Jan Lisa Huttner

Jan Lisa Huttner
Huttner in 'Jane Addams' costume, September 2010
Born	December 10, 1951 Newark, New Jersey, USA
Occupation	Film Critic/Feminist Activist
Parent(s)	Edwin Huttner Helen Hecht Huttner
Awards	AAUW-Illinois 2012 Agent of Change

Jan Lisa Huttner (born December 10, 1951) is an American film critic, journalist and activist. Huttner has authored columns for prominent publications, including the Huffington Post, and is the author of a blog, "The Hot Pink Pen," which is devoted to reviewing films by women filmmakers. She is also known for her work as a proponent of Jane Addams Day, which was officially adopted by the State of Illinois on December 10, 2007.

Early life and career

Jan Lisa Huttner was born on December 10, 1951 at the Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. Her family moved to Livingston, New Jersey in 1960, where Huttner completed high school.^[1] Huttner completed her undergraduate studies at St. John’s College in 1973, and subsequently earned master's degrees from Harvard University and the University of Chicago.^[2]

Film criticism

After working as a computer system consultant for nearly 20 years, Huttner turned to a new career as a film critic and feminist activist in 2002.

In late 2008, Huttner launched a campaign to recognize Loveleen Tandan as a nominee for Best Director at the 66th Golden Globe Awards. Tandan was credited as "Co-Director: India" on the film Slumdog Millionaire, but the film's Best Director nomination recognized only Danny Boyle as a directing nominee. Huttner launched a campaign to have Tandan recognized, as well. Tandan distanced herself from the campaign and claimed she had no interest in sharing the nomination with Danny Boyle.^[3]

In late 2011, Huttner published her first book, “Penny’s Picks: 50 Films by Women Filmmakers 2002-2011.” The book, which is a compilation of Huttner’s reviews from various publications, focuses on films that involved female screenwriters and directors.

In September 2014, Huttner published another book, Tevye's Daughters: No Laughing Matter, to honor the 50th anniversary of Fiddler on the Roof's Broadway debut.^[4] In the book, Huttner discusses the "synergies” that account for Fiddler on the Roof's popularity and argues that the musical's creators were participants in a great conversation about women’s rights.

Role in Jane Addams Day

Huttner supported the effort to recognize Jane Addams with an official holiday. The Illinois chapter of the AAUW also supported the effort and encouraged students to lobby for the holiday to be officially recognized by the state.^[5] In May 2006, Governor Rod Blagojevich signed legislation officially declaring December 10 to be “Jane Addams Day.”^[5] Addams was one of the first women to have a commemorative day in the entire United States.^[5]

Huttner also successfully campaigned for the Louise Bourgeois’ commemorative Addams sculpture series “Helping Hands” to be removed from storage. A recreation of the sculpture series is on display near the Clarke House Museum.

Recognition and Awards

Huttner has received Silver Feather Awards on three separate occasions from the Illinois Woman's Press Association.^[6] In 2005, she also received a first place certificate for "Best News Writing for the Web" from the National Federation of Press Women.

References