CHIME FOR CHANGE SPREADS THE WORD
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
Empowerment can be powerfully rewarding. It can carry our world to new heights to support a cause if we stand united.
On Saturday, June 1, 2013, in an effort to empower, ‘The Sound of Change Live’ took to the stage at Twickenham Stadium in London with an all-star cast of performers. There was more meaning to this global benefit concert than meets the eye. It was presented by Chime for Change, a campaign that puts girls’ and women’s issues on the world stage. Education, Health and Justice are the three crucial agenda items that take center stage.
This stylish campaign was founded by GUCCI to unite and strengthen the voices that are speaking out on behalf of women and girls everywhere. Catapult powers the campaign giving non-profit organizations a platform to get the word out on projects that are crucial to try and bring about change for. GUCCI continues to be a huge advocate of many philanthropic movements affecting girls and women such as UNICEF and Kering Corporate Foundation focusing on ending violence against women.
Each of the committees is led by passionate advocates. Beyonce’ ‘Chimes’ for Health. Frida Giannini ‘Chimes’ for Education and Salma Hayek ‘Chimes’ for Justice.
A commanding list of names head up the Advisory Board each united by a cause that deserves global attention. Familiar names include John Legend (Founder of Show Me Campaign), Arianna Huffington, Alicia Keys (Co-Founder of Keep A Child Alive), Jada Pinkett-Smith (Founder of Don’t Sell Bodies), Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Chime for Change gets the word out through storytelling and content distribution to social media, fundraising and live concerts such as the one held on Saturday, June 1, 2013.
Strategic partners include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Hearst Magazines, Kering Foundation, Facebook and Catapult. A few of the other partners include Tribeca Film Institute, The Huffington Post, Parkwood Entertainment and Global Philanthropy Group.
Crowds roared for the cause as their favorite musical artists took to the stage on the evening of June 1, 2013. Beyonce’, Ellie Goulding, Florence & The Machine, Haim, Iggy Azalea, Jennifer Lopez, John Legend, Laura Pausini, Rita Ora and Timbaland all gave stand-up performances.
Buying a ticket was not just an ordinary process. The day after the concert each ticket holder will receive a ‘Sound of Change’ voucher that is to be used to support projects focused on girls and women on chimeforchange.org. It is up to the ticket holder to choose from the long list of projects but they are given a period of one month to make their choice. It will be a feeling of ultimate satisfaction as a choice is picked and the ticket holder receives periodic updates on the cause throughout the year. This helps to show them how they have made a positive impact. If they forget to make a choice, a project is chosen on their behalf.
Madonna was one of the presenters of the evening. She wanted to let the audience know the importance of the event.
In her words: “I keep telling people I want to start a revolution, but my revolution doesn’t involve bloodshed and violence. My revolution starts with education. My revolution is about achieving a higher level of consciousness, but this cannot start without education.”
“We cannot change this world, nor begin to treat each other with human dignity, without an education. Let tonight be the beginning of this revolution because education is not a luxury, it is a basic human right.”
Passion was not just a part of the performances. Jessica Chastain, James Franco, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, Gloria Steinem and even Prince Harry who spoke from a video screen, reached out to convey their pleas and spread the word to gain worldwide awareness.
Fans were wowed by Beyonce’ and her ‘Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)’ along with her duet with hubby Jay-Z for ‘Crazy In Love’ from 2003. Jennifer Lopez and Mary J. Blige entertained enthusiastic fans with their rendition of the Beatles hit ‘Come Together’.
For all those that missed the 4-hour spectacular event, highlights will be televised by NBC from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 2, 2013. The special will be called ‘The Womens’ Concert For Change: Live From London’ and will feature appearances from Ben Affleck , Halle Berry , Gwyneth Paltrow , Julia Roberts and other surprise celebrities.
The manifesto for Chime For Change gets right to the heart of the matter.
Throughout history, women have done things differently.
When we need to get something done, we do it together.
With each new generation our story has spread wider.
The voices telling it braver, more powerful.
But the story is far from over. These are extraordinary times.
Thanks to technology, women across the world have the ability to connect in ways unimaginable to those who went before us. We believe that connection empowers us.
We are proud to be joining a growing movement of many.
The young and the old, women and men, from all cultures and all walks of life who want to see change. Not one, but billions of voices calling for the empowerment of girls and women. Empowerment through education, through health, through justice.
This is about hearing a call – to join us wherever you are.
About raising an alarm – drawing attention where there is work to be done.
Our issues are the world’s issues.
This is the sound of connection.
This is the sound of progress.
This is the sound of change.
PHOTO CREDITS: Getty Images/Ian Gavan and Tim P. Whitby, A/P & Invision-Jon Furniss
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