Philanthropic Works
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"Michele Spitz is a philanthropist whose focus is advocacy for equal access to arts and education. It is with the passion of an artist, the generosity of a philanthropist, and the spirit of joy that she enriches lives and embraces the world by inclusion."
Woman of Her Word has sponsored and voiced the audio description for select films for the 2014-2017 Superfest: SF International Disability Film Festival, as well for the 2015-2018 ReelAbilities: NY International Disability Film Festival. Additionally, Michele continues to sponsor and voice audio description for select media projects, such as Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.
Film Sponsorship
Woman of Her Word initiated the first British Academy of Film and Television Arts New York (BAFTA) Media Studies Scholarship for a graduate student with a disability at Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema for both 2016 and 2017. Michele also initiated the first grant to sponsor and voice audio description for the New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT) annual MUSE Award disability film recipient for 2015, 2016
and 2017.
Grants
Underwriting
Outreach Tickets
Woman of Her Word develops and implements ticket outreach programs, underwriting patron attendance tickets annually for the performing, visual and cultural arts world. These programs serve disabled, senior, veteran and other underserved communities. She is a supporter of SFJAZZ, JCCSF Arts & Ideas, Osher Marin JCC Senior Excursions, LightHouse for the Blind and Helen Keller Services for the Blind.
Underwriting
Performing Arts
Woman of Her Word believes in the power of art behind the stage, as well as on the stage. Michele is a supporter of No Limits for Deaf Children, The Miracle Project, Actors for Autism, Axis Dance and Meet the Biz; organizations that enable natural integration of life and disability through theatrical performance.
Assistive Technology
Woman of Her Word funds assistive audience technology to facilitate equality of experience. She has supported this technology for Deaf West Theater performances at the Wallis Annenberg Center, and for the Superfest Film Festival for multiple years.
Woman of Her Word supports
That Man May See, a UCSF medical program dedicated to understanding the causes and mechanisms of eye diseases, with the goals of slowing, halting, and preventing deterioration of sight.