Dewey has taken bold steps during the past year to promote innovation and advancement within the industry. Among those achievements has been the extension of the Conan brand into additional content experiences across all screens and launching “Feminist Fridays” at Turner—a rally for female employees to share ideas, discuss timely issues and just celebrate and support one another. In that spirit, Dewey along with Screen Actors Guild executive producer Kathy Connell chose to have all the award presenters at the annual SAG award show be female. Dewey says she admires the women in the White House press corps, “who are doing such an important job, and who are being subjected to such abuse.”
What’s a recent example of a step forward for women in the media industry?
There has been an unfortunate long history of women silently absorbing sexual harassment and micro aggressions in the workplace out of perceived necessity. I see a big change. As more and more light is shone on unacceptable behaviors, one very positive outcome is seeing so many women have an immediate no tolerance response today. That represents a tremendous sea change. And, in my view, men’s behavior will have to change dramatically as a result.
Who is an inspirational woman you admire, and why?
I admire all of the women in the White House press corps, and our free press generally, who are doing such an important job, and who are being subjected to such abuse. The men too, frankly. The pursuit of truth has never been more important to our future. It’s hard to watch these journalists be mocked, demeaned and at times threatened, while performing such an important societal function. They have my respect and gratitude.
If there were a reality show based on your office, what would it be called?
On any given day, it might be “High Noon,” “They Are Paying Us for This?” or very frequently “The Women Should Definitely Be in Charge.”
