Tag: Donating

Categories
Health

CBS Is Donating $20 Million From Les Moonves' Severance Package to 18 Women's Organizations


On Friday, CBS announced it will donate $20 million to 18 women’s organizations that focus on eliminating sexual harassment in the workplace. The move comes as CBS grapples with multiple accusations of misconduct leveled against high-profile leaders at the organization.

CBS said earlier this year that it planned to take funds out of former CEO Les Moonves’ $140 million severance package and apply them toward women’s rights causes. They have now identified the recipients of the money, which include Time’s Up, Catalyst, the Freedom Forum Institute’s Power Shift Project, the International Women’s Media Foundation, Press Forward, and the Women’s Media Center. Reportedly, two of the organizations will also disperse some of the money to smaller women’s organizations.

Moonves stepped down in September after at least 12 women came forward to accuse him of behavior that ranged from lewd comments to assault. Along with Moonves, allegations have also been made against former show host Charlie Rose and 60 Minutes producer Jeff Fager, both of whom are no longer with the company.

A recent investigation into CBS’s history and culture of harassment also revealed that the network had paid actress Eliza Dushku $9.5 million in January to settle a dispute about how it handles harassment complaints she made about actor Michael Weatherly. According to documents obtained by The New York Times, Dushku had felt uncomfortable after Weatherly allegedly made comments about rape, a threesome, and her physical appearance.

For many, however, CBS’s $20 million pledge still not enough. Time’s Up, which will received $2 million toward an initiative aimed at increasing female representation in the entertainment industry, had previously urged the company to donate all of Moonves’ severance package.

“We also urge that the full amount reserved for Mr. Moonves’ severance be contributed to organizations that address sexual harassment and workplace safety. That is $120 million dollars that will either go to Mr. Moonves or back into the coffers of the company that allowed the culture created by Mr. Moonves to continue,” the organization wrote in a letter this September. “Or that $120 million can create change by going to organizations—and there are many impactful organizations—that can help women of all kinds. The choice is yours. But the answer is obvious. We ask that you not dishonor the bravery of those who have come forward by spending that money unwisely.”

In a joint statement released by all of the groups, the 18 organizations thanked CBS for the donation, but made it clear it doesn’t excuse the misbehaviors that have occurred at the highest levels of the company.

“We thank CBS for these donations. We also recognize these funds are not a panacea, nor do they erase or absolve decades of bad behavior,” the groups wrote.

Related Stories:

CBS Confirms It Paid Actress Eliza Dushku $9.5 Million to Settle Harassment Claims

Time’s Up Wants CBS to Donate All of Les Moonves’ $120 Million Severance

More Networks Are Creating TV Shows for and by Women—So Why Isn’t CBS?





Source link

Categories
Health

Chrissy Teigen Makes Trump's Birthday Great by Donating $288,000 to ACLU


Thursday, June 14, marks President Donald Trump’s 72nd birthday, and in honor of the occasion, Chrissy Teigen released a statement about the administration’s policy of separating immigrant children from their parents at the border, asking followers to donate to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

“John and I are outraged to see and hear the horror stories of immigrant families seeking asylum and refuge in America being ripped apart due to the inhumane policies of the Trump administration,” Chrissy wrote in a statement posted to Instagram and Twitter. “These actions are cruel, anti-family and go against everything we believe this country should represent. The ACLU is committed to defending the rights and humanity of these vulnerable families. In addition to fighting for immigrants’ rights, they’re advocating for reproductive rights, voting rights, criminal justice reform, LGBT rights, 1st amendment rights and holding the Trump administration accountable whenever possible.”

“The President celebrates his 72nd birthday today,” the statement continued. “On this auspicious occasion, in order to Make Trump’s Birthday Great Again, each member of our family has donated $72,000 to the ACLU. If you would like to donate $7.20, $72, or whatever you like to the ACLU in honor of this blessed day, please go to www.aclu.org/72.” Chrissy signed the statement “with love” from herself, John Legend, and their children Luna and Miles.

In April, the ACLU filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s aforementioned family separation practice, arguing that it violates the families’ constitutional rights to due process. Last Thursday, Bloomberg reported that a federal judge has allowed the lawsuit to advance on those grounds, but rejected the ACLU’s argument that the family separation policy violates asylum laws.

“The government actors responsible for the ‘care and custody’ of migrant children have, in fact, become their persecutors,” the judge said, according to Bloomberg. Bloomberg reported that the ACLU also requested for this practice to halt while the case proceeds, adding that the request is currently pending.

Chrissy was memorably blocked by Trump on Twitter last July, though it’s a safe bet the well-wishes came through loud and clear.





Source link

Categories
Health

Jennifer Lopez Is Donating $1 Million to Help Puerto Rico Hurricane Victims


Amid the dizzying series of natural disasters to occur over the past few weeks was Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm that left all of Puerto Rico without power, potentially for months. It’s killed at least 24 people, and it still continues to damage infrastructure throughout the region as a Category 2 hurricane. To help the victims attempting to rebuild their lives and communities, Jennifer Lopez is donating $1 million brought in by her recent Las Vegas concerts to Hurricane Maria relief.

