WE Empowers Women to Address the Far Reaching Issues that Impact the Modern Lives of Women and their Families
– Girls Inc. Announced as First Beneficiary of Project –
– US Disabled Ski Team Champion Sandy Dukat Named Spokesperson –
– Cable Industry Women Leaders Join Advisory Panel –
New York, NY, May 2, 2005 – WE Women's Entertainment today announced its first-ever public affairs initiative, a far-reaching program entitled, WE Empowers Women, which will leverage the power of the WE Network and its brand to create various projects and programs that foster and celebrate the intelligence, strength, confidence, diversity and leadership of women, both in the workplace and at home. Through this new infrastructure, WE will proactively seek opportunities to build mentorship, education and health programs designed specifically to address and support the modern lives of women and their families, while also representing the network's viewers with a strong and active voice on relevant and meaningful issues.
"WE has a long history of supporting various groups, organization and causes, but this new initiative provides our brand, our viewers, and our cable partners with a valuable mechanism to lead on both a national and local level," stated WE General Manager Kim Martin. "There are many truly important and valuable public affairs initiatives and as an industry, cable has lead the way in building support for various causes. WE Empowers Women was created specifically to build a needed infrastructure that addresses the voices of our unique viewers and to fill a new national void that better addresses and supports the increasingly busy and hectic lives of women."
As part of today's announcement, WE Empowers Women named Girls Inc. as the first benefactor in a series of ongoing financial partnerships that will be announced. Throughout its 140-year history, Girls Inc. has shown a strong commitment to a woman's crucial formative and developmental years, by creating programs that instill confidence and further broaden educational opportunities. The new partnership between WE Empowers Women and Girls Inc. will focus on promoting their shared mission, expanding various Girls Inc. local and national programs and launching a series of new initiatives.
Leading WE Empowers Women will be Sandy Dukat, who will serve as the initiative's designated spokesperson. Ms. Dukat is a decorated member of the US Disabled Ski Team since 2002 and embodies many of the leadership qualities of the WE viewer. Her honors include two Bronze medals in the 2002 Paralympics; three Bronze Medals in the 2004 World Championships; and won the Gold Medal at the 2005 World Cup race in Slalom. Her current goal is to win the Gold Medal at the 2006 Paralympics in Torino, Italy. In addition, WE Empowers Women named Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, President and CEO, Women in Cable and Telecommunications; Suzanne Keenan, Senior Vice President of Customer Service and Comcast Cable, Dave Andersen, Senior Vice President Communications, Charter Communication, Inc. as its first Advisory Board Members. Members will meet regularly to provide input and guidance on various matters pertaining to the Public Affairs Initiative and ensure the cable industry is deeply involved in its success.
As part of the ongoing introduction of today's announcement, WE plans to provide a strong advertising presence within cable trade publications and will provide key sponsorship for this year's CTPAA's 2005 forum and the WICT Forum's Pacesetters Luncheon. The network has instituted new one minute on air editorials, where various women leaders and celebrities will be invited to address and communicate valuable issues related to women. Finally, WE has commissioned a series of surveys, which will be released throughout the year, exploring the modern attitudes and needs of women.
WE released the following Mission Statement to summarize the goals of the new project:
WE Empowers Women, is a recently established, nationwide public affairs initiative driven by WE: Womens Entertainment and its viewers.
Using the power of ideas and the actions of many, WE Empowers Women is dedicated to creating projects and programs that foster and celebrate the intelligence, strength, confidence, diversity and leadership of women, both in the workplace and at home.
The initiative will create meaningful and needed social change and support, while being a valuable information tool for the lives of the WE viewer.
WE Empowers Women will proactively seek opportunities to build mentorship, education and health programs, while also representing our viewers with a strong and active voice on relevant and meaningful issues.
Using WE's unique spirit, creativity and enthusiasm, and through partnerships with various organizations, cable affiliates and communities, WE Empowers Women strives to become a valuable mechanism on and off air to its viewers. One that supports the modern lives of women and their families, assists each in reaching personal daily goals, and empowers to achieve their own ideal of themselves and their lives.
For more information on WE Empowers Women , please go to www.we.tv/weempowerswomen.
About WE: Women'S Entertainment
WE: Women's Entertainment is a subsidiary of Rainbow Entertainment Services, which also includes AMC and IFC Companies. WE: Women's Entertainment features the largest collection of women's interest films, inspiring original series and topical specials. The network is currently available in over 55 million homes.
About Girls, Inc.
Girls Incorporated® is a nonprofit organization that inspires all girls to be
strong, smart, and boldSM. With local roots dating to 1864 and national status since 1945, Girls Inc. has responded to the changing needs of girls through research-based programs and public education efforts that empower girls to understand, value, and assert their rights. In 2003, Girls Inc. reached 840,000 girls through Girls Inc. affiliates, our website, and educational publications.