According to the Department of Labor, women now comprise 49.9 percent of the all U.S. workers - representing half of all workers - and mothers are the primary breadwinners in more families than ever before. In an effort to examine these ground-breaking statistics and the effects they may cause, the networks of NBC will take an in-depth look at the state of women in American life with its wide-ranging series "A Woman's Nation." The series will be produced in conjunction with the findings from a study conducted in partnership with The Center for American Progress, The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Changes Everything.
The series will debut on Sunday, October 18 when Shriver will appear with John Podesta on "Meet the Press," she will serve as Guest Editor throughout the week with coverage across NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, Telemundo, msnbc.com and the grio.com.
The project is led by Maria Shriver and the Center for American Progress (CAP), in partnership with TIME magazine, NBC Universal, Hewlett Packard, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy.
"Today" and "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" will each feature a series looking at women today. Shriver will appear on "Nightly News" Monday and Wednesday, and "Today" on Monday through Wednesday. The "Today" reports will focus on who's in charge at home, power couples and role reversal, stress for women, and dividing housework between men and women. "Nightly" will look at the state of play for women and men in the workplace, caretaking for parents, men's views of women today, and how some older women inspire young girls to succeed.
MSNBC will have daily features related to the Shriver report, with "Morning Joe" and "Andrea Mitchell Reports" featuring in-depth interviews with some of the most influential women in politics and business throughout the week, while "Dr. Nancy" focuses on women's health issues.
Maria Shriver will appear as a guest on CNBC's "Power Lunch" (12PM-2PM ET) on Monday, October 19. On a special episode of CNBC's "The Suze Orman Show" airing Saturday, Oct. 24th at 9PM & 12AM ET, Suze welcomes Maria Shriver to discuss "A Woman's Nation," and teaches women how they can become more powerful with their money.
Msnbc.com will feature an exclusive live web chat with Maria Shriver to discuss the changing role of women in America. Consumers can join the discussion and share their thoughts at AWomansNation.msnbc.com. Viewers can send in stories of inspiring women in their lives and participate in lively conversations on Newsvine and Facebook. The site will also feature a slide show of women who have inspired Shriver. Consumers can visit AWomansNation.msnbc.com to find other interactive features, join community discussion groups, and watch related video, including special reports from NBC News' anchors and reporters.
TheGrio.com will run a week-long series of reports and analysis on African-American women and their changing roles in society over the last few decades. TheGrio.com will examine their collective triumphs and travails and also profile trailblazers and women who are defying stereotypes.
"El Poder de la Mujer" will launch on Telemundo on October 19th as a five-part series that focuses on the power of the Latina woman in the U.S., her accomplishments and the success that has made her such a remarkable influence in our society. The series targets Latino women 18-49 who are looking to be inspired and empowered and make their mark in society. "El Poder de la Mujer" will run for five days during the network's "Noticiero Telemundo," broadcast at 6:30pm EST. A robust digital component will accompany the series offering additional exclusive footage with longer interviews, polls, comments from users and vignettes highlighting Latinas with online and on-air tune ins. In addition, experts will answer viewer questions and provide online tools for women to achieve their own ambitions and success.
NBC Learn will publish a special collection of content profiling outstanding women and featuring their achievements over the decades on www.iCue.com. The women's history collection includes feats and firsts from women all over the world.
NBC will also work in conjunction with TIME/TIME.com on their package on the American Woman to hit newsstands and go live on Friday, October 16. TIME's coverage will be based on exclusive research and an original comprehensive poll.
This is part of a larger NBC Universal company-wide initiative with Maria Shriver around her study, which includes a partnership with Women At NBCU, the company's female-targeted ad sales and marketing business. Women At NBCU will release findings from a complimentary study on the how the new portrait of the American woman impacts female consumer behavior.