National Women's Group Calls on The Everglades Foundation to Remove Paul Tudor Jones from their Board and Forfeit Donations

Paul Tudor Jones (image via Forbes)

The New York Attorney General's lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein further implicates Weinstein Company Board Members for creating a culture of sexual harassment and victimization of women.

The National women's group, Women United Now, is calling on The Everglades Foundation to remove Paul Tudor Jones, a long time personal friend of Harvey Weinstein and Weinstein Company board member, from their board and to give the $3,518,167 that Paul Tudor Jones donated to the Foundation in 2015 and 2016 to a fund for the victims of Harvey Weinstein.

In addition, they are calling on billionaire Paul Tudor Jones to give $100 Million to the same fund, as part of Women United's national campaign to hold Harvey Weinstein's billionaire board members accountable.

"It's time we shine light on not just predators like Weinstein, but also on the enablers like Paul Tudor Jones. By bringing these enablers to justice we can change the culture for all women. It starts with groups like The Everglades Foundation taking actions now to show they support the victims and notPaul Tudor Jones," stated Catrena Carter, Founder of Women United Now.

Just this week, Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General of the State of New York, filed suit to stop the sale of The Weinstein Company. The suit stated:

The Attorney General brings this action to remedy a years-long gender-based hostile work environment, a pattern of quid pro quo sexual harassment, and routine misuse of corporate resources for unlawful ends that extended from in or about 2005 through at least in or aboutOctober 2017.

The company's management and board of directors were repeatedly presented with credible evidence of HW's sexual harassment of TWC employees and interns, and his use of corporate employees and resources to facilitate sexual activity with third parties, amidst allegations that HW had engaged in unlawful sexual conduct.  (Document Attached).

Mr. Schneiderman also stated:

"Any sale of the Weinstein Company must ensure that victims will be compensated, employees will be protected going forward, and that neither perpetrators nor enablers will be unjustly enriched," (New York Times).

The Harvey Weinstein scandal arose in October 2017, when over 100 women came forward with claims of sexual assault and abuse against Weinstein. These allegations date as far back as the 1970s. Paul Tudor Jones maintained a direct relationship to Harvey Weinstein- both as a board member and as a personal friend, continuing to support Weinstein even after the allegations against him had become public. In October 2017, Paul Tudor Jones emailed his friend, proclaiming, "I love you," and telling Weinstein that "everyone would soon forget about the allegations."

Paul Tudor Jones has shown a pattern that is discriminatory towards women. In 2013, when asked at a UVA function why industrial trading was mostly men, he said that when women have children, it becomes a "focus killer." Specifically, Jones told an audience of University of Virginia students, alumni and others that it is difficult for mothers to be successful traders because connecting with a child is a focus "killer."

"As soon as that baby's lips touched that girl's bosom, forget it," Jones said, motioning to his chest. In the video of the event, Jones says, "every single investment idea . . . every desire to understand what is going to make this go up or go down is going to be overwhelmed by the most beautiful experience . . . which a man will never share." As the video goes on, he says, "You will never see as many great women investors or traders as men — period, end of story."

Carter is a 30-year veteran of both the civil rights and women's movements and has led successful, grassroots efforts around the country by getting women involved in the political process, most recently the "Vote or Die" movement that defeated accused sexual predator, Roy Moore.

Women United Now is a next phase of the #MeToo movement. As their message states, now it's time to #DemandRespect. In addition to releasing ads, the group will also be launching a grassroots effort to shine a light on the structure of powerful and successful men that allow abuse to go unchecked and unreported.

"Until these men are exposed, the culture of tolerating assaults on women will continue," said Carter.

Earlier this week, Women United Now announced they had collected more than 5,000 petitions at the University of Virginia, calling on the University to remove the Jones name from the Basketball Arena. The University of Pennsylvania removed the Wynn name from its building for similar actions by Steve Wynn.

Carter, along with volunteers, will continue petitioning UVA throughout the month to have the Jones name removed from all UVA buildings.

⏩ Click here to learn more about Women United Now, get involved and sign the petition 

SOURCE: Women United Now

David Yurman Joins Executive Producing Team For 'Gender In Hollywood' (Working Title)

Sybil and David Yurman

David Yurman is joining executive producer and Academy Award- winning actor and advocate Geena Davis in the upcoming feature-length documentary 'Gender In Hollywood' (working title). 

⏩ The film examines Hollywood's gender bias through first-hand accounts from some of Hollywood's leading industry professionals both in front of and behind the camera, shining a spotlight on the broader effects of bias on consumers of entertainment around the globe.

