Look To The Stars News: Hillary Clinton

Robin Wright Calls For International Mineral Certification System

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

In a video clip produced by ENOUGH Project, actor and activist Robin Wright says eastern Congo is the worst place on Earth to be a woman, and that “the link between conflict minerals and sexual violence is undeniable.”

Armed groups in the Congo fight for control of mines because the proceeds from the sale of the mineral resources is lucrative. To keep control of mines and trade routes, rebel groups use intimidation, pillaging local villages, murdering, raping girls and women and kidnapping young boys to use as soldiers – perpetual violence. Congo’s minerals are necessary components in electronic products that we use everyday, but Wright cannot reconcile the human rights violations with the ability to send a text message.

When Wright traveled to the Congo with ENOUGH Project for its RAISE Hope For Congo campaign last year, she was shocked by what she heard from the women and children she met.

Hillary Clinton Names Ellen DeGeneres As Special Envoy For Global AIDS Awareness

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:00:00 +0000

During a major address on November 8, 2011 on HIV/AIDS at the National Institutes of Health, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced that Ellen DeGeneres has been named as a Special Envoy for Global AIDS Awareness.  

In this role, DeGeneres will use her celebrity platform to raise awareness about the global fight against AIDS.

In a letter to DeGeneres, Secretary Clinton stated, “By lending us your energy, compassion, and star power to serve as our Special Envoy for Global AIDS Awareness, your words will encourage Americans in joining you to make their voices heard in our campaign to achieve an AIDS-free generation. The enormous platform of your television show and your social media channels will enable you to reach millions of people with the strong and hopeful message that we can win this fight.”

Celebrities Take Part In Seventh Annual Clinton Global Initiative

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:10:00 +0000

Last week, during the seventh annual Clinton Global Initiative event, President Bill Clinton welcomed Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Prize laureate, peacebuilder, and general secretary of the National League for Democracy via satellite and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, chairman of The Elders in a first-time conversation between the two visionary leaders.

Suu Kyi spoke about her own struggles for human rights, democratic governance, and ethic reconciliation, while Archbishop Tutu discussed his recent work to end child marriage. The highlight of the conversation was the overwhelming admiration Tutu and Suu Kyi expressed for each other’s efforts to promote world peace and democracy.

“The lives and accomplishments of Aung San Suu Kyi and Archibishop Desmond Tutu are an inspiring testament to the tremendous good than can be achieved by a boundless reserve of courage, humility, and conviction,” said President Clinton. “Suu Kyi and Archibishop Tutu exemplify the positive work of CGI members – who have made 194 new commitments this year, valued at $6.2 billion that will positively impact more than 100 million people.”

Ian Somerhalder Calls On Obama And Clinton To Stop Pipeline

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:30:00 +0000

The Ian Somerhalder Foundation (ISF) has joined the ever growing international chorus opposing the Keystone XL pipeline.

The pipeline project, which would transport extremely toxic tar sands oil nearly 2,000 miles from Alberta, Canada through the middle of the U.S. heartland to the Texas Gulf coast for refining, has drawn criticism from environmental communities in both the US and Canada.

“The proposed Keystone XL pipeline puts fish and wildlife at risk, threatens the health and livelihood of countless American farmers, and perpetuates the United States’ unhealthy dependence on oil,” says ISF founder Ian Somerhalder. “On behalf of myself, the IS Foundation, and the 22,000 people who have already signed our Stop the Tar Sands Oil Keystone XL Pipeline Petition, we strongly urge the Obama Administration to follow through on its promise to ‘end the age of oil in our time.’”

Sting To Be Honored At Clinton Global Initiative

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Bill Clinton has announced the program and featured attendees for the seventh Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to be held September 20-22 in New York City.

This year’s gathering will bring together an estimated 1,200 diverse stakeholders, including current and former heads of state, Fortune 500 CEOs, national and local government officials, and leaders from the nonprofit sector to devise and implement workable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

“Since we began in 2005, CGI members have made great progress in addressing critical global issues by making more than 2,000 commitments through CGI that have and will improve the lives of more than 300 million people in more than 180 countries,” President Clinton said. “As many of these commitments come to fruition, I am proud that we will be showcasing the tangible impact they have made.”

