Fresh Perspective: The Women in Print Awards

I was fortunate, early in my career, to work for an editor who was an exceptionally strong mentor – a recognized expert in printing who not only taught me a lot about publishing, but also instilled a passion for an industry I scarcely knew existed. It didn’t strike me as the least bit unusual that my role model happened to be female.

That was before I began traveling to tradeshows and association meetings, and came to realize that gender balance is not among the printing industry’s many attributes. According to a 2015 report from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up 36.9 percent of the workforce in printing, about 10 percent less than the national average across all employment sectors. But the skew in positions of authority is likely much more pronounced. A study done in the Canadian printing industry a few years ago found a similar division between the genders in the workforce as a whole, but suggested that less than one in five managers in our industry were women. At a time when proving our ongoing relevance is critical – especially to the generation that is preparing to enter the workforce now – we can’t afford to accept the entrenched stereotypes about printing that such data typify.

So, I was excited last fall as plans for the inaugural Big Picture Women in Print Awards took shape. In our September issue, we’ll be saluting six exceptional women who have advanced the digital printing industry through their innovation, vision in leading successful businesses, and philanthropy, impacting our field as a whole as well as the communities they serve.

I ask for your help in identifying candidates whose career accomplishments merit such recognition. To be considered, nominees must be in leadership roles with companies that provide printing services as a primary function. Perhaps you’ve served on an association committee with such a woman. Perhaps you’ve had the opportunity to provide her company with equipment, supplies, or services. Or perhaps, like me, you had the good fortune to have such an extraordinary individual guide you early in your career and inspire you to challenge yourself. Help her get the recognition she deserves. Learn more here; nominations are due by July 28.

P.S. Speaking of exceptional women, Big Picture is in the process of replacing our former Editor-in-Chief Robin Donovan, who recently joined the staff of sister publication Signs of the Times. If you know someone – regardless of gender – who may have the communication skills and vision to lead this brand, I’d love to hear your suggestion.

Read more from our May 2016 “Right on Track” issue.