By Christina Martin
WRHU, Radio Hofstra, can now welcome a broader variety of listeners because of a forthcoming program that will concentrate on women’s issues. This type of program will be one of the first of its kind to be broadcast on any radio station.
The idea came about when John Mullen, operations manager, and Ed Ingles, Professional-In-Residence, met over the past summer to discuss the inclusion of different programs. When Mullen mentioned that XM and Sirius Satellite Radio were starting to think about a niche for women’s programming, Ingles immediately jumped on the idea.
“It’d be a great idea, you know,” Ingles said. “I’m sure that the students, the female students in particular, would really like to get into something like that.” Now, nearly three months into the semester, the program has been geared into action and pre-production has already started.
The women who have agreed to take part in programming are divided into groups. The groups will work together to discuss possible ideas for each show, which will be weekly half-hour pre-recorded shows. Group members will rotate various positions that include producer, engineer, anchor and such to give each member the opportunity to try out different roles.
“I think it’s a great opportunity, especially if you’re looking for a career in this because you learn all of the different aspects,” said Tracy Ferrar, a sophomore WRHU participant.
While the show is still in the preliminary stages of development, the groups have already begun to discuss possible topics. Some of the subject matters include breast cancer, nutrition, body image and women in the workplace. The show will also include interviews with renowned men and women.
Currently, two of the groups have interviews scheduled with Kareena Gore Schiff on her new book, Nine Women who Changed Modern America, as well as with the three authors of The Faith Club, a book about three women of different faiths who set out to highlight the connections between their religions.
The opportunity for WRHU to have such a fresh, new type of programming in the radio world is a great chance for the station to put its name on the map, Ingles said.
“This comes at the right time,” Ingles added. “When you start a new project and you see it come to where it really takes off and turns up to be something really big in the end, that’s great pride.”
Although the new program is still in development, the WRHU staff is very enthusiastic about the concept.
“This is a big deal because women have a lot to say and it’d be great if they could voice their opinions,” said Kim Saltmarsh, a sophomore WRHU participant. “It’s really good for the growth of women and women’s rights and it’s such a wonderful show.”
Senior Caitlin Cissne said that she agrees the production will be a step in the right direction for shining a new focus on women in radio.
“It’s a great outlet, it’s one that we don’t have anywhere else,” Cissne said.
While there is no set airdate for Women’s Programming, the first recording is scheduled in the coming weeks.
WRHU is available on 88.7 FM in Nassau County and the surround area, and can be streamed at www.wrhu.org.