True Blood Star Latest Celebrity To Join Charity Campaign

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +0000

True Blood’s Alexander Skarsgård is the latest star to record a PSA for the It Gets Better campaign.

“I believe it gets better when parents start to lead by example,” says the vampire star in the new video. "We have to teach our children that, not only through our words but also through our actions, that every single human being has equal value.

“And to bully someone or for society to discriminate against someone because they have a different sexual orientation, it’s unacceptable.

Julia Roberts And Hillary Clinton Team Up For Clean Cooking Charity Campaign

Mon, 09 May 2011 11:30:00 +0000

The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves has announced that Academy Award-winning actor Julia Roberts will serve as Global Ambassador, helping to bring attention to one of the most urgent health problems facing women and families around the world: deadly smoke from unsafe and inefficient cookstoves.

Julia first learned about the Alliance earlier this year while interviewing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for a special broadcast on Saturday, May 7, on the Oprah Winfrey Network called “Extraordinary Moms.” Today she also joined with Secretary Clinton to highlight the problems caused by cookstove smoke in an op-ed in USA Today.

Susan Sarandon To Be Honored As Outstanding Mother For Charity

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0000

The National Mother’s Day Committee today announced that it will honor five exceptional women for balancing accomplished careers and the demands of motherhood at the 33rd Outstanding Mother Awards luncheon at 12 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, at The Pierre New York Hotel.

The awards will be presented by mistress of ceremonies Mindy Grossman, CEO of HSN, Inc., and a 2010 Outstanding Mother Award Honoree, to the following:

George Clooney And Friends Support We Want Peace Campaign

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:30:00 +0000

London-based former Sudanese child soldier, political advocate and hip-hop recording artist Emmanuel Jal is spearheading a political awareness campaign supported by George Clooney, Alicia Keys, Kofi Annan, Richard Branson and Peter Gabriel. The singer launched the digital download single “We Want Peace” on Monday 13th December 2010.

The song will be available to download from all leading digital download retailers or from the official website www.we-want-peace.com. Emmanuel Jal is encouraging people around the world to visit the official website, to become ‘peace soldiers’ and sign a peace awareness petition that will call for a timely, free and fair referendum in Southern Sudan and equality, freedom, and justice for all Sudanese.

“The main objective is for supporters from around the world to visit the official “We Want Peace” website and sign up to become ‘Peace Soldiers’," says Jal.

George Clooney’s Endgame In Sudan Video Is Released

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Not On Our Watch and the ENOUGH Project’s new Endgame in Sudan short video was released last week, in which George Clooney appears on the ground in southern Sudan, where he visited earlier this year.

The film is the latest effort of the “Stop a War Before It Starts” campaign, which is gaining momentum and getting some high-level attention, including from US President Obama. Viewers are asked to go to www.SudanActionNow.org to join a rally, fundraiser and/or sign a petition to ask world leaders to negotiate a peace between northern and southern Sudan before a referendum on independence is held there in January. Without international diplomacy to help lay the groundwork, Clooney believes that a renewed war and humanitarian disaster is probable, since 2.5 million people were killed in the last north-south war.

“Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir is an indicted war criminal,” says the video.

Justin Bieber Releases Charity Album And Makes Anti-Bullying Video

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Pop sensation Justin Bieber will donate some of the proceeds from his new acoustic album to charity.

My World Acoustic came out today, and will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals – an organization founded by Donny and Marie Osmond and John Schneider in 1983, dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children¹s hospitals across North America. Each year the 170 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals provide the finest medical care, life-saving research and preventative education to help millions of kids overcome diseases and injuries of every kind.

