Two things never cease to amaze me: first that there’s so much joy in unexpected generosity and second that Central Oregon is an empowering and inspiring community. Commentary by Pamela Hulse Andrews
A few weeks ago when Orit Schwartz (director of BendFilm) told me that she needed sponsors for film awards at $1,000 a piece, I casually said: I can probably get ten of my women friends to pitch in $100 each to fund an award.
But little did I know the power of spreading the word to the right women! I decided to create a clever way to entice them in my mission and informally created a group dubbed: Independent WOMEN for Independent Film. The aim was to sponsor the Best Director award.
I was inspired by Blake Canterbury a young General Y founder of beremedy, who said at TEDxBend that “there are the resources in every community to meet the needs of that community.” Blake uses social media to help thousands of people around the world.
I decided to use his concept with just email and sent a note to a couple dozen women and within 15 minutes I had 22 women signed on to fund two awards. But yikes, it didn’t stop there, it has wildfired all over Central Oregon and beyond. Today the group is flying high with 95 women and growing every day. That’s $9,500.
Rebecca Charlton, owner of Cowgirl Cash in Bend, and many others drew on their network of customers and friends to add to the list and daily I get checks from women I don’t know.
The money will fund several awards as well as help preserve, enhance and protect such an excellent festival and what it brings to Bend.
Who would have thought that by joining forces we could make such a huge difference?
Contact me if you want to participate (comes with the cool button shown on this page, designed by Renee Patrick). pamela@cascadebusnews.com
For a complete list of THESE FANTASTIC WOMEN contributors go to bendfilm.org or cascadeAE.com.
Women are in league with each other, a secret conspiracy of hearts and pheromones. ~ Camille Paglia (American author, teacher and social critic)