Gloria Estefan and Paulina Chávez Raise Awareness on Gender-Based Violence with New PSA
October 15, 2024
Latina stars join gender-based violence advocacy groups Esperanza United and the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) to promote WomensLaw Email Hotline
CONTACT: Danielle Nigam, DNigam@EsperanzaUnited.org, 651-646-5553
Grammy-award winning artist and activist Gloria Estefan and actor and philanthropist Paulina Chávez teamed up with leading gender-based violence advocacy organizations, Esperanza United and the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), to raise awareness about their recently expanded resource, the WomensLaw Email Hotline. To do so, Estefan and Chávez both lent their voice to a new PSA, entitled “Between Amigas: Introducing the WomensLaw Email Hotline.”
The animated video demonstrates how to support someone experiencing abuse, specifically encouraging survivors to access free legal services via the WomensLaw Email Hotline. Thanks to funding from the Office for Victims of Crime, the Office of Justice Programs, and the U.S. Department of Justice, NNEDV and Esperanza United are partnering on the Reimagining Enhanced Access and Capacity of the Hotline (REACH) Project. Together, they are enhancing and expanding the capacity of the WomensLaw Email Hotline, which provides free, confidential legal information and support in both English and Spanish for victims and survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; their advocates; and their loved ones. This PSA is the culmination of the REACH outreach efforts.
Gender-based violence remains a prevalent issue in the U.S. and worldwide. According to the CDC, one in four women and one in seven men will experience physical violence by their intimate partner at some point during their lifetimes. Additionally, studies show that marginalized communities, including Latinas, experience gender-based violence at disproportionately higher rates.
“As someone who is a fierce advocate against gender-based violence, this cause is very personal to me, and I am proud to be helping Latinas get the help they need and to be supporting the important work of Esperanza United and NNEDV,” shared Gloria Estefan.
“As an advocate for my Latino community, I know that culture, race, and language shape our experiences,” said Paulina Chávez. “By sharing NNEDV and Esperanza United’s resources, like the WomensLaw Email Hotline, we can help guide people through a complex legal system, people who otherwise may feel isolated or unsure of their options.”
“We thank Gloria Estefan and Paulina Chávez for their leadership and dedication to raising awareness about gender-based violence,” stated Patti Tototzintle, President and CEO of Esperanza United. “Community-driven work and Latina leadership is at the heart of what we do. Resources like the WomensLaw Email Hotline support Latinas by offering reliable information in English and Spanish so they can choose the best options for themselves.”
“Having U.S.-based legal information readily available and getting your questions reviewed by an attorney anonymously can be a lifeline for survivors,” stated NNEDV CEO & President Stephanie Love-Patterson. “This is particularly important for further marginalized groups like Latina survivors and we are proud to share this video, alongside Gloria Estefan, Paulina Chávez, and Esperanza United.”
Find out more about the REACH project and partners here.
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About Esperanza United
Esperanza United mobilizes Latinas and Latin@ communities to end gender-based violence. Formerly Casa de Esperanza, Esperanza United was founded in 1982 by a small group of persevering Latinas as an emergency shelter in St. Paul, Minnesota. Since then, they have grown into the largest national organization mobilizing Latin@s to end gender-based violence. Their work is rooted in their belief in the strength of Latin@s within the context of family and community. Please visit EsperanzaUnited.org for more information on how to get involved.
About NNEDV
The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) represents the 56 state and U.S. territorial coalitions against domestic violence. NNEDV is a social change organization working to create a social, political, and economic environment in which domestic violence no longer exists. NNEDV works to make domestic violence a national priority, change the way society responds to domestic violence, and strengthen domestic violence advocacy at every level. Please visit NNEDV.org for more information on how to get involved.
About Gloria Estefan
International superstar, Gloria Estefan, is a Grammy award-winning singer, actress, songwriter, author of two New York Times best-selling children’s books, philanthropist, and humanitarian. She is considered one of the world’s most recognizable and beloved performers and the most successful Latin crossover artist in music history, per Billboard Magazine. Having sold over 100 million records worldwide, Estefan has garnered eight Grammy Awards and an Oscar nomination for her performance of the song “Music Of My Heart.” She has received an American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, and was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2015, President Obama honored Emilio & Gloria Estefan with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made meritorious contributions to the United States, world peace, and cultural endeavors. In 2017, Gloria was the first Cuban-American singer-songwriter to receive The Kennedy Center Honors.
About Paulina Chávez
Paulina Chávez is best known for her breakthrough leading role as the titular ‘Ashley Garcia’, the world’s first and only 15-year-old robotics engineer and rocket scientist, in Netflix’s “The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia” and recently starred as the series regular ‘Flora’ in Netflix’s sci-fi/fantasy series “Fate: The Winx Saga.” A rising star in both film and television, her film THE LONG GAME recently premiered at the SXSW Film Festival and is currently streaming on Netflix. She is next set to star opposite Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore in Taylor Sheridan’s highly anticipated drama series “Landman” which premieres on Paramount+ on November 17. Additionally, she is set to star opposite Eva Longoria and Cheech Marin in the Disney+ live-action feature film ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD ROAD TRIP.