“I am in the position to give back thanks to my fans and God. I wrote ‘Pray’ thinking I wanted to help others and I feel like I have a responsibility to do so,” said Bieber via Twitter. “What is the point of doing all this if you can’t make a difference in others’ lives? This album is a gift to my fans and the money raised from it allows us all to help out.”

Maria Shriver To Be Honored With Charity Award

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:00:00 +0000

The Carousel of Hope, the world’s premiere charity event benefiting childhood diabetes, hosted bi-annually by Barbara Davis, will honor California First Lady Maria Shriver with the “Brass Ring Award” at its 32nd anniversary gala on Sat., Oct. 23, in Beverly Hills, Calif., at the Beverly Hilton.

“Maria Shriver has long been a fearless and tireless advocate for children and families, a trailblazer in this area for the good of mankind, carrying on a tradition of selfless dedication to those in need started by past generations of her remarkable family,” says philanthropist Barbara Davis.

The first lady of California since 2003, Maria Shriver has been a national presence for several decades, as a broadcaster, speaker, and best selling author. Six of her books have been New York Times best sellers and her groundbreaking reports on women’s issues have been featured on NBC, CBS and HBO, where she co-executive produced the Emmy winning four part film on Alzheimer’s, “Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?” A graduate of Georgetown University, Maria Shriver is married to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and is the mother of four children.

Bill Clinton And Family Busy With Charity In Haiti And Pakistan

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:30:00 +0000

The Clinton family is busy with charity this week.

Following her recent wedding, Chelsea Clinton is organizing a special charity bike ride for Haiti, to take place in New York on August 28.

The indoor event – which may be attended by Bill Clinton – will be held at SoulCycle in Bridgehampton, and will raise funds for the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. 71 riders will hand over between $500 and $5,000 for the opportunity to take part in the 60-minute event

Russell Simmons To Attend Art School Opening For Charity

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:00:00 +0000

The Eagle Academy Foundation, which runs all-boys public schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, will open a state of the art school in the Bronx at the start of the new school year on September 8, 2010.

Russell Simmons – a supporter of the school – Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Paterson and other elected officials will be present at the opening to celebrate the launch of the new school.

Angelina Jolie And Hillary Clinton Join For World Refugee Day

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:00:00 +0000

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took part in a unique live video event linking four locations around the world to mark World Refugee Day on Friday.

The event was held in the Benjamin Franklin room on the top floor of the US State Department in Washington, DC, and included participants linked from Ecuador, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Syria.

Addressing the audience of 250 people, media and those watching via the internet, Clinton said: “I hope we can use this day to honor the courage and resilience of the millions of refuges around the world who push forward each and every day with the hope that tomorrow might bring a return home or the hope of a better life. I certainly intend to remain committed to making that hope a reality.”

Alfre Woodard To Be Honored At Charity Mother's Awards

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:30:00 +0000

The 32nd Annual Outstanding Mother Awards will take place on May 6 in New York to benefit Save the Children’s US programs, and will be hosted by CNN’s Soledad O’Brien.

The National Mother’s Day Committee will honor five outstanding women for their success in balancing accomplished careers and the demands of motherhood: actress Alfre Woodard, lawyer Victoria Reggie Kennedy, HSN CEO Mindy Grossman, CHANEL CEO Maureen Chiquet and HealthiNation Chief Medical Officer Holly Atkinson.

The National Mother’s Day Committee is an entity of the Father’s Day/Mother’s Day Council and exists for the sole purpose of conferring “Outstanding Mother” Honors to contemporary lifestyle leaders of our society. The Council – a non-profit, all volunteer, non commercial, organization – donates funds raised with presentations of its Annual Awards to meaningful family related philanthropies dealing with issues affecting Mothers, Fathers and Family. Past honorees include Former First Lady Barbara Bush, Andrea Jung, Estee Lauder, Senator Hillary Clinton, Bobbie Brown, Katie Couric, Caroline Kennedy, Marie Osmond, Chris Evert, Meryl Streep, Reba McEntire, and many other outstanding mothers.