“Given the loss and devastation, we need to pay attention to urgently support Puerto Rico and the Caribbean with donations and contributions,” she announced in a press conference with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Sunday. “Alex Rodriguez and I, who are both New Yorkers, are using all our resources and relationships in entertainment, sports, and business to garner support for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. … We are working day and night to identify the needs.”

The singer and actress, who is of Puerto Rican descent, shared that she herself has family in Puerto Rico that she still hasn’t heard from.

As co-chair of the Empire State Relief & Recovery Effort, J.Lo has teamed up with her ex, Marc Anthony, and other celebrities to help the recent victims of Mexico’s earthquakes and the Caribbean’s hurricanes. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and player J.J. Barea have organized two airplanes full of supplies. The New York Yankees and Major League Baseball have also promised to contribute.

[embedded content]

Earlier, in an Instagram post, J.Lo urged fans to donate to Puerto Rico First Lady Beatriz Areizaga’s United for Puerto Rico relief fund. “The devastation is beyond belief,” she said. “Today, Puerto Rico needs our help.”

Want to get involved in the Puerto Rico relief effort? Here are some ways to contribute.



Source link

Categories
Health

Francia Raisa Breaks Her Silence on Donating Her Kidney to Selena Gomez


Selena Gomez took to Instagram Wednesday morning to reveal that she recently underwent a kidney transplant. The procedure—which Gomez needed because of lupus—happened over the summer, and her friend, actress Francia Raisa, was the donor.

“There aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed,” Gomez wrote on Instagram. The accompanied photo, which shows Gomez and Raisa at the hospital, has over 5 million likes and several-thousand comments—and you can feel the love bursting through each of them.

And now, Raisa is opening up about the transplant. The 29-year-old posted the same photo to her own Instagram and wrote about her love for Gomez.

“I am beyond grateful that God would trust me with something that not only saved a life, but changed mine in the process,” she wrote. “This was part of our story, and we will share it soon, but what is important now is that this is not the only story.” She then included some information about lupus awareness and ended her post with, “Love you sis, so glad we’re on this journey together.”

See her post for yourself, below:

Gomez’s struggle with lupus became public in 2015. Last fall, she took a break to deal with anxiety and depression triggered by the autoimmune disease. She returned to the spotlight in November 2016 and has put out consistent work since then, including her two new singles, “Bad Liar” and “Fetish.”

“[The transplant] was what I needed to do for my overall health,” Gomez also wrote on Instagram. “I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you.”

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Francia Raisa, the Woman Who Gave Selena Gomez Her Kidney



Source link

Categories
Health

The Kardashians Are Donating $500,000 to Hurricane Harvey Relief


PHOTO: Gilbert Carrasquillo

The first family of reality TV is joining the growing list of celebrities donating to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. In a tweet on Tuesday, Kim Kardashian West announced that she, her mother Kris, and her sisters will be pledging $500,000 to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

The family seems to have been inspired by actor Kevin Hart, who called on celebrities to contribute to his relief fund. Hart himself pledged $25,000 to aid victims of the storm.

“My sisters, mom and I accept your challenge Kev!” Khloe Kardashian tweeted on Tuesday.

Hart’s hurricane relief fund had raised more than $300,000 at time of writing.

The reality stars follow some of the biggest names in entertainment who’ve stepped up to support the cause. Beyoncé announced in a statement that she’s working with BeyGOOD, her philanthropic initiative, to help as many people as possible affected by the storm; Lady Gaga tweeted that she was “making relief donations”; Katy Perry, during her hosting gig at the Video Music Awards, urged viewers to donate to the Red Cross.

The storm brought a record amount of rainfall to Texas—nearly 50 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Officials say at least nine people have died as a result of the devastating storm, and warn that upwards of 30,000 people will be displaced.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates the recovery will take years.



Source link

Categories
Health

Uber Is Donating $1.2 Million to Girls Who Code


Proving it’s serious about promoting gender diversity in tech, Uber is moving forward with their multi-year partnership with Girls Who Code and giving the nonprofit a $1.2 million grant to help make their vision—closing tech’s gender gap—a reality.

In recent months, the ride-sharing company has been dogged by reports that it perpetuated a hostile work environment that was riddled with allegations of sexism and harassment. But the departure of numerous executives—including former CEO Travis Kalanick—and the introduction of tech dynamo Bozoma Saint John as the new chief brand office indicated the company was eager to make a change.

And, following the release of its first diversity report in March, Uber vowed to donate $3 million to organizations dedicated to closing tech’s gender gap and planned to distribute these funds within a three-year time period. The Girls Who Code donation is part of this endeavor; over the next three years, the organization expects that the Uber investment will help teach over 60,000 girls the skills they need to break into the tech world.

Topping off the partnership, Saint John will be joining the Girls Who Code board of directors—though the specifics of her role within the nonprofit are still being worked out. “Right now, my duties are quite broad, and I think they’re more philosophical in nature—inspiring and ensuring the success of girls who want to learn these technical skills,” she told TechCrunch. Still, Saint John wants to be an example for young girls who want to start coding and give them any and all support they need.

“Now more than ever it’s important to see strong female leadership in the tech industry,” Reshma Saujani, Girls Who Code’s CEO and founder, told The Verge. “Bozoma exemplifies this.”

Related: Uber’s New Exec Bozoma Saint John on Sexism, Embracing Fear, and Bringing Her ‘Whole Self’ to Work



Source link