ONE Powerful Night

Mar 6th, 2009 6:35 PM UTC
By Chris Scott

As we’ve been blogging about for the past few weeks, last night was the special live broadcast of “A Powerful Noise” screened at over 450 theaters across the country. Many ONE members (including yours truly) attended, and I wanted to round up some reactions, photos, and videos from this great event.

Hampton, VA
Women in Hampton, VA made a powerful noise in a quiet theatre by gathering to hear the stories of women from the developing world who are leaders in their communities and learning how to take action. The film was followed by an incredible panel discussion with Helene Gayle, Madeleine Albright, Nicholas Kristof, Christy Turlington Burns, and Natalie Portman who encouraged us to fight extreme poverty by advocating for sustainable solutions to our congressional representatives.

-Lauren Conn

Birmingham, AL
The room wasn’t full but Birmingham had a respectable number in attendance at A Powerful Noise, especially given that tonight’s screening was our second in the last 5 months. The attendees were very quiet and attentive, often seen wiping away tears. As they left the theatre, many were compelled to share what brought them to tonight’s event. One woman stumbled upon A Powerful Noise the previous night at 11:00 p.m. on the internet as she was helping her daughter research a paper on women’s rights. Another got an email from artist Michael Franti. One man enthusiastically said that he had finally found what he was looking for!

The theatre would not grant me permission to set up a table so I made up small packets to give to people as they left the auditorium. The packet proved to be a welcome “departing gift” for the diehards who stayed until the end credits. People responded with gratitude for being given the tools to go home and take action.

-Elaine VanCleave

Florida
Across the state, Florida ONE volunteers got together at various movie theatres last night to watch the screening of “A Powerful Noise”. It was exciting to celebrate International Women’s Day and at the same time learn more about the strength and solidarity of women who are fighting poverty around the world. Here in Florida, we are energized and ready to do what we can locally to empower women and girls to help us continue to raise awareness about extreme poverty and preventable diseases!

-Sara Paterni

Pittsburg, PA
Last night I went with some Pittsburgh ONE members to watch a local screening of A Powerful Noise. At the theater, we spoke with some of the movie goers and it was so encouraging to hear their thoughts and enthusiasm for a film that speaks so poignantly about the issues of global poverty, disease, maternal health, education and all of the companion issues that are so much a part of what we do at ONE. For some of these conversations, check out video from the event here.

-Christopher Geer

Minneapolis/ St. Paul, MN
Last night local ONE members attended screenings of ‘A Powerful Noise’ all over the Twin Cities, I met up with a group of about 10 at the downtown Minneapolis Theatre. We felt the documentary was fantastic and the panel discussion was extremely insightful and motivational. I interviewed a couple people to ask what they thought about the movie and what they hope people will take away from the experience.

I personally hope people leave motivated and find ways they can make a change in their own community or a community across the globe. A voice is a powerful thing and just like the women in the film, using it can impact and improve the lives of so many people. I hope people are inspired by these women and choose to make their own powerful noise by getting involved in organizations like ONE and CARE to make a difference in the world. Check out video from the event here and here.

-Libby Crimmings

TAGS: A Powerful Noise, CARE, From ONE Members, From Our Partners, ONE