Ellen DeGeneres Gets The Comic Book Treatment For Charity

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:30:00 +0000

A comic book depicting the life of Ellen DeGeneres is on sale now, with some of the proceeds going to charity.

Female Force is a series of comics from Bluewater Productions featuring the lives of influential women such as Michelle Obama, Oprah and Hillary Clinton. A percentage of Ellen’s issue, which follows her life from a small girl in Louisiana to Talk Show Queen, will go to The Humane Society of the United States.

“Ellen has been a leading force for animal protections issues”, said Michael Markarian, Chief Operating Officer of the HSUS. “We thank Ellen and Bluewater Productions for sharing the proceeds of her comic book with The Humane Society of the United States, and for supporting out work to celebrate animals and confront cruelty.”

Jennifer Aniston And Courteney Cox Join Up For The Congo

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

“Friends” co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox have teamed up to head a campaign to fight for women’s rights in the Congo.

They are supporting OmniPeace, an humanitarian fashion brand, which aims to stop violence against women in Congo. Mary Fanaro, the woman who runs the fashion brand, is a friend to both Aniston and Cox.

Cox said, “OmniPeace was created to give back. I can’t think of a better way to support my best friend and all the work that she and OmniPeace do to donate to causes supporting peace, education, human rights and the end of extreme poverty by 2025. Mary’s passion is so contagious and wonderful. It has taught me that anything is possible with enough perseverance and tenacity.”

Angelina Jolie Speaks At World Refugee Day Event

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:00:00 +0000

At an event marking the launch of activities in the United States for World Refugee Day, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie appeared alongside UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres to call on the world to recognize millions of victims of conflict around the world not as a burden but as a potential gift.

“I know the strength that diversity has given my country – a country built by what some would now dismiss as asylum-seekers and economic migrants – and I believe we must persuade the world that refugees must not be simply viewed as a burden,” said Jolie. "They are the survivors. And they can bring those qualities to the service of their communities and the countries that shelter them.

“The refugees I have met and spent time with have profoundly changed my life,” Jolie added. “Today . . . I want to thank them for letting me into their lives.”

Celebrities Join African First Ladies At Health Conference

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Fifteen first ladies from African nations have joined a host of celebrities in attending a two-day summit in Los Angeles on health, women’s issues and HIV/AIDS.

The conference – organized by US Doctors for Africa (USDFA) and the African Synergy Against AIDS and Suffering, a nonprofit organization formed by 22 first ladies from Africa – will feature appearances by Hillary Clinton, Maria Shriver (wife of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jessica Alba, Natalie Cole, Sharon Stone, Kristin Davis, Maria Bello, Diane Lane, Blair Underwood, Joely Fisher, Lawrence Bender, Pras Michel, Wolfgang Puck, Steven Seagal, Selita Ebanks (VS model), Vince Young (NFL QB), Robert Horry (former Laker), Emeka Okafor (NBA Player) and the first ladies from Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Swaziland and Zambia.

“Empowering Africa’s first ladies is an innovative approach to bettering the lives of millions of Africans,” said USDFA Chairman Ted Alemayhu. “The summit will pair these leaders with U.S. experts, key political figures and important organizations to create ongoing partnerships.”

Hillary Clinton Receives Vital Voices Award

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Several celebrities attended the Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards ceremony earlier this month in order to present awards to five of the world’s outstanding female leaders. Speakers such as actresses Candice Bergen and Sally Field were among the award presenters, but the speakers weren’t all female.

Actor Ben Affleck took the stand to point out that, because it is women that hold society together, the problems women face are relevant to men: “As long as violence against women – sexual or otherwise – remains strictly and exclusively a ’women’s issue’, it will always be an issue. We men must own this and we must recognize that it is vital to our own survival and we must help our brothers see it as such.”

Vital Voices, which aims to empower women leaders, gave their final award – the ‘Global Trailblazer’ – to the organisation’s co-founder, America’s Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, to honor “her passionate commitment to promoting women’s rights and securing justice for all people around the world.”

