Philanthropic Works
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"Michele Spitz is a philanthropist whose focus is advocacy for equal access to arts, culture 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."
Film & Museum Sponsorships
Woman of Her Word has provided audio description grants for a significant percentage of the 100+ films that she has audio described with the explicit intention to raise digital media and film accessibility awareness. Michele has sponsored and produced audio description for the 2014-2017 Superfest International Disability Film Festival, 2019 Deaf Film Camp, 2018 ReelAbilities International LA Film Festival and the 2014-2024 ReelAbilities International NY Film Festival. Michele also sponsors and produces audio described content for multiple media and cultural projects such as the 2020-2024 Media Access Awards and the 2018 "The Senses" exhibit for the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.
Woman of Her Word initiated the first British Academy
of Film and Television Arts New York (BAFTA) 2016-2019 Feirstein Scholarships for graduate film students with disabilities. She instated ACB Audio Description Institute's Disability Tuition Scholarships for 2020-2023. Michele initiated the first Audio Description Grant for New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT) disability subject based film recipients 2015-2024, 2018 documentary film recipient and Women in Film (WIF) 2019 first AD/CC Film Finishing Grant. She participated as an AD grant provider for the 2023-2024 ReelAbilities NY Crip Script Pitch. Michele launched Tribeca Film Festival Woman of Her Word Audio Description Film Grants 2023-2024.
Media Grants & Scholarships
Underwriting
Outreach Tickets
Woman of Her Word develops, initiates and implements unique ticket outreach programs, underwriting patron attendance tickets annually
for varied performing, visual and cultural arts platforms and venues. These programs serve multiple communities including but not limited
to senior, veteran, and disabled patrons. She
is a supporter of SFJAZZ, JCCSF Arts & Ideas,
the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, Osher
Marin JCC Senior Excursions, Lighthouse for
the Blind and Visually Impaired, and Helen Keller Services for the Blind.
Underwriting
Performing Arts
Woman of Her Word believes in the power of
art behind the stage, on the stage and as a patron of the arts. Michele is a supporter of aspiring talent of individuals participating in programs such as Broadway Dreams, The Miracle Project, Actors for Autism, and Meet the Biz. These organizations enable natural integration of life and disability through theatrical and on-screen performances. Michele is always
researching future programs for consideration.
Woman of Her Word funds assistive audience technology to facilitate equality of experience. She
has supported CC and AD technology for Deaf West Theater performances at the Wallis Annenberg
Center, Superfest Film Festivals, Broadway Dreams and Positive Exposure 109.
Assistive Technology
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Woman of Her Word is researching opportunities to
align therapeutic recreation with a designated hospital and entertainment organization to support outpatient outings. Michele supported UCSF, That Man May See; dedicated to comprehensive research and treatment
of eye disease.