Janet Fitch

 Janet Fitch creates films that take us away from the world of never-ending polarizing frameworks to offer a fresh glimpse of expanded thinking and sensible solutions to critical social problems. As director of the award-winning, 3-part documentary series, Guns, Grief and Grace in America, Fitch stands out among her peers in the emerging field of community engagement. "Act locally/think globally" is a guiding principle for Fitch. As a producer/director/writer and outreach specialist, she plays a variety of roles in her endeavor to make America more literate on gun violence issues. Fitch works with both national and international organizations ranging from Gettysburg College to an International Women’s Conference in Ireland. At the same time, she works intrinsically with her own community in raising awareness about gun violence and the issues related to it. Fitch is a consistently active member of her community, holding multiple positions - most recently as a member of the Steering Committee for the Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI) of the Medical College of Wisconsin. Fitch’s work often airs on Public Television and bears witness to her commitment to succeed at the intersection of the arts and social change. Recognition of her work includes a wide range of accolades and awards including: the Milwaukee Business Journal's Women of Influence in Public Policy, Communicator of the Year from Women in Communication; Activist of the Year from the Shepherd Express weekly newspaper in 2004 and the Service to the Community Alumni Award from Alverno College in 2008.