American Idol Gives Back $67 Million

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:30:00 +0000

David Beckham, Bono, Annie Lennox and Carrie Underwood have all accepted cheques from April’s Idol Gives Back event on behalf of the charities they support.

The show raised over US$67 million for charities such as the Global Fund, Malaria No More, the Children’s Health Fund, Save the Children, and the Children’s Defense Fund.

“I saw first hand with my visit to Sierra Leone with UNICEF last year how devastating malaria can be to a country,” said Beckham, who was presented with US$12 million by Idol winner David Cook on behalf of Malaria No More. “This money will help buy millions of bed nets and also protect many people, particularly the young children who are most vulnerable.”

Oceana Awards To Honor Clinton And Sting

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Bill Clinton, Sting, and Trudie Styler will be honored at the annual Oceana Partners Awards this weekend.

Chaired by Sam Waterston and Ted Danson and hosted by Pierce Brosnan, Ron Howard, and Robert Redford, the event honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions through their personal commitment to the cause of protecting and conserving the environment. Past honorees include Ted Turner, Don Henley, James Cameron, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, and Christopher Reeve. Past hosts have included Salma Hayek, Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ron Meyer and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Bill Clinton has been selected as this year’s recipient because his Clinton Climate Initiative – launched in 2006 – works with over 40 of the world’s largest cities to reduce greenhouse emissions. Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, were chosen due to their efforts to raise more than $25 million dollars through 15 benefit concerts for The Rainforest Foundation, which has now expanded to a network of interconnected organizations working in 23 countries around the globe.

Paul Newman - A Life Spent Giving

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Actor and philanthropist Paul Newman leaves behind a legacy modern celebrities will find hard to match.

83-year-old Newman – who passed away after a short illness on Friday – made his movie debut in 1954, and went on to become one of the most well known faces to grace the silver screen, appearing in over 50 films. Born in Ohio, Newman made his acting debut at the age of seven, but didn’t start acting professionally until after serving as a gunner in the Pacific in World War II. When the acting bug did bite, it went on to net Newman 10 Oscar nominations in his five-decade-long career – winning the best actor accolade for his role opposite Tom Cruise in The Color Of Money in 1986 – two Golden Globe awards, a Screen Actors Guild award, a Cannes Film Festival award and an Emmy award.

But it is Newman’s humanitarian and philanthropic efforts that gained him true popularity in the American heart. Much has been written about his Newman’s Own Food Company, the initiative he established in 1982 to manufacture his special salad dressings. Over $200 million were generated by the company for charity over the years, and earlier in 2008 the actor announced he had signed ownership of the company to charity. He wrote a book – titled Shameless Exploitation in the Pursuit of the Common Good – about his work with the company, explaining that the inspiration behind his humanitarian outlook was the death of his son from a drug overdose in 1978, which led him to set up the Scott Newman Center for Drug Abuse Prevention. Much of the money Newman raised went to the Hole in the Wall Gang summer camps he established in 1988. The camps allow ill children to participate in activities such as boating, fishing, swimming, archery, arts and crafts, woodworking, performing arts, horseback riding, overnight camping and group adventures, all while receiving superior 24-hour medical care free of charge. More than 100,000 children from 31 countries have attended the Hole in the Wall camps.

Honeys We Love: Eric DeArmon

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:30:00 +0000

For this week’s Honeys We Love interview, Look To The Stars caught up with Eric DeArmon. Frontman for The Truthseekers – an 8-piece, New York-based “funk-n-soul machine” – Eric recently contributed a refreshingly original song, “Brighter Day”, to Amy Sewell and Susan Toffler’s documentary “What’s Your Point, Honey”.

What’s Your Point, Honey brings attention to the gender inequalities in political leadership. They seek to change that by introducing seven young women who have what it takes to seek and win the Presidency. The seven were chosen by an initiative called Project 24 which, along with the support of The White House Project and CosmoGirl!, aims to have a female President by the year 2024.

What impressed you most about the young women profiled in the documentary?