"David Yurman is committed to helping raise awareness about the need for gender parity, and is honored to be a part of the documentary, which is a powerful platform to spread this message," said David Yurman. "It is a natural fit."

The David Yurman brand has long been a proponent of female empowerment. 75 percent of the David Yurman executive committee are women, and the company is almost 70 percent female.

"We are a company of women, led by women and co-founded by a woman," said Sybil Yurman, co-founder David Yurman. "Since 1980 we have strived to elevate and celebrate women throughout all levels of the company."

Through the candid testimony of high-profile actors, directors and studio executives, the film connects the dots between the disparity onscreen and the lack of opportunity women face behind the scenes, telling the story of systemic discrimination throughout Hollywood's history.

Interviewees include Geena Davis, Shonda Rhimes, Jessica Chastain, Zoe Saldana, Judd Apatow, Yara Shahidi, Paul Feig, Chloe Grace Moretz, Gillian Anderson, Jackie Cruz, Sharon Stone, Alan Alda, and Lena Dunham.

Cutting-edge data from The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media is used to support the narrative of the film. The institute is the only research-based organization working behind the scenes in the media and entertainment industry to influence the need to dramatically improve gender balance, reduce stereotyping and create diverse female characters in entertainment targeting children.

"Unconscious gender bias directly correlates to the way women are represented on screen," said Geena Davis. "When we look at how this documentary will add to the discussion about gender inequality, we hope one of the key takeaways is that a solution is only possible if both women and men in this industry work together to create change."

Ku-Ling Yurman

Ku-Ling Yurman, independent filmmaker and daughter-in-law of David and Sybil, will act as an executive producer on the film. An alum of the American Film Institute, Ku-Ling has taken on many roles in the television/film industry.

"I first experienced institutionalized inequality when I was in film school, and quickly realized it spans all industries," said Ku-Ling Yurman. "Our objective with this documentary is to bring about actual change. We have a collective responsibility to take ownership of this issue and activate a higher standard for gender equality."

The film is directed by Tom Donahue (Casting By, Thank You for Your Service) and produced by CreativeChaos vmg and New Plot Films in association with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and Artemis Rising Foundation. Filming began in 2016.

In addition to Geena Davis and Ku-Ling Yurman, Regina K. Scully, Madeline Di Nonno, Steve Edwards, Patty Casby, and Jennie Peters are executive producers on the film. Ilan Arboleda and Kerianne Flynn are set to produce.

"Since we started the film a year and a half ago, we have conducted more than 100 interviews with some of the leading voices on the issue both inside and outside of Hollywood. Their candid testimony has not only detailed the systemic roadblocks that women face as storytellers and artists in Hollywood, but also has illuminated possible pathways toward lasting parity, "said director Tom Donahue.

SOURCE: David Yurman

Humanity is Put on Trial by Aliens in Startoucher, the Stunning Debut Sci Fi Novel by C.J. Odle

Startoucher cover

Based on a series of film-like visions that appeared in his mind's eye and then took two years to write as a novel, Startoucher is a revolutionary story that asks a very simple question: Would humanity survive being judged by more intelligent lifeforms? The book is available now on Amazon and the Author website is cjodle.com.

After 3.8 billion years, the alien creators of life on Earth return to evaluate the results of their experiment. One species is found to be an extreme danger to itself and others – Humanity. Evidence for the continuation of the species hangs by a thread. 

Jake Connolly, talented up and coming LA lawyer, has a hidden psychic side, long suppressed. When a series of intense visionary experiences threaten to derail his life, he is dragged unwillingly towards mysterious events deep in the Mojave Desert. What he discovers there changes him forever, and will affect the lives of everyone on the planet.

As the world watches its destiny unfold, humanity is forced to fight for its survival in a Galactic court and justify its existence to far superior beings.

An innovative, intelligent, and mystical novel that explores our place in the wider universe.

Where are we from…where are we going...how much have we truly evolved?...

About the author:

C.J. Odle

C.J. Odle is an author and ayahuascero (works with medicinal plants) living in a small conservation and healing center in the Peruvian Amazon. Born in London in 1961, from an early age he developed an interest in science fiction and fantasy. Around the age of 17 he began to study divination, which led to a career of over 35 years working as an astrologer and psychic. 

He has written four previous books, all non-fiction and mind body spirit titles. In his early forties he experienced a psychic crisis, which led him to Peru to complete a 6-year apprenticeship in Amazonian shamanism. 

