jan-2018

16 17 T IME’SUP,an unprecedentedmovement started bywomen in the entertainment industry,todayannounced the launch of the TIME’SUPLegal Defense Fund.TheTIME’SUPLegal Defense Fund is one of a series of TIME’SUP’s ongoing commitments to combat the systemicpower imbalances that have prohibitedmany women,especiallywomen of color,frombeing safe and reaching their full potential in theworkplace. TIME’SUP is a central hub supporting awide range of initiatives aimed at promoting equalityand safety in theworkplace.In addition to theTIME’SUPLegal Defense Fund,TIME’SUP initiatives cover leg- islation,corporate policy,hiring practices and aggregating important resources.TIME’SUP is comprised of manyworking groups that focus on tackling these issues fromvarious angles. “Earning a living should not come at the cost of anyone’s safety,dignityor morale,”said Shonda Rhimes.“Everyper- son should get towork in an environment free fromabuse, assault and discrimination.It’s well past time to change the culture of the environment wheremost of us spend the majorityof our day--theworkplace.51%of our population is female,over 30%of our population is of color.Those are important, vital,economicallypowerfullyvoices that need to be heard at every level.TIME’SUP is working tomake sure the peoplewalking the cor- ridors of power within theworkplace and in politics truly reflect the full mixof America–the real America that looks like and includes all of us. Look,this isn’t going to be easybut it is right. And fighting for what is right can seemhard. But lettingwhat is wrong become normal is not easier--it is just more shameful.” TheTIME’SUPLegal Defense Fund,spearheaded byTinaTchen and Roberta Kaplan and top PR professionals,will help individuals who experience sexual misconduct including assault,abuse or harassment find legal representation. TheTIME’SUPLegal Defense Fundwill be housed at and administered by theNational Women’s LawCenter and participating attorneys will workwith the Center’s Legal Network for Gender Equity to enablemore individuals to come forward and secure legal assistance. OPENING LINES FEMALE LEADERS LAUNCH “TIME’S UP” CAMPAIGN TO ERADICATE ABUSE OF POWER, SHIFT LEADERSHIP IMBALANCES, AND PROMOTE EQUALITY Prior to its formal launch,TIME’SUPhas already raised more than thirteenmillion dollars fromover 200 donors for TheTIME’SUPLegal Defense Fund,to help to defray costs for lawyers and communications professionals from across the country to provide assistance to thosewho experience sexual harassment.Founding donors include KatieMcGrath& J.J.Abrams,JenniferAniston,Shonda Rhimes,Meryl Streep,ReeseWitherspoon,Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg’sWunderkinder Foundation,Cre- ativeArtistsAgency (CAA),ICMPartners (ICM),Paradigm TalentAgency,UnitedTalentAgency (UTA),andWilliam Morris Endeavor (WME). TheTIME’SUPLegalDefense Fundwill enable individuals tocome forwardwithout fear of legal,careeror financial retaliationandworktowarda culture free fromsexual harassment. “Themagnitudeof thepast fewmonthshighlights the fact that sexual harassment againstwomen intheworkplace is endemicandtoucheseveryindustry,”saidTinaTchen,attor- neyandco-founderofTIME’SUPLegalDefenseFund.“We areacommunityofwomenandmenwhocan no longer stand idlyby.This is the firstof manyconcreteactionswewill take.And weare thrilledtopartnerwithFatima GossGravesandtheNationalWomen’s LawCenter toassure theTIME’SUP LegalDefenseFund’s success.” InadditiontotheTIME’SUPLegal Defense Fund and the Commission, TIME’SUP is alsoworking closelywith 5050by2020,believing a shift in power and leadership is imperative tomake change.The group is advocating for a 50/50model where women are equally represented at every level—es- pecially in leadership positions and positions of power. 5050by2020 has already received commitments for gen- der parityby2020 from leaders in the industry including CreativeArtistAgency (CAA) and ICMPartners (ICM).