09.05.12 / Category: Miscellaneous

Delta Gamma Fraternity Partners with Circle of Sisterhood and NPC to Host Viewing Parties for PBS Documentary “Half the Sky”

The Circle of Sisterhood Foundation and the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) are excited to announce a partnership with Delta Gamma Fraternity to coordinate a viewing party campaign for the launch of the PBS documentary, “Half the Sky.”

Delta Gamma collegians and alumnae will co-host viewing events in four large markets, including Columbus, Boston, Dallas/Ft. Worth and Southern California. Attendees will use the hashtag #sororityview on Twitter when the film airs October 1 and October 2 and will post to the Delta Gamma blog about their experiences. Those hosting will be encouraged to live their motto, “Do Good,” by inviting members from other NPC groups, daughters, mothers, friends and other members of the community to watch this documentary and engage in conversation following the film, using viewing kits prepared by Circle of Sisterhood, NPC and Delta Gamma.

“Half the Sky,” originally a book written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, was filmed in 10 countries. The writers and celebrity activists take a journey to tell the stories of inspiring and courageous individuals who are fighting oppression and the linked problems with sex trafficking and forced prostitution, gender-based violence, and maternal mortality – which needlessly claims one woman every 90 seconds. The film follows Kristof, WuDunn, and celebrity activists America Ferrera, Diane Lane, Eva Mendes, Meg Ryan, Gabrielle Union and Olivia Wilde as they travel to tell the stories of inspiring and courageous individuals.

“Delta Gamma is proud to support an endeavor that advocates for women all over the world by sponsoring four viewing parties for ‘Half the Sky’,” said Colleen McGuire, Delta Gamma executive director. “As a women’s organization, we feel that it is our duty to first learn about the issues that plague women globally and then do what we can to stand up for the rights of all women.”

The book that inspired the film, which was published in 2009, documents how a little help can transform the lives of women and girls abroad. A Cambodian girl, who eventually escaped from a brothel and, with assistance from an aid group, built a thriving retail business that supports her family. An Ethiopian woman had her injuries repaired and in time became a surgeon. A Zimbabwean mother of five, counseled to return to school, earned her doctorate and became an expert on AIDS.

“This film will highlight the undeniable truth that women around the world are too often subjected to violence and oppression solely because of their gender,” said Ginny Carroll, founder and chairwoman of the Circle of Sisterhood Foundation based in Indianapolis. “We hope it will bring the realization that education is the answer to most of the global issues affecting woman and that we, as educated women, have to be unwavering in our efforts to remove barriers to education.”

Billed as a “landmark transmedia project” by PBS, the debut of the film will include a four-hour primetime national and international broadcast, educational video modules with companion text and social media campaigns supported by more than 30 partners.

Big thanks to Delta Gamma for their support of this important project!

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