Startoucher is his first novel.

SOURCE: C.J. Odle

'Sold In America' Series Looks At The Buying, Selling And Trafficking Of Sex In America

“Sold in America,” a new documentary series launching on Sunday, Feb. 18, from next-generation national news network Newsy, focuses on sex trafficking in America.

In Kentucky alone, drugs were involved in almost 40 percent of child sex trafficking cases — cases where the age range of alleged victims is 2-17 years old.

And yet Kentucky — one of five states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies as hardest hit by the opioid crisis — is one of only a small handful of states that officially tracks and reports the intersection of drug addiction and sex trafficking.

"Sold in America," a new documentary series launching on Sunday, Feb. 18, from next-generation national news network Newsy, dives deep into this violent, abusive and lucrative industry to uncover the gaps in government efforts to combat sex trafficking.

The three-part series presents the stories behind the buying and selling of sex through the voices of trafficking survivors, sex workers, pimps, buyers and the public officials on the front lines of the effort. "Sold in America" highlights multiple perspectives on the problem and potential solutions, including why some of them just won't work, according to the sex workers themselves.

"Our goal should be to stop violence, not criminalize those who are working to survive," said Laya Monarez, whose story is featured in the series. Monarez is an artist and activist who engaged in survival sex, which is prostitution motivated by the need for basics like food and housing.

From the most exclusive brothels to urban and suburban neighborhoods, reporter Noor Tagouri and producer Kate Grumke cover the intersection of the sex trade with some of the nation's worst ills: gender discrimination, racism, drug addiction and child abuse.

"I never knew nothing (sic) about human trafficking," said Ashley Cacho, who shares her story of being trafficked starting at age 11. "I never knew that I was being exploited. … It's something that I thought was normal."

"'Sold in America' puts deep reporting against a backdrop of intense, memorable scenes and nuanced, sensitive storytelling to paint a new picture of the buying and selling of sex," said Christina Hartman, vice president of news and programming for Newsy. "You will walk away heartbroken, then angry, but ultimately inspired to influence change."

⏩ "Sold in America" premieres on Newsy's cable and over-the-top live-streaming channels Sunday, Feb. 18, at 9 p.m. Eastern time. Check local listings for channel availability. The series will then be available for on-demand viewing beginning Thursday, Feb. 22, on streaming services including Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV.

The Trailer:

Newsy is the leading cable and over-the-top news network for millennials. Its documentaries, original series and in-depth coverage of the day's U.S. news and stories from around the world are available everywhere viewers watch television. Newsy is a wholly owned subsidiary of The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP).

SOURCE: The E.W. Scripps Company

Millennial Shares Truth About Cancer in Painfully Honest Memoir: "13 Diamonds - Life Before Death from a Child's Perspective"

13 Diamonds - Life Before Death from a Child's Perspective

Thirteen years after losing her mother to brain cancer, author Manon Rinsma finally found strength to share her uncensored voice in a memoir. Under the slogan: "If you do feel lonely – let us be alone together," she initiates honest conversations about heartbreaking moments in life.

Manon Rinsma, a well-traveled, adventurous millennial with a lot of invisible baggage, refused to become a victim of her circumstances. By helping people understand the experience of losing a parent from a 12-year-old's perspective, she hopes to give insight and support to prevent others from missing out on valuable time.

13 Diamonds – Life Before Death from A Child's Perspective is a story about family. It is about hope and all the beauty life has to offer, until the unimaginable strikes and a brain tumor the size of a tennis ball made itself at home, intruding in the happy lives of a loving family. 13 Diamonds portrays the feelings and views of a young girl who witnessed her mother, the brightest, most beautiful woman she knew, slowly die – taken by this horrific form of cancer. It is about strength, life, death, beauty, grief, and most importantly, it is a story about love.

➤ 13 Diamonds – Life Before Death from a Child's Perspective is now available at Amazon.com

About Manon Rinsma

(via ManonRinsma.com)

Manon Rinsma - Author

Manon Rinsma, MSc – is a Dutch millennial, world traveler and writer. She graduated her BA in Communications with honors in the Netherlands, and finished her Master of Science in Media Psychology by the age of 23.

She worked with prominent international events, world-class commercial brands, a broad range of entertainment companies, and several governmental institutions. Manon traveled to 51 countries and has a true passion for connecting with people by sharing stories.

“Don’t be a victim of you circumstances, seize the day!”
“If you do feel lonely – let us be alone together.”

SOURCE: Manon Rinsma, MSc