LA Sparks, Girls Inc. unite powerful women to empower girls

On Monday, November 17, six of the most powerful women in television, philanthropy and sports were honored for their achievements in harnessing the media and entertainment to show girls a world without limits. They also seek to counter gender stereotypes, and create positive, empower messages.

The event was hosted by Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson at The Beverly Hills Hotel and supports Girls Incorporated, a nonprofit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold.

Apparently the event was a success – with over 300 people in attendance.

The women honored include:

- Carla Christofferson and Kathy Goodman, Owners, Los Angeles Sparks
- Brenda Freeman, Chief Marketing Officer, Turner Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media
- Lisa Ling, Special Correspondent to The Oprah Winfrey Show, Contributor to National Geographic, Nightline, and CNN
- Lisa C. Paulsen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Entertainment Industry Foundation
- Katherine Pope, President, Universal Media Studios

Cheryl Messer, Media Relations Manager of Girls Inc. passed the following information along (as well as the pictures included in this post):

As owners of the Los Angeles Sparks, Christofferson and Goodman exemplify the mission of Girls Inc. They had been season ticket holders of the Los Angeles Sparks since its inception, and transformed their love of basketball into a business venture when they purchased the team in 2006.

Christofferson is Managing Partner of the Los Angeles office of O’Melveny & Myers LLP and has been recognized as a Southern California “Super Lawyer” in a survey by Law & Politics Media Inc. Goodman currently teaches high school English and Social Studies at High Tech-LA, a local charter school. Previously, she served as a partner at the law firm of Katten Muchin Zavis and Weitzman and was a founder of Intermedia Films.

During her acceptance speech, Goodman said, “Girls now have role models in the sports community in professional sports. And for Carla and me, it’s more about what they do on the court and what all the men and women do in our front office to put that vision out there, so that both girls and boys see what it is that women can do in society.”

“I find Kathy and Carla especially inspiring because I learned in Girls Inc. that girls are just as good as the boys, and everyone should get their fair chance to participate. By showcasing the incredible players on their team in a positive way, they have made these athletes role models for young women like me everywhere,” said Brittany White, Girls Inc. National Scholar and presenter of the award to Christofferson and Goodman.