In mid-December, a group of fifteen visitors from Pakistan arrived in Pensacola as part of an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) titled: Increasing the Capacity of Women Journalists. Their national program dealt with examining the current and historical trends in journalism as a career for women, visiting news outlets to examine women’s leadership roles, exploring the ethics of journalism, and examining the operational practices and standards of the media in the United States. Their local project covered some of these topics, and added in was a bit of Pensacola warmth and hospitality.
To start the local itinerary, the group received a welcome at Pensacola City Hall. Former journalist and Council Member Ann Hill, Public Information Officer Allie Norton, and City Council Executive Don Kraher gave them a brief overview of the city and then discussed public information and the media. They then went to WUWF Public Radio Station for a site visit and meeting with Sandra Averhart, the news director. Here the group discussed challenges for women journalists in broadcasting. The next discussion, held with La Costa Latina Editor & Founder Grace McCaffery dealt with the challenges of minority woman in journalism and the media needs of minorities. At News Radio 1620, discussion with Owner Dave Hoxeng, Morning Show Host Andrew McKay, Sales Specialist Cali Scully, and Talk Show Host and Sales Specialist Wendi Summers focused on challenges in radio journalism.
The group had another opportunity to get to know Americans better with an informal networking coffee with locals. Because it was school holiday, several high school aged participants of the Youth Diplomat Program attended including Eden Davenport, Carrington Lowe, Katherine McCrackin, Savannah Patterson, and Annie Pratt. Media professionals in attendance included April Baker of WEAR TV, Jamie Gentry of The Navarre Press, Christina Leavenworth of WEAR TV, Margaret Marchuk of WUWF, Jenny McKeon of WUWF, Pensacola News Journal Executive Editor Lisa Nellessen Savage, and radio personality Jim Roberts. University students Gavin Ollis and Taylor Rogers also joined Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council members and supporters Kent DeSantis, Leigh DeSantis, Gloria Horning, Karen Jurkowich, E. Ben Posey, Dr. Megan Pratt, Bob Robinson, Faye Robinson, Chas Stauffer, and Linda Thompson.
At Serving the Hungry at First United Methodist Church, the visitors experienced an important part of American culture — volunteerism. Coordinator Katie Ramsey and her volunteers explained the structure and need of the service. The group then joined the Serving the Hungry team to distribute meals to the less fortunate.
To add some local culture and hospitality to the project, Joyce Black of Visit Pensacola greeted the group with souvenirs, the visitors took a Winterfest mini tour, they explored Historic Pensacola Village, and Volunteer Facilitator Susan Senkarik accompanied them to their appointments. Increasing the Capacity of Women Journalists was a great way for many in the community to get involved with the IVLP and helped introduce the journalists to a mid-sized community.
