Caitlin McCarthy

I attribute my success to consistently saying yes to opportunities and trusting that genuine intention and positive action tend to open the right doors over time. My career has included years of writing scripts, winning competitions, and being accepted into fellowships and labs without immediate production success, but those experiences led to valuable travel, relationships, and learning opportunities that shaped my growth in unexpected ways. I strongly believe in putting yourself out there and not saying no to yourself—because while rejection is inevitable, it only takes one yes to create real change. Over time, I’ve come to see all my experiences in public relations, teaching, and screenwriting as interconnected parts of a larger whole, each building skills that strengthen the others and ultimately form a versatile professional toolkit.

The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my mother, who suggested that I become a teacher. At the time, I didn’t fully realize how impactful that guidance would be, but it ultimately led me to a path that not only allows me to teach but also deeply supports my work as a writer and advocate. Teaching has strengthened my ability to communicate ideas clearly, connect with diverse audiences, and share knowledge in a meaningful way, all of which have enriched and complemented my creative and professional pursuits.

The best advice I would give to young women entering my industry is to stay true to your own voice, even when it feels challenging to do so. In screenwriting, you will inevitably receive notes that can be frustrating or confusing, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to please everyone. I’ve learned the importance of “listening for the note behind the note” and responding in a way that honors feedback while still protecting your original vision. As women, we can sometimes be conditioned to be people-pleasers, but it’s essential to navigate feedback diplomatically—making others feel heard without compromising your own integrity or creative direction. Ultimately, you have to be able to stand by your work, accept that you won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and trust that staying authentic is more valuable than universal approval.

The biggest challenges in my field include breaking into Hollywood as a middle-aged woman without established industry connections, as well as the continued under-recognition of DES (diethylstilbestrol exposure) in both medical and public discourse. At the same time, there are meaningful opportunities emerging, particularly as awareness of DES grows through recent governmental acknowledgments, apologies, and parliamentary hearings. This increasing visibility creates space to expand education, reach wider audiences, and strengthen advocacy efforts, allowing me to use storytelling and public engagement to further both understanding and impact in this area.

The most important values in my work and personal life are perseverance, authenticity, and making a meaningful impact. As a DES daughter and survivor, advocacy is deeply personal to me, and one of my most significant achievements was helping secure a government apology from Scotland after decades of silence around DES, reinforcing my belief in the importance of documenting harm and ensuring lived experiences are acknowledged. I am also passionate about public education and protecting access to it, as well as animal welfare through rescue work, including my commitment to “adopt, don’t shop” and caring for rescue Westies, such as my beloved late dog Finbar, a former puppy mill survivor featured in Time Magazine.