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press releases
"Liz Claiborne, Inc.'s On-Going Domestic Violence
Profits From Product Sales To Benefit Domestic Violence Agency Partners
NEW YORK, NY - (December 15, 1994) - In the third year of its domestic violence public service campaign called WOMEN'S WORK, Liz Claiborne, Inc. is offering artist-created commemorative items via a toll-free number and in each of its stores across the country to benefit national and local domestic violence organizations. In addition, the campaign is seeking to reach important constituencies, such as the corporate sector, the legal and medical establishments and key "influentials," through specific programs designed to educate and encourage participation in helping end domestic violence in this country.
"Unfortunately, many women are safer on the streets than they are in their own homes," explains Jerome A. Chazen, chairman, Liz Claiborne, Inc. "Our hope is the campaign will not only raise funds for domestic violence agencies, but stimulate awareness and intervention on the part of the general public and help educate policy makers and corporate leaders."
Artist Created Images Featured on Commemorative Items
Liz Claiborne, Inc. has commissioned American artist Annette Lemieux to create a compelling image for display on T-shirts ($16) and mugs ($7) which are available by calling 1-800-449-STOP (7867). All profits from 800# sales benefit The Family Violence Prevention Fund, a national, non-profit organization devoted to public policy, education and advocacy.
The commemorative Women's Work T-shirts and mugs are also available in all Liz Claiborne and Elisabeth Stores nationwide. All profits from store sales benefit Liz Claiborne's local domestic violence agency partners.
A Day of Shopping Benefits Local Charities
To commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, all Liz Claiborne and Elisabeth Stores hosted charity shopping events wherein 10 percent of the day's sales were donated to the company's local domestic violence agency partners.
The Corporate Sector
Liz Claiborne, Inc. commissioned a survey, conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide, of business leaders to determine their perceptions of the impact of domestic violence on corporate America. Results of the survey revealed that 57% of these leaders believe domestic violence is a major problem in society and yet only 12% say that corporations should play a major role in addressing the issue. However, while a majority of corporate America underwrites domestic violence programs, one-third perceive a negative impact of this problem on their bottom lines and four out of 10 are even personally aware of employees and other individuals affected by domestic violence, they seem uncomfortable or reluctant to deal with this issue. In fact, nearly all (96%) of those surveyed feel that it is an issue that should be addressed primarily by the family - perhaps reflecting a basic belief that domestic violence is a private matter.
In addition to conducting the survey, Liz Claiborne, Inc. has reached more than 500 companies across the country with specially-designed WOMEN'S WORK domestic violence awareness posters and brochures for display in employee areas.
The Medical and Legal Establishments
In an effort to support lawyers and doctors -- part of the critical network involved in protecting the safety of domestic violence victims -- Liz Claiborne, Inc. participated in the annual convention of the American Bar Association (ABA) in New Orleans in August and had a significant presence at the American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) convention in Orlando in November.
At the August ABA convention, Liz Claiborne, Inc. displayed WOMEN'S WORK anti-domestic violence images, sold commemorative products which benefited a local shelter and gave away educational brochures for distribution in lawyers' offices. The company participated in the AMWA convention by honoring a doctor for her exemplary work in the area domestic violence. Liz Claiborne, Inc. also received the AMWA President's Award.
Key "Influentials"
An anti-domestic violence message and image, also designed by artist Annette Lemieux, was sent in October to more than 1,000 "influentials" across the country, including elected officials and other government leaders; celebrities; leaders of women's, social service and community organizations; and corporate executives. These individuals were urged to distribute the image via fax to their own network of contacts as a way to encourage intervention in, and raise awareness of, the issue.
Social Service Network
To support the network of social service providers and advocates across the country, Liz Claiborne, Inc. is currently providing thousands of WOMEN'S WORK brochures and posters to social service agencies and shelters nationwide. Over the past three years of the WOMEN'S WORK campaign, Liz Claiborne, Inc. has distributed over 100,000 brochures and 20,000 posters featuring anti-domestic violence images and messages to these organizations.
The Media
To encourage responsible media coverage of the issue, Liz Claiborne, Inc. presented the first "Liz Claiborne, Inc. Award for Outstanding Coverage of Family Violence" earlier this year at the Exceptional Merit Media Awards (EMMAs), sponsored by the National Women's Political Caucus. The award was given to the Academy Award-winning documentary short, "Defending Our Lives," which features, without sensationalism, the testimonies of women imprisoned for killing their batterers in an act of self-defense.
The WOMEN'S WORK Program
WOMEN'S WORK was launched in October 1991 as a series of community-based, public art projects designed to heighten awareness of, and encourage positive social change on, issues of concern to women and their families. To date, San Francisco, Boston and Miami have been the sites for anti-domestic violence public service campaigns that have included billboard and radio public service announcements and the forging of partnerships by Liz Claiborne, Inc. with local community groups and retailers.
Liz Claiborne, Inc. believes its responsibility to its customers goes beyond the traditional role of a marketer and, through the WOMEN'S WORK program, seeks to give something of value back to the people who have contributed to its success.
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