Honoring Trailblazing
Women In Film
– Lessons For Your Personal Brand
Before there was Greta Gerwig (Barbie), there was Dorothy Arzner—the first woman to direct a talking film in Hollywood. She was known to launch the careers of a number of Hollywood actresses, including Katharine Hepburn, Rosalind Russell, and Lucille Ball. Then decades later, Julie Dash shattered barriers as the first Black woman to have a feature film, Daughters of the Dust, widely distributed in theaters. Daughters of the Dust is preserved and protected as a national treasure by the Librarian of Congress.
Yet, how often do we hear their names?
The Problem:
Despite breaking barriers, too many powerful women in film and media remain unknown because they didn’t have access to the platforms we do today. If Dorothy Arzner and Julie Dash had social media, PR strategies, and personal branding tools—imagine how different their legacies might be.
Turning Point – Why Personal Branding Is Important
As a media executive and film festival founder, I’ve seen countless talented women face the same challenge: Brilliant work—but not enough visibility. And the truth is, if you’re not positioning your brand, you’re missing opportunities.
Resolution:
Women like Dorothy and Julie paved the way, but now it’s our responsibility to ensure our work doesn’t fade into history. Whether you’re in film, business, or leadership—your brand, expertise, and story deserve to be seen and heard.
Core Lesson – Why Personal Branding is Important
📌 If you don’t control your narrative, someone else will—or worse, it won’t be told at all.
Application:
What’s one way you can take charge of your personal brand and visibility this month? Whether it’s securing media features, guesting on a podcast, or refining your brand messaging—the time to show up is now.
🧠Ever wonder how your personal brand stacks up in the marketplace?
I created a quiz called the Executive Personal Brand Audit—and it’s designed for leaders, coaches, and pros who want to grow their authority and influence.
It only takes a few minutes—and the insights might surprise you.
🎯 Take the Personal Brand Assessment Quiz
