We arrived at the "Channel 18 News" building eager to begin our interview with Sharman Sacchetti. It was 20 minutes before the start of the 6 o'clock news. Despite all of the construction surrounding this tiny building, we finally found the door in the alley and rang the doorbell. A man's voiced bombed through the tiny intercom asking us to state our business. After a few moments of waiting outside, Sharman came to the door and let us in.

She gave us a quick tour of the building. Then she brought us upstairs to "The News Room." As we watched the cameraman set up a shot for one of the nightly anchors, Sharman showed us a rundown of the 6 o'clock show. She also showed us how a show comes together, from the research to the editor to the anchors. Sharman then left to get ready for the show.

After a few minutes, one of the editors came to get us to take us down to the studio. It was now 5 minutes before the show was about to be aired. Two minutes later Sharman appeared with a few more layers of make-up and freshly applied hairspray. We got to sit in the actual studio while the show was being taped. During commercials Sharman and her co-anchor, Carl Proper, explained how they avoid "bloopers" and other errors.

Sharman explained to us how many people were actually involved with the making of a show. These are "the people who really save your butt," she commented. After Carl did the weather, the show was practically over. A woman came into read the sports and the show was over. After the show one of the nightly anchors came in to do some "teasers." Teasers are tiny broadcasts that air during prime time shows, which try to get you to tune into the nightly news.

Sharman then let us sit in the chairs and read some of the news to get the feel of what it is like to be on television. Then we returned to The NewsRoom and conducted our interview. An hour and a half later we were thanking Sharman for her time and heading back to Elmira College.

 

After the completion of www.women I know one thing, I do not have what it takes to be a journalist. These are exceptional women who have devoted their lives to telling the stories of others. Their work is their life. After interviewing Sharman Saccetti I learned just how much time and energy it takes to get the news out to the public. She works all day long to be on television less than a half an hour. The rest of the day she is getting the stories putting them together and giving her audience what they want. She works all day to present news to the viewers and yet we complain if it's not perfect. The group I was in also covered African American women journalist not only did they have a gender obstacle to overcome but the had one of the most difficult jobs to do. This class taught me just how hard it is for these women to do what they did each day of their career. They do and love it. They are truly exceptional women. Colleen Dorgan '01

Being enrolled in www.women was awesome. During my two years at Elmira College I have yet to obtain as much information as I have in this class. Not only did I enjoy this class but I learned a lot of information that will be used in my future. Our interview with Sharman Saccetti was a blast. We were able to watch her at work and learned the "behind the scenes" stuff, that you would normally not see. The pages we put together were hard work, but we got through it. Learning how to put a web site together amazed me. I always thought it was much harder. Now that I know how to do it, I can not wait to do another one! I hope all the visitors enjoyed this page. Jennifer Ross "01

Hey, I'm Marissa Hershman and I am just completing my freshman year here at EC. This year has been a blast for me, but it definitely wouldn't have been completed if I hadn't taken www.women. This class has introduced me to a numerous amount of courageous women that I have never heard of. But I guess at the age that I am at I am not supposed to have heard of every known women in the world. Now that this class is over I have become a professional computer specialist thanks to Diane Maluso the teacher who probably wished that I didn't give out her name. Well isn't it a shame that I did!!! I also want to thank her for all her help and admit that I had a fun time being a part of your class and have learned an immense amount of information that I shall remember.

My name is Michael Flowers and I am the only male student in a women's studies course at Elmira College. Until I took this course, I was under the impression that women's studies courses were typically male bashing feminist rallies. However, I have since then changed my mind. Women's studies courses are no different than African American history courses. As a member of the white, straight and male category, learning about the struggles women have had to endure throughout history was very enlightening. I applaud the women of our past and the women of my generation. As far as women's rights have come in such a relatively short amount of time, it is apparent that women should not and will not give up their fight until complete equality is achieved.