Joyful Noise: Telling Amy's Story

During the premiere, Mariska welcomed those in attendance and offered some sobering words:

“In the time it will take us to participate in this event, over 700 women will be battered somewhere in the United States. Into that tragic reality comes Telling Amy’s Story, a brave and important tool in acknowledging the truth about domestic violence, embracing survivors and insisting on change. As part of a public service media project, the film brings together the power and reach of public broadcasting with the engine of local engage- ment. Telling Amy’s Story has the power to heal, to educate and—most importantly—to save lives.”

Acknowledging Verizon’s leadership on this issue, Mariska said, “I especially want to honor the courage and commitment of the Verizon Foundation for being one of the first companies to take a stand on this issue, and for making this film and this evening possible.” In the past four years, the foundation has given over $21 million to non-profits assisting survivors of domestic violence.

Joyful Heart Board Member Peter Hermann hosted the event in DC, while Meredith Vieira, co-host of the Today show, emceed the New York City premiere. The events drew a number of distinguished guests from both the public and private sectors, including Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli; Lynn Rosenthal, the first-ever White House Advisor on Violence Against Women; Jim Gerace, Verizon Communications president – New York region; Bill McComb, CEO of Liz Claiborne; and Sue Else, President of the National Network to End Domestic Violence.

Following the film presentation in Washington, Rose Kirk of the Verizon Foundation moderated a panel discussion with Sheryl Cates; Melanie Doebler, Director of Public Engagement, Penn State Public Broadcasting; Detective Deirdri Fishel, Police Department of State College, PA; and Joe Myers, Creative Director, Penn State Public Broadcasting and the film’s producer/director.

In New York, the question and answer session featured experts on domestic violence, including Detective Deirdri Fishel; Kim Wells, Executive Director of the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence; Commissioner Yolanda Jimenez of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence in New York City; Melanie Doebler; Martha Delehanty, a Senior Vice President at Verizon; and Linda Fairstein, author and former prosecutor, who is also the Vice-Chair of the Joyful Heart Foundation Board of Directors.

Since its premiere, Telling Amy’s Story has aired on more than 300 local public televisions stations, in 47 of the top 50 markets in the United States, covering 85% of the population. It is estimated that over 14.5 million people have viewed this important documentary.