Throughout the past three decades, the drinking culture of the United States has changed. Marketing campaigns, estimated demographics, and the mass media have embraced middle-class women as the dominate consumers of alcohol. Staggering statistics highlight the increase in wine production and sales throughout the 2000s due to the increase in consumption by women; however, the love connection between women, alcohol, and popular culture dates back more than 100 years. Acceptance and accountability have changed in recent years. Unlike previous decades, women are now encouraged to order and drink at the bar. Campaigns and special promotions have evolved beyond “ladies night.” In this session, we will briefly review the timeline leading up to 2015’s socially acceptable CougarTown approach to drinking. We will highlight key examples in pop culture, new shifts in marketing trends, and society’s influence on the changing role of women’s alcohol consumption. Grab a glass as we explore this new movement, Cheers!
About the presentersDenise M. Chaytor-Zugarek
Denise has worked in higher education for 14 years. She has taught courses in Communication Studies, Mass Communication, and College Success at various institutions since 2001. Denise has also worked for East Stroudsburg University’s TRiO Upward Bound program since 2004 and as the Retention Specialist for TRiO Student Support Services at Bloomsburg University since 2012.
Meghann Ryan-Posthumus
Meghann is a media psychologist who has presented at a variety of conferences including: MAPACA, APA, PCA/ACA, FWPCA, and NAMLE. She is a chairperson for the Food & Culture panel at MAPACA. Her research interests include: food studies, beer culture and media consumption.
Her previous faculty appointments were in communication and English departments at colleges in eastern Pennsylvania. After fourteen years of teaching, Meghann currently works as an instructional designer while pursuing a PhD.