In an effort to educate and motivate Americans across the country to support legislation for the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM), which would lead to the construction of a museum on the National Mall, NWHM has reached out to Hollywood’s brightest stars to launch a grassroots Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign based on the theme, “Don’t Tell Me I Can’t.”
FILMLOOK Media and Post donated postproduction services under the direction of company vice president, Anna Cordova. Other partners that donated equipment, talent and services include Culver Studios, Sammy Sound, Panavision, O.T.M.F.C. and Akasha Restaurant.
The series of TV spots features young girls portraying notable women in history, reminding us of their impact. The primary campaign goal is to both educate the public about these amazing women and to raise awareness about the importance of having a museum that celebrates women’s contributions throughout history. “It is imperative that girls and boys know the full story of their own history, so they know they can (instead of can’t) be whatever they want growing up,” said NWHM president and CEO, Joan Wages, said. “They need to know, the sky’s the limit!”
NWHM has begun to attract the attention of many of the powerful women in the entertainment world. In addition to its first spokesperson, Meryl Streep, the museum has added a number of ambassadors to help raise awareness and support for this important project, including actress Geena Davis, director Catherine Hardwicke, actress Amy Brenneman, journalist/TV reporter Lisa Ling, screenwriter Robin Swicord, actress Kate Walsh, author Nora Ephron, actress Frances Fisher, folk singer Janis Ian and director Kimberly Peirce.
The museum tapped acclaimed film director Catherine Hardwicke to direct the PSAs for the organization. Hardwicke is best known for directing Twilight, one of the highest grossing films directed by a woman, as well as Red Riding Hood and Thirteen. In addition to Hardwicke, the PSAs feature four-time Emmy winner Alfre Woodard. The series of TV spots, include a :15, two :30s and a :90, all have the young girls and Woodard on camera.
According to Wages, “We are thrilled to be working with our dedicated film and television team in Hollywood and are confident that this partnership will enable us to raise the recognition of women in history and secure a building site for a national museum in Washington, D.C. This museum will be the first national history museum in a nation’s capital in the world to celebrate women’s history. We hope other countries will build museums, and together we’ll be seen as a beacon for women around the world!”
The ads will be available to media outlets in the coming weeks.
