I have some great news! Two months ago, I received an exciting email from the Women’s Media Center saying that renowned group of feminists, including Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda, and Carol Jenkins, had selected me as a nominee for the Women’s Media Center Social Media Award. The nominees represent a diverse group of journalists and bloggers that use the Internet and social networking to make sure that the voices of women and girls are visible and powerful in the media. The winner will accept the award at the Women’s Media Center Women’s Media Award show alongside special honorees: Soledad O’Brien, Lara Logan, Yanique Richards, and Maggie Wilderotter. I am humbled to say the least.

Here’s what I need you to do:

Go to this website: http://action.womensmediacenter.com/page/s/social-media-award-2011 

(If you want to see my picture/bio, scroll your mouse to the right over the pictures until you see “Arielle Loren”)

And vote by scrolling down, filling out the form, and selecting Arielle Loren from the list of nominees. It takes less than 180 seconds to do the whole thing and I’d definitely appreciate it!

In addition, if you really want to help (after you vote), please post on Facebook or Twitter “My friend Arielle Loren is up for the 2011 Women’s Media Center Social Media Award. Vote for her! (it takes less than 2 minutes) http://action.womensmediacenter.com/page/s/social-media-award-2011” 

And one more (very important) thing:

I’ve launched a fundraising campaign to cover the remaining costs of my travels, film, and new magazine. As many of you know, I have self-financed all of my projects in the past and the majority of my travels. But now, more than ever, I really, REALLY need your support, even if it’s only $15. If you’ve ever enjoyed one of my articles or been inspired by what I do, I’d appreciate a donation. I can’t do this alone anymore.

Click here to go to my fundraising page: http://www.gofundme.com/arielleloren

I mean it when I say that no donation is too small and have some great rewards to offer for your support!

I know this award and even the reasons behind this campaign would not have been possible without your support. And for that, I am thankful and look forward to taking my work to the next level to empower more people interested in women’s issues, sexuality, health, and traveling the world.

Onward and upward!

Sending you hugs from Brasil,

Arielle

For those of you that follow my work closely, I’ve spoken about my biological mother and losing her to breast cancer at a very young age. Her incredible fight and legacy inspire me everyday to vocalize the importance of breast health and women taking proactive steps to ensure a healthy life. One of my godmothers (and my mother’s bestfriend) was also diagnosed with breast cancer. And her fight will be featured in a new play called From Breast Cancer to Broadway.

In a series of ten minute plays written by breast cancer survivors, From Breast Cancer to Broadway will empower, encourage, entertain, and inform women, men, and families about the struggles and triumphs of breast cancer. My godmother, Loretta Embry, will have her monologue performed on June 27th at the Cherry Lane Theatre in New York. Other participating artists include: Ruby Dee, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Billie Allen, Yusha-Marie Sorzano, Linda Powell, Stephanie Berry, Roscoe Orman, Rosalyn Coleman, George Faison. Ananias Dixon, Chuck Cooper, Frank Bowman, Cassie Freeman, Zainab Jah, Lizan MItchell, Bridgit Evans, Marjorie Johnson, Perri Gaffney, Aimiende Negbenebor, Rodney Freeman, Leah Gardiner Molly Smith, Jackie Richardson, Cori Thomas, Bernadette Marie Scruggs, Pat Golden, Lynn Nottage, Bridgette A. Wimberly, Peter Lawson Jones, Terrence Spivey, Gretchen Cryer, Melissa Ethridge, Lenice Bozeman, Rose Dukes, Loretta Embry, Sabrina Heath, Denise Richmond-Kelley, Kim Martin Sadler, Cordi Stokes, DeVonna White, Cheryl Williams, Brenda Pressley, Roslyn Ruff, Gena Bardwell, and Linda Wood-Wims

Tickets are FREE!!! To RSVP email slawrence@cherrylanetheatre.org

Stories of love and rejection, triumphs and failures, and key moments on the path to self-acceptance. With the media’s relentless focus on what’s wrong with the modern black woman, readers will share key moments when they realized, as Zora Neale Hurston put it: “I have the nerve to walk my own way, however hard, in my search for reality, rather than climb upon the rattling wagon of wishful illusions.”

RSVP via Facebook

Hosted by Zora&Alice