FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Variety’s Power of Women Celebrates the Entertainment Industry’s Most Philanthropic and Inspiring Women
Honorees at the April 24th New York City Event Include Glenn Close, Lena Dunham, Whoopi Goldberg, Rachel Weisz and Kim Kardashian West
LOS ANGELES, CA, April 14, 2015 – Variety is pleased to announce Variety’s Power of Women: New York at Cipriani Midtown on April 24, 2015. In partnership with Lifetime, Variety is thrilled to gather an intimate group of the entertainment industry’s most philanthropic women who have been selected as Variety’s “Inspiration Impact Honorees.” Through their humanitarian efforts, these women have made a significant difference to their chosen causes.
The honorees include three-time Emmy Award® and three-time Tony Award® winning actress Glenn Close (for her work with Bring Change2Mind), two-time Golden Globe® winning actresses Lena Dunham (Girls Educational & Mentoring Services – GEMS), EGOT (Emmy®, Grammy®, Oscar® and Tony®) winning actress Whoopi Goldberg (Figure Skating in Harlem), Academy Award® winning actress Rachel Weisz (The Opportunity Network) and TV and social media icon and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian West (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles).
Variety’s global media presence continues to expand and the “Power of Women” platform is one of the brand’s most prestigious honors. To continually recognize the extraordinary achievements and leadership of women in entertainment, Variety has made “Power of Women” a biannual event in New York and LA. Variety is excited to announce a new collaboration between its Variety Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) for both the Power of Women: New York and Los Angeles events, where EIF will be matching Variety’s charitable donation to all of the honorees’ charities at both events.
“Variety‘s Power of Women initiative has become a shining example of what is possible when committed women with a voice stand up for worthy causes and harness their power to give back and inspire others to do the same,” says Michelle Sobrino, Publisher, Variety. “Launching the event in New York last year was immensely gratifying for both Variety and our partner Lifetime, and we are honored to share this day with our incredible new charity partner, the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Together we will further magnify the beautiful spirit the Power of Women series exemplifies.”
“Lifetime is proud to renew our partnership with Variety to honor the amazing contributions made by women both professionally and philanthropically,” said Nancy Dubuc, President and CEO of A+E Networks. “The Power of Women event is a wonderful celebration that brings attention to the accomplishments that women make for the betterment of our world and all of us at Lifetime salute their inspirational journeys.”
“The Entertainment Industry Foundation is proud to join forces with the Variety Foundation to honor these amazing women and support their non-profit partners,” said Lisa Paulsen, president and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation. “The charitable work done by Glenn, Lena, Whoopi, Rachel and Kim helps so many people in diverse and meaningful ways; they each offer an inspiring example of the entertainment community’s ability to make a difference.”
The exclusive luncheon will host four hundred invite-only guests comprised of entertainment and media insiders, who will come to celebrate, support and pay tribute to the philanthropic efforts of these incredible women. The afternoon will also include VIP pre- and post-ceremony cocktail receptions designed to engage guests with the participating charities and brand sponsors.
Variety’s 2015 Power of Women: New York event is presented by Lifetime and sponsored by Mattel, Frédérique Constant and Gevalia premium coffee. Barbie has always served as an inspiration for girls of all ages who dare to be bold and dream big. This year, Mattel is proud to honor an inspiring group of SHEroes, women and girls who have fought to not take no for an answer and have soared over obstacles and stereotypes in favor of believing that they can and will be anything! Luxury Swiss watch manufacturer Frédérique Constant is thrilled to support the Power of Women initiative with Variety. As a brand, Frédérique Constant has already created a legacy for supporting women’s charities, and looks forward to presenting each of the award recipients with a special congratulatory timepiece. Guests at the event will enjoy Gevalia premium coffee and try the brand’s new Gevalia Iced Coffee with Almond Milk — made with a blend of Gevalia 100% Arabica coffee, creamy almond milk and just enough sweetness. Delivering on a trifecta of trends important to today’s coffee drinker, Gevalia Iced Coffee with Almond Milk is a new ready-to-drink iced coffee beverage with the goodness of almond milk and six grams of protein per eight fluid ounces.
About Variety
Variety and Variety.com provide the industry with the most comprehensive coverage of motion pictures, television and the digital space. With respected and experienced news reporters in Los Angeles, New York and around the world, Variety marries its historic coverage of the entertainment business with a technologically advanced website and new weekly print edition, offering readers the in-depth news coverage needed to remain competitive in the ever-changing entertainment industry. The Variety Group – Variety, Variety.com, Variety Insight, LA 411, NY 411 – is owned by Variety Media, LLC, a division of Penske Media Corporation.
About the Entertainment Industry Foundation
Founded in 1942, the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) is a multifaceted organization that occupies a unique place in the world of philanthropy. By mobilizing and leveraging the powerful voice and creative talents of the entertainment industry, as well as cultivating the support of organizations (public and private) and philanthropists committed to social responsibility, EIF builds awareness and raises funds, developing and enhancing programs on the local, national and global level that facilitate positive social change. For more information, visit www.eifoundation.org.
