In addition to being know as a multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominated actress, Gloria Reuben is dedicated to advocating for several causes. Her focus is on AIDS/HIV, human rights, the environment, women’s issues and the arts. Gloria is successful on the speaking circuit touching on all of these issues and has become a fixture in DC where she has been lobbying for these causes. She is currently involved with several organizations to further her activism, has participated in numerous events, and received various honors as summarized below.
ELIZABETH GLAZER PEDIATRIC AIDS FOUNDATION - Gloria joined Pamela Barns (the President of the Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation) last summer to travel to South Africa to witness vital work being done to combat HIV/AIDS at their prevention and treatment sites in Johannesburg, SA. The four-day journey also kicked off Reuben’s role as a Celebrity Spokesperson with the Foundation’s Speakers Bureau, which seeks to raise awareness about the continuing HIV/AIDS pandemic and the important work of the Foundation in combating this ongoing health crisis. She also recently participated in the Jewelers for Children event in Las Vegas on behalf of PEDAIDS to raise money for the cause.
SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER - During her trip to S. Africa last summer, Gloria participated in the launching of Kerry Kennedy’s “Speak Truth To Power” (a human rights play and photo exhibit (www.speaktruth.org). She participated in the performance of the play at the University of Cape Town, and at Witwatersrand (Wits) University in Johannesburg. RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights – Gloria recently joined the leadership council for the Robert F Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights (www.RFKCenter.org). In November, Gloria went to The White House to attend the presentation of the 2009 RFK Human Rights Award by President Barack Obama. She recently attended the RFK Ripple of Hope Awards honoring Wyclef Jean and Bono. The evening was emceed by actor Peter Gallagher and included monologues based on the play “Speak Truth to Power” performed by Gloria, Matthew Modine, Matt McCoy, and Joey Pantoliano. Gloria travels nationally and internationally in support of the Center, advocating for human rights and performing in the play. UN – In 2009, Gloria participated in the Secretary-General’s Forum on Advancing Global Health in the Face of Crisis. The Secretary-General’s Forum was an opportunity to examine ways to strengthen efforts and push progress on global health. Their efforts helped raise the political attention to critical global health issues through an interactive moderated discussion between distinguished panelists, Member States, United Nations entities, civil society, the private sector and philanthropy.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD - In July, Gloria hosted Planned Parenthood’s Maggie Media Awards. The Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) Maggie Awards recognize exceptional contributions by the media and arts and entertainment industries that enhance the public’s understanding of reproductive rights and health care issues, including contraception, sex education, teen pregnancy, abortion, and international family planning. Named after Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, the annual awards cover the following categories: advertising, broadcast media and video, magazine, music, new media, newspaper, and radio. She was also recently honored and spoke at the organizations “Champion’s of Choice” event in DC.
THEATER OF WAR – Gloria recently participated in the “Theater of War” event at St. Vincent’s Hospital. This special performance was held on for dozens of service members, veterans, relatives and Pentagon officials. Other actors involved included The actors in the one-hour reading were Jeffrey Wright, David Strathairn and Adam Driver, a former Marine. The play was transcribed from a Greek play that deals with the trauma that servicemen (and women, and their loved ones) face when people have served in the military for many years. Of course, today this trauma is known as post traumatic stress disorder.
ASPEN CULTURAL DIPLOMACY FORUM – Last Fall, Gloria participated in the Aspen Cultural Diplomacy Forum in Paris. The theme of this forum was Culture in Conflict/Culture on the Move. While at this forum Gloria spoke on a panel entitled Drawing on Hollywood to discuss how Hollywood professionals are able to use their skills and resources to support critical causes.
WATERKEEPER ALLIANCE – Gloria is Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for Bobby Kennedy Jrs Waterkeeper Alliance, a grass roots non-profit organization that preserves and protects the waterways of the world (www.waterkeeper.org). Through the Alliance’s “The Dirty Lie” campaign, Gloria is leading the effort to dispel the notion that coal is somehow “clean.” The coal industry is promoting “clean coal” as a present-day solution to America’s energy problems, but the coal burned today to make electricity contributes mightily to smog, acid rain, mercury contamination and, of course, global warming. In the summer of ’09, Gloria spoke at an anti-coal rally in North Carolina on behalf of the alliance, protesting Jim Rogers, head of Duke energy, and his coal fired power plant that is being built there. At the ‘08 Toronto Film Festival, Gloria hosted the Waterkeeper Alliance event. In Winter ’08, Gloria attended a Supreme Court hearing for Waterkeeper Alliance. In Fall ‘08, she attended the Maine Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival on behalf of the Waterkeeper Alliance and introduced Grand Canyon Adventure, a film that features the Waterkeeper Board Chair, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. p>
ALLIANCE FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION – participated in a national PSA entitled “Repower America” along with Frances Beinecke, Head of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sheryl Crowe, Ted Turner, General Wesley Clark, Melissa Etheridge and Michael Bloomberg.
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION – participated in a Fair Climate national PSA for NWF in conjunction with NAACP as part of their joint resolution against how climate change disproportionately impacts the communities of color and the side effects such as disease and agricultural impact on Africa and poorer countries. Gloria is on the President’s Advisory Council for the NWF. MADE IN AMERICA CLEAN
ENERGY RALLY – Fall ’09 attended rally in Pittsburgh for our Made in America Clean Energy Jobs rally sponsored by the Alliance for Climate Protection.
ASPEN CULTURAL DIPLOMACY FORUM - Last Fall, Gloria participated in the Aspen Cultural Diplomacy Forum in Paris. The theme of this forum was Culture in Conflict/Culture on the Move. While at this forum Gloria spoke on a panel entitled Drawing on Hollywood to discuss how Hollywood professionals are able to use their skills and resources to support critical causes.
BLACK AIDS INSTITUTE – Gloria was honored with the “Communicator Award” by the Black AIDS Institute in February at the 8th Annual Heroes in the Struggle Gala Reception and Awards Presentation. This award was given to Gloria in commemoration of National Black AIDS Awareness Month, and her work with AIDS in the black community.
Planned Parenthood Champions of Choice Gloria was named a “Champion of Choice” at their event in Washington DC for Planned Parenthood in October 2009.
The Daily Green’s Heart Of Green Awards – Gloria was given a HEART OF GREEN “Truth Teller” Award. The Daily Green’s Heart Of Green Awards honored Gloria on behalf of her efforts with the Waterkeeper Alliance’s “The Dirty Lie” campaign. Other honorees included Frances Beinecke – Head of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Alicia Silverstone and Laura Michalchyshyn- President of Planet Green.
