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Harper Lee Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kelly Griffin (205) 328-9334

Harper Lee to Accept Birmingham Pledge Award at Alys Stephens Center
Birmingham, Ala. August 23, 2006 — The Birmingham Pledge Foundation today announced that a limited number of reserved seats to the 2006 Birmingham Pledge Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony will go on sale today, Wednesday, August 23. The event will honor Nelle Harper Lee, author of the American literary classic, To Kill a Mockingbird. Ticket prices are $50, $35 and $25.
The event will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13, at the Alys Stephens Center in Birmingham and will feature Alabama historian and social activist Dr. Wayne Flynt, whose research interests have encompassed political history, poverty and religion in the South. Flynt, Professor Emeritus at Auburn University, is the author of 11 books, including the Pulitzer Prize-nominated Poor but Proud: Alabama’s Poor Whites.
Organized by the Birmingham Pledge Foundation, Birmingham Pledge Week draws its leaders and participants from across local business, youth, and faith communities. Co-chairs of 2006 Birmingham Pledge Week are Ms. Cathy O. Friedman, City Paper Company and community volunteer, and the Honorable Houston Brown, Circuit Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit, Birmingham.
James E. Rotch, Chairman of the Birmingham Pledge Foundation, will offer opening remarks and present the award to Ms. Lee.
In addition, the event will highlight the Birmingham Pledge Teen Conference that brings together more than 100 young people from thirty high schools in the Birmingham area for a full day of workshops and discussion on current issues of race and world affairs.
The public may order tickets by calling the Alys Stephens Center at (205) 975-ARTS or toll-free at 1-877-ART- TIKS. Tickets may also be purchased by faxing the Alys Stephens Center at (205) 975-2829 or visiting www.alysstephens.org.
About the Birmingham Pledge:
The Birmingham Pledge Foundation is a grassroots, non-profit initiative that promotes the Birmingham Pledge as an individual commitment to eliminate racial and cultural prejudice. James E. Rotch, a Birmingham attorney, authored the Birmingham Pledge in 1997 as a personal commitment to recognize the importance of every individual, regardless of race or color. Since its inception, tens of thousands of people throughout the world have signed this personal commitment.
For further information about the Birmingham Pledge, Birmingham Pledge Week and the Teen Conference please call 205-254-3022 or visit www.birminghampledge.org.

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- Kelly Griffin (08/24/2006)

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“To Kill A Mockingbird” Author Harper Lee to Receive the Birmingham Pledge Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award

Birmingham, AL, August 9, 2006----The Birmingham Pledge Foundation today announced that it will present its 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award to Nelle Harper Lee, author of the American literary classic, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Ms. Lee, a native of Monroeville, Alabama, will receive the award in Birmingham during the 8th annual Birmingham Pledge Week, September 11-17.

“Ms. Lee called to let us know she would accept the award,” said Jim Rotch, Chairman of the Birmingham Pledge Foundation. “To Kill a Mockingbird” was the biggest selling novel of the 20th Century. The life lessons of tolerance and acceptance that she taught us in the book speak clearly to the basic principles of The Birmingham Pledge. We are tremendously proud and excited that she is honoring her native state and the Birmingham community in this way. In doing so she is demonstrating her support for the Birmingham Pledge effort to eliminate racism all over the world one person at a time. I cannot think of a more appropriate or deserving recipient.”

“During Birmingham Pledge Week, our primary focus will be youth,” said Kitty Terry, Executive Director of the Birmingham Pledge Foundation. “Our goal is to use our Teen Conference as a catalyst to launch a major initiative directed at our country’s young people. Ms. Lee’s book has spoken to generations of young people about the difficult issue of race. It has had a profound impact on the lives of many, and continues to make the world a better place for all. We’re truly honored that she will accept the award.”

Co-chairs of 2006 Birmingham Pledge Week are Ms. Cathy O. Friedman, City Paper Company, Birmingham, and the Honorable Houston Brown, Circuit Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit, Birmingham.

About the Birmingham Pledge:

The Birmingham Pledge Foundation is a grassroots, non-profit initiative that promotes an individual commitment to eliminate racial and cultural prejudice. Begun in Birmingham, Alabama in 1998, the Birmingham Pledge Movement has resulted in commitments from more than 100,000 world citizens who believe that every person is entitled to dignity and respect and has inherent worth as an individual.

For further information about the Birmingham Pledge, Birmingham Pledge Week and the Teen Conference please call 205-254-3022 or visit www.birminghampledge.org.

- Panorama Public Relations (08/20/2006)

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Birmingham, AL -- April 19, 2006

The Birmingham Pledge Foundation today announced the appointment of Kitty Terry as Executive Director for the Birmingham Pledge.

Terry has more than 11 years experience in strategic policy development for government agencies and nonprofit organizations serving children, youth and families. She is committed to bring positive change through action to Birmingham and the nation through her work with the Birmingham Pledge Foundation.

Birmingham Pledge Foundation Chairman and founder James E. (Jim) Rotch remarked, “Kitty has extensive experience in strategic planning including the design, development and implementation of programs and the creation of alliances and partnerships. I am confident she will guide us through an objective assessment of our work to this point from a programmatic prospective and help us to focus on the identification and procurement of sustainable financial support for future efforts.”

Terry brings a wealth of public service and consulting experience to the Birmingham Pledge Foundation including:

• Researched, developed and put into operation the Alabama Elder Justice Project, a nonprofit organization providing legal and social services to the state’s oldest citizens through law and divinity school student internships.
• Studied and developed a strategic plan to dramatically restructure Alabama’s publicly funded systems that serve families and children. Providing research, policy and strategic alliance development for Alabama’s Children First Foundation and the Corporate Foundation for Children.
• Program research and development for the Alabama Department of Human Resources, the Alabama Department of Youth Services and South Alabama’s Boys and Girls Club.
• Identified and secured private, state and federal funding for the Alabama Partnership for Children and the Corporate Foundation for Children.

Terry recently served as the interim director for the Alabama Partnership for Children and was the Executive Director for the Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama.

She has also been appointed to The National Advisory Committee for Access to Respite Care, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and The National Alliance of Child Abuse Prevention Board, among others.

Terry received her Masters Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida.


The Birmingham Pledge Foundation is a grassroots, non-profit initiative
that promotes an individual commitment to eliminate racial and cultural prejudice. Begun in Birmingham, Alabama in 1998, the Birmingham Pledge has received commitments from more than 100,000 world citizens who believe every person is entitled to dignity and respect and has inherent worth as an individual.


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- The Birmingham Pledge (07/13/2006)

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