12/03/2025
Hello! This is the Former Film Club President Gianna Morgan. I wanted to take a moment to remember that one year ago today, my mentor Sheila Ivy Traister gave a talk-back to Film Club students here at SMC. It is also with the heaviest heart that I share her passing.
The talk-back was originally scheduled for 1 ½ hours, but it ended up lasting over three hours long. That was the type of person Sheila was—so incredibly generous with her wisdom. She wanted SMC film students to understand the crucial role of unions in the industry and to learn what it takes to build a sustainable career in film from both a creative and practical perspective.
Sheila sat on the SAG-AFTRA board where she was a George Heller Award honoree and was a part of six national film committees. A true hyphenate, Sheila was also a member of WGA and DGA. She spent 49 years championing inclusiveness, from her work as VP of the Colorado AFL-CIO—where she was instrumental in passing film incentive legislation—to creating the acting department at Colorado Film School. Sheila advocated for inclusiveness, supporting Asian Pacific Islander performers, performers with disabilities, and military veterans.
I am so blessed to say that Sheila was my mentor and I am so thankful that I was able to share her with you all. 💕
