers—leaders across media and digital safety—will examine how gendered hate, disinformation, and surveillance shape public discourse and silence truth-tellers. They'll unpack the systems fueling this crisis—and explore how we can protect one another, reclaim our voices, and build safer digital spaces. They will share real tools for resistance, resilience, and repair. Register now to stand with other women in media demanding accountability, safety, and justice online.

Panelists:

Alia Dastagir is an award-winning journalist and former reporter for USA Today. Her work focuses on gender and mental health. Her groundbreaking book, To Those Who Have Confused You to Be a Person, published recently by Crown, explores how language used online can amount to psychological violence, altering women’s identities, careers, and health. Dastagir was one of eight U.S. recipients of the prestigious Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism. She won a first place National Headliner Award for a series on suicide and was awarded the American Association of Suicidology’s Public Service Journalism Award. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from NYU, where she was an Axinn Fellow.

Francesca Donner is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Persistent, a women-run, independent media organization. Founded in 2024, The Persistent covers the world — from politics to money to culture to health — through its twice-weekly newsletter, as well as events, conversation, and community. Francesca is the former gender director at The New York Times and a founding member of its Gender Initiative. She was also editor of In Her Words, a newsletter and column which drew an audience of around 300,000; served as a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal, where she focused on business and leadership; an executive editor at Quartz, a leading business publication; and was a founding editor of Forbes’ ForbesWoman initiative. Francesca has served as a moderator for both live and digital events hosted by numerous conferences and outlets, including Women’s Forum for Economy and Society, Women Political Leaders at the Reykjavik Forum, the World Economic Forum, Vital Voices, and the International Journalism Festival. Francesca holds degrees from Brown and Stanford.

Viktorya Vilk is the Director for Digital Safety and Free Expression at PEN America, which works to protect free expression in the U.S. and worldwide. She created and runs the organization’s Online Abuse Defense Program, which equips writers and journalists with self-defense training and resources, partners with media organizations and publishers to strengthen protections for writers and journalists, and conducts research and advocacy on platform accountability. Her work has been featured in PBS Newshour, The New York Times, Slate, and Harvard Business Review, and she has been a speaker at the Online News Association, RightsCon, International Journalism Festival, Investigative Reporters and Editors, and MozFest. Prior to joining PEN America, she worked on organizational strategy and development at the Art & Global Health Center Africa, a Malawian NGO that advocates for health and human rights through the arts. She has organized exhibitions, developed public programs, managed a collection re-installation project, and created innovative digital platforms showcasing art and architecture at the Jewish Museum, the Clark Art Institute, The Frick Collection, and the Courtauld Gallery.

Moderator:

Jamia Wilson is an award-winning feminist activist, writer, speaker, and podcaster. She joined Random House as Vice President and Executive Editor in 2021. As the former Director of the Feminist Press at the City University of New York and the former VP of Programs at the Women’s Media Center, Jamia has been a leading voice on women’s rights issues for over a decade. Her work has appeared in numerous outlets, including The New York Times, The Today Show, CNN, Elle, the BBC, Rookie, Refinery29, Glamour, Teen Vogue, and The Washington Post. Her most recent book is Make Good Trouble, a look at 70 stories of global activism to inspire young people to take action. She is also the author of This Book Is Feminist, Young, Gifted, and Black, the introduction and oral history in Together We Rise: Behind the Scenes at the Protest Heard Around the World, Step Into Your Power: 23 Lessons on How to Live Your Best Life, Big Ideas for Young Thinkers, ABC's of AOC, and the co-author of Roadmap for Revolutionaries: Resistance, Advocacy, and Activism for All. Jamia serves on the Omega Institute, ERA Coalition, and Center for Reproductive Rights boards, and the St. Timothy’s School Advisory Council. She is also the co-host of the second season of the Anthem Award-winning podcast, Ordinary Equality.

Refunds available up to 48 hours before the event. No refunds for cancellations made within 48 hours of the event.

Saturday, November 15, 2:00 p.m. ET

Girls Write Now, 247 W. 37th St., Suite 1000, NYC

WMG members only; FREE

Join WMG member Elise Thoron for a performance and discussion of If Beale Street Could Talk, put on by her company, Literature to Life. James Baldwin’s story about abiding love in the face of injustice remains disturbingly poignant sixty years after it was first published. Told from the perspective of its young heroine, this is the story of one family’s fight for justice in a society where institutional discrimination has the power to destroy lives, a theme that resonates today with audiences from all walks of life. If Beale Street Could Talk will be performed by Channie Waites and was adapted and directed by Elise. This event will be held at Girls Write Now, which is a scholarship partner of WMG. Space is limited.

WMG’s Small Group Socials are a long-standing tradition and remain one of our most popular program series. This is a wonderful way to facilitate meaningful connections among members. If you have any specific questions, please reach out to the host directly. All member contact information can be found in the Member Directory.

