Interview: Ann Murray Paige And Pink Tips For Breast Cancer Fighters

Photo: VIPimages.com

By Stacey Gualandi

TWITTER: @annmurraypaige
FACEBOOK:  annmurraypaige

With the country’s attention focused heavily on breast cancer this month, there is story after inspiring story of amazing survivors of this disease.  But one woman’s journey in particular, Ann Murray Paige, truly captures the spirit of what it means to be a breast cancer fighter!

” Once life forced my face to the mat, I came back swinging, and I still am.”  Ann Murray Paige

Mutual friends Susie Stangland and Lee Woodruff, whom we profiled earlier this year, introduced me to Ann, and I am so grateful they did.

Ann getting chemo; Linda Patillo with camera

This Emmy-nominated New England TV journalist, wife, and mother of two adorable young children, was diagnosed with breast cancer at only 38.  Her dream of having a third child ended there.

But Ann did what she knew best; she told a story.  She documented her battle in the acclaimed film, “The Breast Cancer Diaries.”

She writes an award-winning blog Project Pink , and her just-released book, “pink tips: breast cancer advice from someone who’s been there,” is  the cancer Cliffsnotes she wished she had.

We both worked in television news and share a love of  “Charlie’s Angels” (don’t ask!!!), so I wanted to get to know this “warrior in pink” better.  I soon learned cancer picked the wrong gal when it picked her.

Be sure to tune in soon to our interview with Ann on The Women’s Eye Radio Show airing in December…

Interview: Carie Lemack On The 10th Anniversary Of 9/11 And Ending Terrorism

By Stacey Gualandi

Facebook: globalsurvivorsnetwork
Twitter: globalsurvivors

It is hard to believe that it has been ten years since 9/11. I remember a panicked phone call I received that morning from my office. I went to work (for Inside Edition) and covered the events that unfolded, never fully comprehending what had taken place or how the country would move forward from such tragedy.

“My life’s mission is to live a life that my mom would be proud of.  And that’s what I try to do everyday.”  Carie Lemack

Now as we approach the tenth anniversary, we meet Carie Lemack, one woman who never stopped working tirelessly on behalf of survivors of terrorism and their families.

Her mother, Judy Larocque, was on American Airlines Flight 11 that tragic day.  Carie’s devastating loss took her on an unprecedented journey to make sure no one else suffers as she has.

Carie visits London school to warn against extremism/2009

In 2009 she formed Global Survivors Network, an organization that helps people directly affected by terrorism to reach out across the globe in hopes of preventing future terror acts. Their first documentary short, “Killing in the Name,” received an Oscar® nomination last year. The film will be making its television debut on HBO this Fall.

UPDATE 9/9/11–“Killing in the Name” about one person’s mission to expose the true cost of terrorism debuts Sept. 14, exclusively on HBO2.  It can be seen there on other playdates during September.

On the eve of the 10^th anniversary, Carie spoke candidly to me about her loss, her work, and the new face of terrorism…

Interview: Mary Skinner’s Special Film “Irena Sendler–In The Name Of Their Mothers”

By Pamela Burke

UPDATE 2/26/12:  This documentary just won the 2012 Gracie Award for Outstanding Documentary in Public TV

Mary Skinner is a former marketing executive turned documentarian.  She’s recently released the remarkable film:  Irena Sendler, In the Name of their Mothers, the story of a group of young Polish women who outwitted the Nazis to save thousands of Jewish children from certain death during WWII.

“It was sad to me that few people outside of Poland knew anything about these people.”  Mary Skinner

The story is told through the perspective of 95-year-old Irena Sendler, her co-conspirators, and several of the children they saved.  Mary was always struck by the story and the “moxie” of the women.

She alerted us to her documentary as it was about to be broadcast on PBS in May, writing that it was an inspiring story of feminine moral courage that she hoped people would view.  We wanted to know more about this powerful and moving film.  Mary filled us in on the details of her journey to make it…

Christa McAuliffe Remembered By Her Mother And A Special Film

Christa McAuliffe and Mother Grace Corrigan--Their Last Photo Together

All photos courtesy:   Christa McAuliffe: REACH FOR THE STARS

“I miss my daughter very much and I’m comforted to know that she lives on in this wonderful film.”  Grace Corrigan

Loving wife.  Dedicated mother.  Devoted teacher. Role model. 

Christa McAuliffe was all of these things.  She came to symbolize limitless human potential as the first teacher in space.   Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the Challenger disaster, the shuttle mission that claimed the lives of Christa and 6 of her fellow astronauts when it exploded 73 seconds after take off in 1986.  It shocked the world.

I, like so many, remember exactly where I was on that fateful day, watching this terrible event with my roommates in my college dorm at Miami University.   Christa represented so much to so many.  The woman who said “I touch the future.  I teach” has never been forgotten….

Abigail E. Disney Produces Documentary On Liberian Women’s Fight For Peace

Abigail E. Disney’s first film “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” traces the journey of the Liberian women who united to end a bloody civil war and helped bring peace to their homeland in 2003.   This remarkable documentary features  Christian and Muslim mothers and grandmothers who came together to end the extreme brutality in their country.

The film will have its television premiere in Spring, 2011  as part of a mini-series produced by Abigail called  “Women, War & Peace” on PBS’s Wide Angle.

Abigail suggest three documentaries you might want to see. 

To read more about this film and find out how to see it: 

Pray the Devil Back to Hell Website

Question:  Would you have the courage to march for the liberation of your country?

Annie Leonard Examines Stuff and Overconsumption

Photo: Eros Hoagland/NYT

Annie Leonard is the author of “The Story of Stuff”  and host of a twenty minute film of the same name.    Dedicated to transforming industrial and economic systems, she’s been investigating environmental health and justice issues for nearly twenty years.

To read the article:

NY Times

To see the website:

Story of  Stuff

Do you think you consume too much stuff?

Christy Turlington Burns’ New Film Exposes Poor Health Care For Mothers

Photo: Every Mother Counts

Model and humanitarian Christy Turlington Burns’ new documentary “No Woman, No Cry” reports that moms worldwide don’t have access to the health care that saved her during the birth of her daughter.   “Half a million women each year die from 90% preventable causes,” she says.

The movie opened at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York last month.  Christy is enrolled in a Master’s of Public Health program at Columbia University.

To read the article:

NY Daily News

To view the website:

Every Mother Counts

What are you willing to do to help improve mothers’  health around the world?

Kenyan Conservationist Saba Douglas-Hamilton Presents “Secret Life Of Elephants”

Saba and a team of filmmakers follow some 900 elephants that roam Kenya’s National Samburu Reserve in this remarkable documentary.   She is a trustee of “Save the Elephants,” a charity founded by her father.

Produced by the BBC, this program  is airs tonite on Animal Planet.

Check out:

ABC’s Nightline

Saba’s website

Is there an animal that you would fight to save?