The Op-Ed Project Sparks Conversation in SF Chronicle

The San Francisco Chronicle published a feature on The Op-Ed Project in its Datebook section last week and highlighted the work of its founder Katie Orenstein. Katie, a 2008 Echoing Green Fellow, began the Project in order to address the lack of female visibility on American op-ed pages. She does so by hosting bimonthly seminars for women that offer tips on how to write quality op-ed pieces, and stress the importance of such contributions because they enrich public debate and catalyze professional growth. Katie has inspired 1,500 participants already and plans to add 150 graduates a month to her total.  

Following the Datebook feature, Lois Kazakoff, deputy editorial page editor for The Chronicle, responded with her own article in which she confirmed Katie’s concerns:

“As The Chronicle's Open Forum editor for many years, I can tell you unequivocally that women are infrequently published because they infrequently submit op-ed pieces. This is also true of our Letters to the Editor.”

Motivated by The Op-Ed Project’s recent coverage and Katie’s work, Lois encouraged more women and underrepresented parties to submit their much-sought-after opinions in order to diversify the perspectives from which we hear in the media.  

Read more of Lois’ response, and view the original article in Datebook.