Look To The Stars News: Michelle Stafford

Vanessa Williams Supports An End To Violence Against Women

Mon, 18 May 2009 14:00:00 -0000

It was Angela Davis, political activist and University Professor, who once said that domestic violence against women could not end without enlisting the help and support of men in our society.

Although there are many organizations, a range of legal remedies, a network of shelters, crisis centers and other sites where survivors are able to find support, none of these efforts or initiatives are aimed at involving men to put an end to their own violence against women. None except A Call To Men, a leading national men’s organization focused on the man’s role in ending violence against women.

Emmy Award nominated actress Vanessa Williams – best known for her work on Showtime’s hit series Soul Food – co-hosted an event at the ArtPeace Gallery in Burbank, California for A Call To Men last week. Williams is a board member of this nonprofit whose mission is to galvanize a national movement of men (and women) dedicated to eradicating this prevalent problem.

Co-founder’s Ted Bunch and Tony Porter believe that it is vital that men play a primary role in the solution to this problem. A Call To Men is therefore unique in its approach because it challenges men to change their traditional beliefs about women and work towards eradicating sexism. The organization has developed strong coalitions with women’s groups that share the same or similar goals. A Call To Men holds seminars, workshops and other educational activities designed to shift the behaviors of men through a re-education and training process that challenges sexism.

The event was attended by a cross section of Hollywood celebrities, including Rockmond Dunbar (Vanessa Willam’s husband on Soul Food), Michelle Stafford and Laura Bregman of the Young and the Restless, Tamala Jones (Head of State), and Camille Winbush (the Bernie Mac Show). For more information on this nonprofit, visit their official website.

Brooke Burke Wants You To Vote

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:30:00 -0000

American television personality and entrepreneur Brooke Burke, frontrunner on ABC’s #1 television show “Dancing with the Stars,” is set to host One Vote Counts: Pledge to Vote at famed Hollywood hotspot Les Deux next week.

Exactly one week prior to Election Day, this event will support a nonpartisan effort to bring voters together. 12% of registered voters did not vote in the 2004 presidential election – this event aims to change that! One vote counts! It counts for Brooke on her hit show, and it is vital for the nation on November 4.

Confirmed guests include: 2008 Emmy nominee Julianne Hough and Lacey Schwimmer of “Dancing with the Stars,” Ryan Eggold of “90210,” Alaina Huffman of “Smallville,” Roma Maffia of “Nip/Tuck,” Romi Dames of “Hannah Montana,” Emmy winners Michelle Stafford and Adrienne Frantz of “The Young and the Restless,” Shirly Brener of “Righteous Kills,” model Simona Fusco of “Beerfest,” Jesse Garcia of “American Identity,” Jareb Dauplaise from “Drillbit Taylor,” Manny Guevara from the “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” radio show, Karli Henriquez of MTV3’s “Karlifornia” and more to be announced.

The event starts at 9pm on Tuesday, October 28, and is being produced in association with Rock the Vote.

Daytime's Brightest Stars Shine For One Night Only Performance

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 09:36:55 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

Young & Restless (Y&R) star Judith Chapman has gathered award-winning daytime television actors to perform a play to benefit micro-loan charity Kiva.

The inspiration to help others in a very unique way came one night when Chapman (who plays Gloria) watched a very special reading of Daniel Berrigan’s play The Trial of the Catonsville 9, which was based on the author’s experience of protesting the Vietnam war in the Catonsville incident.

Performed by the Actor’s Gang in Los Angeles, the performance Chapman saw featured the talent of Martin Sheen, Beau Bridges, Neil Patrick Harris and others. Moved by the story and the caliber of talent, Chapman decided to put together a production of the same play with daytime’s best and brightest for a worthy cause.

The cast features many daytime Emmy award winning actors. Fellow Y&R stars to perform include Christian LeBlanc (Michael), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Vincent Irizarry (David), Kristoff St. John (Neil), Greg Rikkaart (Kevin), Daniel Goddard (Cane), Eyal Podell (Adrian), and Emily O’Brien (Jana). Soap veterans John Hale (ex-Mike) of General Hospital and John Callahan (ex-Edmund) of All My Children will also perform. Further soap actors are to be announced later.

Berrigan’s play is a period piece which epitomizes the climate of the times and the common sentiment about the Vietnam War. The story centers around the May 17, 1968 incident when nine men and women entered the Selective Service Offices in Catonsville, Maryland, removed several hundred draft records, and burned them with homemade napalm in protest against the war in Vietnam. The nine were arrested and, in a highly publicized trial, sentenced to jail.

This act of civil disobedience intensified protest against the draft, prompted debate in households in Maryland and across the nation, and stirred angry reaction on the part of many Americans. It also propelled the nine Catholic participants – especially priest brothers Daniel and Philip Berrigan – into the national spotlight.

The proceeds for the one-night-only production of The Trial of the Catonsville 9 will go to Kiva, an organization that enables people in the West make small loans to individuals around the developing world so that they might grow a business and become more self sustaining. The event will take place on January 19, 2008 at the Palm Canyon Theatre in Palm Springs, CA. For more information on the Actors Gang, go to: http://www.theactorsgang.com/main.htm

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