Valeska Hilbig
Whether she's preserving the Star-Spangled
Banner or Julia Child's Kitchen.
Valeska Hilbig loves her PR work for the Smithsonian's
National Museum of American History
"The fun part of working in this museum is
that I am involved with all the curators and all the collections.
In my time here, I have promoted the museum's launch of Jazz Appreciation
Month, the preservation of the original Star-Spangled Banner, our
acquisition of Deep Blue - the chess playing super computer, the
300th Anniversary of the Invention of the Piano, the first computer
bug, California gold bars, Woody Guthrie, clothes pins and an exhibition
in commemoration of the first anniversary of September 11th. This
is not just a job for me, and my work here is rich and rewarding,
never routine or mundane."
How long have you been a WWPR member? Why did
you join?
I've been a member for about 4 or 5 years, almost as long as I have
been in this position. I find it important to meet others who work
in my profession to compare notes, to share experiences and of course
to network! WWPR is a local group of women who get together not
only for informal luncheons, useful presentations, and formal panel
discussions, but also perform pro-bono work and a host of other
activities.
What is your professional background, training
and work experience?
I came to public relations in a round about way. I earned a Masters
degree in Public History from New Mexico State University. People
always asked: "What are you going to do with that? Are you going
to become a professor"? I love history but I knew I was not cut
out for research libraries or classrooms. Rather, I wanted to be
able to combine my love for the many stories that history tells
with my wish to meet people and my somewhat sick craving to stay
busy. What better place to work than the Public Affairs Office at
the National Museum of American History where I get to work with
the media and the public and tell them about the wonderful collections,
exhibitions and programs here. It doesn't get better than this.
What are your current responsibilities?
I am part of a three-person full-time team, plus a one-year temporary
employee in the Office of Public Affairs for the Smithsonian's National
Museum of American History. This office has a terrific director,
Melinda Machado, and luckily we all get along well. We do it all
and our work is very hands-on. Our budget is limited and we don't
usually hire PR firms or services, so we have to be very creative
to stretch our human and financial resources in the most effective
ways. We promote the exhibitions and public programs here in the
museum, try to promote our curatorial experts and vast collections
as resources to the media, and respond to public and media inquiries
that run the full range of topics. Often we have one or two interns
who help us with many aspects of the day-to-day operations but they
always leave just when they are fully trained.
Any recent exciting projects that you're really
proud of?
Exciting projects...where to start. Last year the museum opened
an exhibition of Julia Child's actual kitchen, yes, including the
kitchen sink. I headed the publicity for the project, which stretched
for about ten months, from the time she donated her kitchen to us
to the opening. Our campaign was just named "Campaign of the Year"
by the Bulldog Awards. That was a real highlight, plus I got to
meet Julia Child who is a really terrific person.
What do you like best about your job?
The versatility. Different topics, interesting people, fascinating
objects.
What do you feel is the biggest challenge for
women in Washington?
In this economy with dwindling PR budgets and employment budgets,
it is a challenge for everyone. I do think that the glass ceiling
is still firmly in place. Women continue to chip away at it and
have been making progress over the years. On the other hand, Public
Relations has slowly evolved into what is sometimes referred to
as a pink collar profession and yet the ratio of women to men in
top positions with seats at the decision making table is not reflective
of the percentage of women in this profession.
Outside of work, what activities do you enjoy?
I like to do a little bit of everything but mostly I like to read,
go to concerts of all musical genres and opera, go for walks and
travel around the world. Most recently, a friend asked my husband
and me to take care of her house and two pugs in The Hague, the
Netherlands for three weeks over New Years.
Tell us something about yourself that isn't
on your resume?
After I graduated from college in southern New Mexico I supported
myself with three part time jobs. I worked at the local history
museum and the university art gallery. In addition, I made cheesecake,
biscotti and brownies for an alternative movie theater in a 100-year
old adobe building. I can't believe that I turned on my oven during
the hot summers in the New Mexican desert, but have been told that
my baked goods were quite popular.
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