CBS Radio Anchor Felicia Middlebrooks Headlines '07 WITASWAN Program

Chicago, IL (PRWeb) January 22, 2007 -- The WITASWAN initiative proudly announces the special guest for our 2007 program: Chicago's own Felicia Middlebrooks! Ms. Middlebrooks is the producer/director of the award-winning documentary short "Somebody's Child: The Redemption of Rwanda," and she will introduce the film and then take questions from the audience after the screening. Returning from a riveting trip to Rwanda in spring 2004, Ms. Middlebrooks received accolades for her groundbreaking special report on the 10th Anniversary of the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, in which one million people were slaughtered. "Somebody's Child," her first film, chronicles the events leading up to the genocide, and examines how survivors are coping today. Ms. Middlebrooks is a 31-year veteran journalist for CBS Radio/WBBM Newsradio 780, and is recognized through out metro Chicago for her warm signature voice.



Four Illinois-based organizations, AAUW-Illinois (the American Association of University Women), AWJ (the Association for Women Journalists), IWPA (the Illinois Woman's Press Association), and WIF/C (Women in Film/Chicago) are co-sponsoring this program, under the banner of WITASWAN ("Women in the Audience Supporting Women Artists Now!").

The 2007 event will take place on Saturday, March 31, from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM, at Landmark's Century Center Theater (located at Clark & Diversey in Chicago). Admission is $15.00 per person in advance, $10.00 for seniors 65+ and all students (with IDs). Walk-in rate (for those without reservations) is $20.00 per person (based on space available). In addition to the admission fee, voluntary donations will be solicited for Rwanda's genocide widows and children through "Hollywood Comes to Chicago" a 501c3 established by Ms. Middlebrooks. One hundred percent of these tax deductible donations will be sent to those in need.

This program is the third in WITASWAN's annual series of events celebrating Women's History Month. The first program was a screening of "A Jury of Her Peers," the Oscar-nominated feminist classic written and directed by Sally Heckel, which was held on March 19, 2005 (with Ms. Heckel as the featured guest). The second program was a screening of "Look Both Ways" written and directed by Sarah Watt which was held on March 18, 2006 (with Ms. Watt as the featured guest). The 2006 screening was co-sponsored by the Australian Consul-General for Chicago, who had copies of three of Ms. Watt's award-winning animated shorts sent from Melbourne via diplomatic pouch especially for the occasion.

To learn more about WITASWAN and download a copy of the 2007 reservation form, visit: http://www.films42.com/witaswan/march-07.asp

PR CONTACT: The Eventors
Jane Canepa: 312.217. 5263 (JANE)
Caitlin Fitzpatrick: 765.532.6195
http://www.dancingcanepas.com

WITASWAN Coordinator:
Jan Lisa Huttner: 312.663.5832
http://www.films42.com/contact_us/contact_us.asp

WITASWAN ("Women in the Audience Supporting Women Artists Now!") is a web-based alliance of women who have pledged themselves to helping women filmmakers break through the Celluloid Ceiling that restricts opportunities for women in Hollywood and beyond. WITASWAN began as an AAUW-Illinois initiative in 2003 and has been steadily growing ever since. We make a voluntary commitment to see at least one film either directed and/or written by a woman every month, either in theatres or on DVD/VHS. For more information, visit http://www.films42.com/witaswan.asp.

AAUW (the American Association of University Women) has been an advocate for equity for women and girls for over 125 years. The nationwide network currently has more than 100,000 members, 1,300 branches, and 500 college/university partners. The first AAUW-Illinois branch was established in Chicago in 1889. More information about AAUW-Illinois can be found at http://www.aauw-il.org.

AWJ (the Association for Women Journalists) is dedicated to supporting women in journalism and promoting respectful treatment of women by the news media. Membership in AWJ Chicago is open to both women and men in the print and broadcast media and provides networking opportunities and events that support women in the field of journalism. More information about AWJ can be found at http://www.awjchicago.org.

IWPA (the Illinois Woman's Press Association) is an organization dedicated to maintaining and improving professional standards of members in mass communication in Illinois. This organization, founded in 1885, promotes the sharing of ideas and information. IWPA is an affiliate of NFPW (the National Federation of Press Women). Visit http://www.iwpa.org for more information about IWPA, their members, and events.

WIF/C (Women in Film/Chicago) is a not-for-profit organization aimed at providing an educational and literary community to promote women at all levels in the media creation industry. WIF/C provides guidance through mentorship programs, career development opportunities, and community resources. WIF/C's annual "Focus Awards" honor women in the Midwest who have made significant contributions to advertising, film and corporate and television production industry. More information about WIF/C can be found at http://www.wifchicago.org.

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