What is the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media? Founded in
2004 by Academy Award®-winning actor and advocate Geena Davis,
the Institute and its programming arm, See Jane, are at the
forefront of changing female portrayals and gender stereotypes
in children's media and entertainment. The Institute is uniquely
positioned to spotlight gender inequalities at every media and
entertainment company through cutting-edge research, education,
training, strategic guidance and advocacy programs. Our mission
is to work within the entertainment industry to dramatically
alter how girls and women are reflected in media. Why Did Geena
Davis Create the Institute and See Jane? While watching
children's entertainment with her young daughter, Geena Davis
was astounded by the dearth of female characters. Fueled to take
action, she commissioned the largest research project on gender
in film and television ever undertaken, conducted by Dr. Stacy
Smith at the USC Annenberg School for Communication &
Journalism. The research con