On February 4, 2019, Missouri State University Communications announced this year’s inductees into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame. Among those listed was Emily Geraghty ’09. As stated in the recipients announcement, “The five inductees were selected as citizens with a connection to the state of Missouri who serve as examples of global citizens by defining the essence of public affairs, and who have acted consistently for the benefit of others.”
While a student at Ursuline Academy, Geraghty was involved in numerous school activities, but the most shaping among them all was her time in Broadcast. She dedicated countless hours both in and outside of class, learning the equipment and soaking up as much as she could. As stated in her inductee announcement bio, “this interest in visual media continued to grow as she learned the skills of the craft.”
Following her graduation from Ursuline Academy, she attended Missouri State University, where she studied mass media/media production. As a student, Geraghty interned in New York City with Logo, Viacom’s LGBT channel, and from there she moved to NYC after graduation in 2013 and accepted a full-time position with MTV. Since her start in NYC, Geraghty has gone on to film, edit, direct, and produce a number of videos for companies including, Allure, Bustle, and Glamour Magazine. Much of her work often focused on identity issues for women and stories of minorities. Her short documentary Pretty Big Movement Destroys Dancer Stereotypes for Iris, won the 2018 People’s Voice Webby Award. Currently Geraghty is a freelance video producer, journalist and photographer.
Last semester while in St. Louis, she visited and spoke with Ursuline’s Broadcast class to talk about video production and women in the media industry. She shared with students her experiences as a female creator in a predominantly male field, as well as some of her early and current projects, including a series she created and directed for Glamor Magazine entitled, “Women Sizes 0 to 28 in the Same Outfit.” Her latest project told the story of stroke survivor and St. Louis native Randy Miller who, through therapy and joining the Aphasia Bridge Chorus, was able to find his voice again. Through her platform, she has consistently acted for the benefit of others in sharing their stories with the world.
Geraghty will be inducted into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame on April 12, in Springfield, Missouri.