Don Schenkel's wingtips

FWOb congratulates Kristine Foate on being named as the new President of the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce.  Ms. Foate, a longtime radio executive, will be the first woman to serve as President.

There has been much comment over the years regarding a double standard in journalism when it came to the coverage of male and female leaders in business and politics.  The double standard was that reporters might note the appearance, hairstyle or clothing of a woman in a story.  A man's hairstyle or clothing was rarely the subject of comment.

The existence of the double standard has been much derided and the newest journalistic standards take aim at it.  Evidence of a double standard still surfaces from time and time such as comments last year regarding Hillary Clinton's cleavage or discussion of Secretary Rice's appearance.

So it was with some surprise to see this paragraph in today's Journal Gazette story on Ms. Foate's selection:

The stylish dresser, who wore crocodile-and-animal-print pumps to Tuesday’s announcement [ . ]

Ms. Foate's selection was announced by Chamber Chairman Don Schenkel.

Mr. Schenkel was pictured with Ms. Foate in the photograph accompanying the story. The Journal Gazette did not note Mr. Schenkel's choice of footwear. However, Fort Wayne Observed would note that the Chairman of Tower Bank was shown wearing a vibrant blue tie.

Comments

[Kristina Frazier-Henry]

Note to all women: if you don't share the clothing and accessories tastes of the reporter covering something involving you, expect to read about it in the newspaper.

Perhaps they will also stage an intervention for you with Tim Gunn.

[Richard Boys]

Mr. Schenkel could be dressed as Happy the Clown and still command my respect. He went out of his way to help my aged mother a few years ago and I will never forget his kindness.

Ed. note:

Couldn't agree more on that assessment of Don Schenkel. One of Fort Wayne's finest.

(Although I don't really want to see anyone dressed as Happy the Clown)

[Stacey Smith]

Never in a business article would you be reading about a man's Perry Ellis tie, his Gucci shoes or the like. The disappointing part is that the reporter comment discounted a proven leader who came into the chamber with a strong plan, a desire to make a difference and the ability to act as a change agent in a business environment that requires it. KUDO's to the chamber board for pursuing such a high quality resource and keeping them in the community!

Ed. note:

I believe former Senator Fred Thompson's Gucci's were written about during the campaign in the Iowa presidential caucus.

[Craig Ladwig]

Men's clothes may not be mentioned often but when they are mentioned they make headlines. In the 1970s, for example, when there was still an American shoe industry, former GOP Sen. John Danforth campaigned long and hard to protect Missouri shoemakers from foreign competition — until, of course, a St. Louis Globe photographer got a picture of all the Italian shoes in his closet.