Francesca Donner on Being Passionately Persistent
In this episode, WomenHeard podcast host Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich sits down with Francesca Donner, founder and editor-in-chief of The Persistent, a platform dedicated to amplifying women’s voices and stories with the mission to “cover women for a change.” Drawing on her years of storytelling and newsroom expertise at The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes, Donner has launched initiatives that bring together a rich variety of perspectives. In this conversation, she shares how passion and persistence can spark lasting change. Here’s a taste of what you can expect in the episode.
ANSWER THE CALL
Donner’s career as an editor in mainstream media revealed a troubling pattern: The news cycle consistently underrepresents women. “Women are often covered as an afterthought, as a sidebar to the main event, as if women are not an integral part of the story,” she says.
Her solution? Make women the lens, not just the topic. Tell stories that reflect women’s realities so they can both see and feel seen. And persistence is key, Donner adds. If we grow weary of discussing the gender pay gap, we must keep the conversation going until the gap no longer exists. If we tire of reading male-centered narratives, we must create and circulate stories that center women. Change comes when we refuse to let the conversation fade.
AI AND THE MEDIA
While AI can streamline routine tasks, it can’t replace the power of original journalism—or the human drive to challenge the status quo. AI relies on existing data; change requires fresh perspectives. That’s why Donner continues to prioritize original content that shines a light on women’s stories.
Editing is Donner’s bread and butter, but creating original content inspired by other women is what gets her out of bed each morning. “I want to tell women’s stories. I want to get these messages out there,” she says. “I want to help us reframe how people see the world because I think the way the world is framed through regular news is pretty lopsided.”
Through her passion and persistence, Donner reminds us that reframing the narrative isn’t just possible—it’s already happening. And with every story told, we move one step closer to balance.
Thank you to Francesca Donner for joining us! For the full interview, listen to NYWICI’s WomenHeard podcast.
