MEMBER PROFILES
Your name:
Sheila Dallas Katzman
Your title:
Officer in Charge of Public Information
and Chief of Radio UNAMSIL in the Former
United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL),
which ended on 31 December 2005.
Organisation/company:
UNAMSIL 1999 - 2005
Location:
Sierra Leone, West Africa
What kind of work have you been doing in
the last three years?
Chief of the peacekeeping radio from
1999 to 2005 and from February to December
my position was elevated to the
Officer-in-Charge, Public Information
Section where I managed 7 Units: Print,
Video, Radio, Spokesman/Media Relations,
Community Liaison and Public Outreach and
the Voice of Children (VOC) project. I
advice the Special Representative of the
Secretary-General and head of Mission on
media related issues as well as developing
trends in the media. I contribute to the
S-G’s report or any other high-level
reports. I supervise a multi-national pool
of staff both national and international,
professional and non-professional.
What education/training have you done?
I am a graduate of Hunter College, City
University of NY; Borough of Manahattan
Community College, CUNY, and the Jamaica
National School of Drama among them. Other
diplomas and certificates are in Theatre.
Yes, I am an actress, director and
playwright. I have done numerous Off
Broadway and Off-Off Broadway work, have
directed an Award Winning Play in 1984 at
the then Village Gate, titled "Heart of the
Matter," which won Best Play, Best
directing, best acting. Own play, "Ma Ma
Black Sheep" was mounted at the Henry Street
theatre in 1995. This was about my life
growing up in a foreign land - with some
embellishment. For the big screen: Extras in
Bon Fire of the Vanities, Muslim woman in
Malcolm X and a couple of television pieces
with one major principal role.
What is the most rewarding aspect of the
work you do?
The people of Sierra Leone, especially
the masses, have listened and responded to
the call for peace through the programmes I
have conceptualised and the way I ran the
Radio. I think my programme, "Breakfast
Club" was a wake up call that has touched
many lives, changed mind sets and it has
also caused pain as some in government at
times did not like when the programmes
addressed sensitive issues of the poor, the
issues of bad governance. But I really think
the most rewarding is changing the work
ethics mental attitude of the local staff.
What are your future plans?
I am returning to my home in New York
soon, I will be traveling to Dubai and
Malaysia and visit (if possible) some of my
IAWRT friends. After that, I hope to take up
another Mission and would prefer to go to
Haiti. The UN needs to establish its own
radio station there. It does not matter how
many local and active radio stations there
are – they are not promoting the peace. The
UN has to speak to the all the people
directly and at the same time; rebels and
government factions both.
How has being a member of the IAWRT
benefited you? (If it has).
Actually, it has. Besides meeting a
united nations of journalists, being on the
inside has provoked thoughts of how powerful
this organization is but does not really
seem to know it. I recently learnt about the
Blogg and other new media. I like very much
the movement of women coming together to
share. More importantly, I learn a lot from
the workshops and seminars.
What would be your ideal job/work?
Hosting a daily public affairs programme
(radio or TV) that provoke thoughts,
influene thinking, impact all walks of life
and contribute to political reform in
countries that discriminate and marginalize
women. Otherwise, just give me the theatre.
Favorite pastimes:
Horseback riding, badminton and some
tennis, I love to sing and love romantic
times.
Married/kids?
Married. Have a wonderful husband and
soulmate who is a documentary film maker.
Have a daughter and 2 grandchildren. Had
first of two children quite young.
Where/what was the last holiday you took?
Last holiday was in Jamaica in December
2004. Went fishing, a 49th Family reunion, a
party at the Prime Minister’s house and New
Years Eve Ball. Lots of fun. Had a full body
massage at Nervana and pampered myself well.
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Sheila with child
soldiers
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