Despite filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom telling a YWCA luncheon audience about the media demeaning women, and encouraging the group to become more empowered, some in attendance were unwilling to offer their own assessments on the record.

On Friday, at least a dozen women politely demurred when asked by a reporter about Newsom's documentary film, "Miss Representation," showing the media's exploitation of women.

One individual from the audience did step forward.

"It was inspirational to hear her talk about where we are, and the role women can play on the female front," said Jill Jones, of Salt Lake City.

"Miss Representation," which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival, examines the media's role in limiting women's value to their youth, beauty and sexuality — not their capacity as leaders.

Newsom, an actress-turned-filmmaker, said it's time to break the cycle that is making it difficult for women to obtain leadership roles and for girls to reach their full potential.

"We must change our cultural landscape — and change it in a big way," Newsom told nearly 1,000 people attending the luncheon in Salt Lake City.

The YWCA raises about a quarter of its funds from its annual luncheon. Proceeds help pay for a domestic violence shelter, transitional housing, children's advocacy and intervention programs and crisis hotlines.

Midvale Mayor JoAnn Seghini, who identified herself as a survivor of domestic violence, praised the organization's efforts in helping children and women in abusive households.

"It takes a battered woman a long time to stop blaming herself, to stop being a victim and to come to believe she is a person of value," she said, adding to a wave of applause: "I am not a victim, and I will never again be a victim."

Newsom said the media is negatively influencing still another generation because so few women are in positions of power. For instance, women hold only 3 percent of the leadership positions in the mainstream media, including telecommunications, entertainment, publishing and advertising. And women comprise only 7 percent of directors and 13 percent of film writers in the top 250 grossing films, she said.

Newsom said she has witnessed sexism both in entertainment and politics, thanks in part to the jobs of her husband, Gavin Newsom, a former San Francisco mayor and now California's lieutenant governor.

"The world is out of balance," Newsom said. "We have wars, a rise in terrorism, crime, degradation of the environment and our education and health care systems are a mess. [It's] not a stretch to say that our leadership is not working."

Americans are picking their leaders among only 6 percent of the population, limiting choices to white, heterosexual men over age 35 and with advanced degrees, she said. Leaders in turn, are making "similar decisions."

"We are not tapping into the full potential of humanity," said Newsom. "It's time to bring new ideas and perspectives to the table."

dawn@sltrib.com

Twitter: @DawnHouseTrib —

MissRepresentation.org.

Provides education materials on empowering women and girls.

Promotes "Miss Representation," a documentary on the exploitation of women in media.

The Oprah Winfrey Network has added "Miss Representation" to its OWN Documentary Film Club.

The film is scheduled to premiere Oct. 20, on OWN. Times to be announced. —

YWCA Families in Jeopardy programs

24-hour Domestic Violence Crisis Line • 801-537-8600.

Domestic Violence Shelter • Provides food, clothing, medical care, counseling.

Transitional housing • Affordable shelter for up to two years.

Children's Advocacy • Child care, academic support and other services.

Family Justice Center • 801-236-3370, partnership services for adults in abusive relationships.

Newborn Crisis Line• 1-866-458-0058, help giving up newborn custody within three days of birth.