NYC Premiere of "Telling Amy's Story" a Success
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| Actor Peter Hermann, husband of Mariska Hargitay, founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation – introducing Telling Amy's Story |
The Verizon Foundation has partnered with Liz Claiborne, Inc and the Joyful Heart Foundation to premiere "Telling Amy's Story" in New York City. The screening of the powerful domestic violence documentary was shown at the AXA Equitable Center on Tuesday, Dec. 7. Meredith Vieira, co-host of the "Today" show, served as emcee for the night, with commentary from Jim Gerace, Verizon president of the New York/Connecticut region; William McComb, CEO of Liz Claiborne, Inc; and actor Peter Hermann, husband of Mariska Hargitay, founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation.
Approximately 300 people attended the event, including domestic violence advocates such as Cindy Southworth, vice president of technology for the National Network to End Domestic Violence; Ted Bunch, founder of A Call To Men; and Melissa Kaufman and Diane Perez from the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Affiliates of domestic violence shelters and organizations, 30 prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, and a group of young teenage girls from the Lower East Side Girls Club were among the guests who came together to watch the tragic story of Amy Homan McGee and witness the reality of domestic violence.
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Following the "Telling Amy's Story" screening was a panel discussion with leaders and advocates from the domestic violence prevention community. The panel included Deirdri Fishel, detective from State College Pennsylvania police department and narrator of Telling Amy's Story; Linda Fairstein, author and former prosecutor; Kim Wells, executive director, Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence; Melanie Doebler, director of Public Engagement, Penn State Public Broadcasting; Yolanda Jimenez, New York City mayor's office to combat domestic violence; and Martha Delehanty, Verizon senior vice-president, human resources..
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| Q&A panel (left to right) included Melanie Doebler, director of Public Engagement, Penn State Public Broadcasting; Deirdri Fishel, detective from State College Pennsylvania police department and narrator of Telling Amy's Story; Kim Wells, executive director, Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence; Linda Fairstein, author and former prosecutor; Martha Delehanty, Verizon senior vice-president, human resources; and Yolanda Jimenez, New York City mayor's office to combat domestic violence. |
The screening event and panel served as an impactful lead-in to Liz Claiborne, Inc's 7th annual "It's Time to Talk Day" on Dec. 8, a national day dedicated to raising awareness and conversation about domestic violence.
"Domestic violence is an issue that impacts families, businesses and communities in every corner of our nation," said Kathryn C. Brown, Verizon senior vice president - public policy development and corporate responsibility. "Verizon is committed to using its technology and its human and financial resources to raise awareness of the issue and aid in its prevention. We're proud to take part in Liz Claiborne's It's Time to Talk Day and spread the important message of Amy's story and, hopefully, save lives."
"Telling Amy's Story" was created by Penn State Public Broadcasting and is airing on local public television stations throughout the country. The Verizon Foundation awarded more than $400,000 in grants to Penn State to create the documentary and fund a domestic violence prevention training program for students and faculty.
