Real Women Respond to Sarah Palin- A grassroots, live streamed Webathon Event

Real Women Respond to Sarah Palin - Live Video Webathon

Thursday, October 30, 1PM-9PM (eastern standard time)

http://womenrespondtopalin.com

New York, NY, October 21, 2008 – Web video producers Kathryn Jones and Charlie Oliver will produce and distribute throughout the internet the first-ever live political fundraising webathon in support of millions of women across America who want to express their grave concern regarding the nomination of Sarah Palin.

It all started four weeks ago with one letter written by two women (Lyra Kilston and Quinn Latimore) that they emailed to 40 of their friends. “We are writing to you,” wrote Lyra and Quinn, “because of the fury and dread we have felt since the announcement of Sarah Palin as the Vice-Presidential candidate for the Republican Party.” Lyra and Quinn eloquently expressed their fear and outrage at the prospect of the relatively inexperienced Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin with extreme conservative policies potentially being one failed heartbeat away from becoming President of the United States and leader of the freeworld.

Lyra and Quinn conveyed in no uncertain terms the exact intent of their letter: “Ms. Palin does not represent us. She does not demonstrate or uphold our interests as American women. It is presumed that the inclusion of a woman on the Republican ticket could win over women voters. We want to disagree, publicly.”

Within one week over 100,000 women (Democrats, Republicans and Independents) of various ages (from 17 to 95 years old) responded to Lyra and Quinn’s letter with passionate, urgent (and often very personal) statements denouncing Sarah Palin’s policies and, subsequently, her conduct on the campaign trail. The story was soon picked up and reported on by the news media such as ABC News and The New York Observer (to name a few). Four weeks later, the responses from women across America continue to pour in to Lyra and Quinn’s blog.

Kathryn and Charlie are taking the movement to the next level. On October 30th performers from all walks of life (unknown and celebrity) will give voice to the myriad of women who responded to Lyra and Quinn’s letter by reading their colorful responses live, on-camera to a global online audience. “We want to shine an even brighter light on the policies of Sarah Palin and give real women of America a chance to respond to her,” says Kathryn. “And at the same time raise money for three non-profit organizations that would become most vulnerable in the face of Governor Palin’s policies if she became President,” added Charlie. Non-profit organizations already on-board include People for the American Way and Republicans for Choice (the third non-profit, a wildlife preservation organization, will be announced soon). Funds will be raised in “microdonations” in the amount of $2.99 per user voluntarily with the ease of a donation widget.

Using the Ustream.tv platform, the “Women Respond to Palin Webathon” will incorporate social media and web video tools such as a real-time live chat room, video-sharing with friends via email and social sharing sites (Digg, del.icio.us, etc.) and, for Bloggers, the ability to host the Webathon on their blog by embedding the live video on their site. It is an unprecedented new media event for a social cause: http://womenrespondtopalin.com/