“Good Works” Survey Receives Special Recognition During Women's History Month
The Good Works Survey being specially recognized this year during WomenÂ’s History Month are programs that have been in existence 1 to 15 years and continue to grow bigger and better. Their commonality rests in that each was started as the brainchild of one woman.
(PRWEB) February 22, 2005
The WomenÂ’s Good Works Survey being specially recognized this year during WomenÂ’s History Month are programs that have been in existence 1 to 15 years and continue to grow bigger and better. Their commonality rests in that each was started as the brainchild of one woman. These women include a former public school teacher, a public relations practitioner, author/lecturer, yoga instructor, actress, public health advocate and licensing expert.
· Among the “good works” is a New York City Reads Together program inspired by a similar effort in Chicago. Brenda Rezak, a former public school teacher, brought the idea to the New York Women’s Agenda and created a broad program that also took in the New York Public Library and New York City Department of Education. Through these groups a fundraising process begins so that children in the participating schools can receive free copies of the chosen book. A website has been created, www. nyreadstogether. org, so that children and adults can receive instructional guidance as to how to involve themselves in the program which is now in it’s third year.
· A priority today in almost every field of endeavor is social responsibility. However 15 years ago that was not so and no formal recognition was given to those in the workplace. It was in this climate that Norma Lee, president-elect of Women Executives in Public Relations, decided a special recognition should be given for works being done on clients’ behalf in this area. The Foundation of WEPR’s Crystal Obelisk Award has spurred many agencies and companies to increase their assistance to groups that do “Good Works.” It was the first award of its kind in the PR field. More than 60 non-profits, foundations, government groups, corporations and their PR have been recognized for these campaigns that have made a difference in peoples lives, here and around the world.
· Donna Dees-Thomases, author/lecturer, founded “The Million Mom March”, which has now achieved national fame. It was started to prevent violence, particularly among children. The first march took place Mother’s Day 2000. Members meet with local elected officials, prominent members of the community as well as staging public demonstrations.
· Ellen Freudenheim, public health advocate, founded New Yorkers Against Gun Violence in 1993, when she organized a rally following the fatal shooting of a young drama teacher who had been bicycling through Prospect Park in Brooklyn. The group is a non-profit advocating for changes in local, state, and federal laws in order to reduce gun violence. The group now has an education arm, which sponsors a youth group designed to teach young people about advocacy.
· Ms. Ross Ellis, actress, founded Love our Children in 1999 and today is the leading national organization based in New York city that concentrates on promoting positive changes in parenting and family attitudes. Love Our Children USA works to empower and support children, teens, parents, and families through information, resources, advocacy, and online youth mentoring.
Full details on these programs are available upon request.
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