Thursday, December 4, 12:00 p.m. ET

Red Rooster Harlem (the acclaimed Marcus Samuelsson restaurant), 310 Lenox Ave. (between 125th & 126th Streets), NYC

Early Bird: $75 members | $85 non-members

Regular: $85 members | $95 non-members

Lunch included

Join WMG for a powerful and timely conversation with Karine Jean-Pierre, former White House Press Secretary and author of the highly anticipated memoir, Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines.

In her book, Karine examines America’s fractured two-party system and calls for a renewed focus on values over party loyalty. Having served in senior roles under Presidents Obama and Biden, Karine offers an insider’s perspective on partisan divisions and democracy, and provides insight for ways to move forward.

The discussion will be moderated by Natasha S. Alford, Senior Vice President at TheGrio.

This special in-person event continues WMG’s tradition of bringing together extraordinary women whose ideas challenge and inspire. Enjoy a seated lunch, networking with fellow members, and a thought-provoking discussion that will stay with you long after the event.

Speaker:

Karine Jean-Pierre was the White House Press Secretary and Special Advisor to former President Joe Biden. She has worked in senior communications and political offices in both the Biden and Obama Administrations. Prior to her time in the White House, Jean-Pierre was the Chief Public Affairs Officer for MoveOn.org. She is a graduate of Columbia University.

Moderator:

Natasha S. Alford is an award-winning journalist, host, author, and media executive recognized for harnessing the power of storytelling to inspire and educate. Currently serving as Senior Vice President at TheGrio, Natasha leads with a commitment to amplifying overlooked stories and shaping narratives that matter. She is a trusted voice in media, regularly providing insightful commentary on politics, social justice, and culture.

Refunds available up to 48 hours before the event. No refunds for cancellations made within 48 hours of the event.

Tuesday, January 27, 6:00 p.m. ET (VIP Reception) | 7:15 p.m. General Admission

Get ready for a night of fearless, full-throttle comedy with Women’s Media Group, celebrating women who rule the mic and the moment. Featuring Sarah Cooper, Ophira Eisenberg, and Phoebe Robinson — plus more comedians to be announced — this live show brings together some of the funniest and most fearless voices in entertainment. Bring friends, bring your sense of humor, and get ready to laugh, connect, and unwind with WMG. Reserve your spot today — general admission seats will go fast!

Want the full experience? Go VIP and step into an exclusive pre-show mixer where the energy is as bright as the talent on stage. Sip, snack, and connect with WMG’s Co-Presidents, Board, members, and special guests before the night’s comedy lineup begins. Your VIP ticket includes time for cocktails and conversation — because the best laughs start with the best company!

Comedians:

Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and producer based in New York City, best known for her satirical videos of Donald Trump during the pandemic. She is the creator and star of the Netflix comedy special Everything’s Fine, directed by Natasha Lyonne, and author of the bestselling book How to Be Successful without Hurting Men’s Feelings. In 2020, she was named a New York Times Breakout Star, a Breakthrough Performer for the Associated Press, and one of Vulture’s Comedians You Should Know. She has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and The Jimmy Kimmel Show. Her debut memoir, Foolish: Tales of Assimilation, Determination, and Humiliation, was released in 2023 from Dutton. Credits include The Wanderers (Off-Broadway), Unfrosted (Netflix), and the forthcoming The Housemaid (Lionsgate).

Ophira Eisenberg is a Canadian-born standup comedian, writer, and host. She hosted NPR’s comedy trivia show Ask Me Another for nine years and is the host of the new comedy podcast Parenting Is a Joke, co-produced by iHeart Radio and Pretty Good Friends Productions. Ophira filmed Inside Joke, her comedy special about surprisingly finding herself expecting at “an advanced maternal age,” when she was 8½ months pregnant. Her new comedy album, Plant-Based Jokes, is available on iTunes and is streaming now on YouTube. Her other comedy albums are Bangs! and As Is. Ophira is a regular host and storyteller with The Moth, and her stories were featured in two of The Moth’s bestselling collections. Ophira’s first book, Screw Everyone: Sleeping My Way to Monogamy (Seal Press), was optioned for a feature film.

Phoebe Robinson is a standup comedian, bestselling author, producer, actress, and publisher. Phoebe is the author of the essay collections You Can’t Touch My Hair, Everything’s Trash, but It’s Okay, and Please Don't Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes, and, in 2020, she launched her own imprint, Tiny Reparations Books. Robinson is also the co-creator and co-star of the podcast 2 Dope Queens, as well as the HBO series of the same name. Other onscreen work includes the TV adaptation of Everything’s Trash and the standup special Sorry, Harriet Tubman, both of which are produced by her company, Tiny Reparations. She was the recipient of Variety’s Comedy Innovator Award for her work and continued contribution in comedy. Her second standup special, I Don't Wanna Work Anymore, premiered October 7 exclusively on YouTube.

Refunds available up to 48 hours before the event. No refunds for cancellations made within 48 hours of the event.