About Bring Change2Mind
Bring Change 2 Mind (BC2M) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to ending the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness through widely distributed Public Education Materials and programs based on the latest scientific insights and measured for effectiveness. The idea for the organization resulted when Actress Glenn Close observed, first-hand, the battles with mental illness and stigma within her own family. Ms. Close assembled the nation’s most influential mental health organizations to identify and discuss gaps in advocacy. Together, they determined that there was a critical need to combat stigma through messaging and to normalize the conversation around mental illness. In 2010, Glenn and her family made the decision to offer her celebrity and network of media contacts to start the conversation about mental health – dispelling myths, shattering silence and shining a light on wellness. Glenn’s sister, Jessie, lives with Bipolar Disorder and her nephew, Calen, lives with Schizoaffective Disorder. All three are actively involved in spreading the BC2M mission along with millions of people who have joined their campaign. Bringchange2mind.org
About GEMS
Girls Educational and Mentoring Services’ (GEMS) mission is to empower girls and young women, ages 12–24, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential. GEMS is committed to ending commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of girls and young women by changing individual lives, transforming public perception, and revolutionizing the systems and policies that impact sexually exploited youth.
Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS) is the only organization in New York State specifically designed to serve girls and young women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS) was founded in 1998 by Rachel Lloyd in response to an overwhelming need for services for girls and young women at risk for commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking who were being ignored by traditional social service agencies. GEMS’ programming is gender responsive, trauma informed, developmentally grounded, strengths based, social justice oriented, and culturally competent. GEMS’ founding principles reside in survivor leadership and transformational relationships. GEMS’ services are based on the needs and interests of survivors and the agency’s programming is developed based on survivors’ ideas, input, and expertise. GEMS provides young women with empathetic, consistent support and viable opportunities for positive change.
About Figure Skating in Harlem
Now in its 18th year, Figure Skating in Harlem remains the first and only organization in the country that combines the power of education with the grace and discipline of figure skating to transform the lives of underserved girls. Through its unique programming, FSH provides NYC girls with innovative skating and education programs that promote academic success, physical health, and emotional well-being. Recent graduates of the program have gone on to Brown University, Howard University, Boston College, and others. Our vision is for every girl, regardless of socio-economic background, to acquire the foundational academic, social and leadership skills to achieve her dreams. Focus, determination, teamwork, resiliency and goal-setting are among the invaluable qualities our students develop on the ice and transfer to the classroom and life. She will be a powerful speaker, an effective leader, live a healthy lifestyle and be a global citizen.
About The Opportunity Network
The Opportunity Network gives underserved high school and college students access to career opportunities, professional networks and competitive colleges. Through interaction with executives, career and networking training, paid internships and college counseling, our students dramatically change the course of their futures. One hundred percent of students graduate from competitive colleges and eighty-five percent secure professional jobs or graduate school admission within six months of graduation.
About Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is a not-for-profit pediatric health care organization dedicated to creating hope and building healthier futures for children. Consistently honored as the premier children’s hospital in California and among the top five in the nation, we treat more than 107,000 children annually from Los Angeles and around the world. The hospital provides the equivalent of $221 million in health programs, services and other community benefits for Los Angeles children and families. As a pediatric charity of choice, the hospital relies on the generosity of the community to support its ground-breaking pediatric research and the complex care it provides for critically ill and injured children. For more information, visit CHLA.org. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn, or visit our blog: WeTreatKidsBetter.org.
About A+E Networks
A+E Networks(R), LLC. is an award-winning, global media content company offering consumers a diverse communications environment ranging from television networks to websites, DVDs, gaming, watch apps and educational software. A+E Networks is comprised of A&E(R), Lifetime(R), History(R), LMN(R), FYI™, H2™, A+E Studios™, History en Espaňol™, Crime & Investigation Network™, Military History™, Lifetime Real Women(R), A&E IndieFilms(R), A+E Networks International(R), A+E Networks Digital(R) and A+E Networks Consumer Products™. A+E Networks channels and branded programming reach more than 350 million households in over 180 territories. A+E Networks, LLC. is a joint venture of Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst Corporation.
About Mattel
The Mattel family of companies (Nasdaq: MAT) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. Mattel’s portfolio of best-selling brands includes Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever produced, Hot Wheels®, Monster High®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends® and Fisher-Price® brands, including Little People® and Power Wheels®, MEGA® Brands, including MEGA BLOKS® and RoseArt®, as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2013, Mattel was named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere Magazine and in 2014 ranked No. 5 on Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel’s companies employ nearly 30,000 people in 40 countries and territories and sell products in more than 150 nations. At Mattel, we are Creating the Future of Play. Visit us at www.mattel.com, www.facebook.com/mattel or www.twitter.com/mattel.
About Frédérique Constant
Frédérique Constant is a family owned watch manufacturer based in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland. The company is involved in all stages of watch production, from initial design, to final assembly and quality control. Frédérique Constant develops, manufactures, and assembles in-house calibers, 18 different versions since 2004. Frédérique Constant watches are defined by their high quality and differentiation and precision in design and manufacturing. Their perceived value, through quality of design, materials, and manufacture, is a key component of their success. Each watch is assembled by hand, with the latest equipment and extensive controls, to ensure maximum quality and durability. The company embraces innovation to offer creativity and exceptional value. Its 32,000 square foot facility in Geneva is ultra-modern and offers the best environment for its passionate watchmakers. More information at www.frederique-constant.com.
Press Contacts:
Carolyn Zweifel, czweifel@id-pr.com
Jill Ormand, jormand@id-pr.com
Share Article
