Gutsy Gals Inspire Me (GGIM) was created by Deborah Hutchison in 2008 to inspire girls and women to be courageous, clear, confident, and to "drive their destinies" by pursuing their dreams. The company works toward this by recognizing and promoting inspirational female role models and their stories through award programs, conference panels, “Hollywood style” animated educational films and teaching/activity guides, a line of GGIM note cards, and other merchandise including family and friend agreements.
| Industry | Entertainment Education |
|---|---|
| Founded | Santa Barbara, California (2008) |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | Deborah Hutchison (Founder & CEO) Christina Holbrook, COO/VP Sales & Marketing Helen Arnold, CAO Maria Lopez, Social Media Director Brenna Osborn, Designer |
| Website | www |
Gutsy Gal Awards
editGGIM recognizes and honors courageous and visionary girls/women by awarding them with an original “Gutsy Gal” Award. To date, awards have been distributed at women's conferences, Girls Inc., and to individuals privately. Awards are scheduled to be delivered at the upcoming Berkshire Women's Writers Festival[1] and Palm Beach International Film Gala.[2]
In 2009, the first Gutsy Gal Award was presented to a group of young girls from the Santa Barbara Chapter of Girls, Inc. The first women's award was presented to visionary publisher and philanthropist, Sara Miller-McCune, at the 2010 International Women's Festivals in Santa Barbara, CA.[3] Additional award recipients at the Women's Festivals have included:
- media consultant, entrepreneur and women's advocate, Mary Schnack (2011)[4]
- business woman and entrepreneur, Kathy Ireland (2012)[5]
- artist and consultant, Judi Weisbart, and speaker, Laurie Polich-Short (2013)[6]
- model, actress and children's advocate Kelly Le Brock (2014)[7]
- humanitarians Deepa Willingham, Lee Langley, and Razia Jan (2014)[8]
To draw attention to female film writers and directors, GGIM is presenting the first Gutsy Gal Filmmaker Award at the Berkshire Festival of Women Writers in March, 2015 at Bard College at Simon's Rock.
Films
editThe Improbable Journey of Berta Benz[9] is a 15-minute, independently produced, animated short film about Berta Benz, wife of Karl Benz (founder of Mercedes-Benz), and her remarkable journey in 1888. Accompanying the film is a 48-page teaching guide filled with fun and educational activities based on the STEM curriculum. It is the first in a series of GGIM produced films.
In 2013, the film won "Best of Fest"[10] for an animation short from the Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival, as well as the Myra P. Sadker and Breaking Traditions awards from the Career and Technical Education Equity Council (CTEEC).[11]
Family and Friend Agreements
editIn 2009, Sterling Publishing, a division of Barnes & Noble released founder, Deborah Hutchison's, self-help book Put It In Writing! Creating Agreements Between Family and Friends, which was co-written by the star of FOX's Divorce Court, Judge Lynn Toler.[12][13] The book offers family and friend agreements that address potentially contentious situations like adult children moving back home, caring for aging parents, relationships, lending money, amongst others. In 2010, through GGIM and sister company, A Sane Approach to an Emotional Issue, the family and friend agreements were made available for purchase online.
Merchandise
editGGIM has created a line of merchandise including note cards, posters, and apparel accessories to further the "gutsy" message.
References
edit- ^ "Submissions Now Welcome for 2015 Film Award". Berkshire Festival of Women Writers.
- ^ "Palm Beach International Film Festival". Archived from the original on 2014-10-14. Retrieved 2014-09-23.
- ^ "Women Unite in Santa Barbara". PR Newswire.
- ^ "2011 GUTSY GALS INSPIRE ME AWARD will be presented to MARY SCHNACK at WOMEN'S FESTIVAL". Pitch Engine.
- ^ "International Women's Festivals in Santa Barbara to Honor Kathy Ireland". Noozhawk. January 18, 2012.
- ^ Casillas, Jeanette (2013-02-15). "Gutsy Gals Honored". Casa Magazine.
- ^ "Meet the 2014 Gutsy Gals Inspire Me! Award Nominees". Women's Festivals.
- ^ "Award Honorees". Gutsy Gals Inspire Me.
- ^ "Improbable Journey on IMDb".
- ^ "2013 LAWIFF Best of Fest". Alliance of Women Filmmakers.
- ^ "Local Independent Producer Wins Award". Santa Barbara Independent. 2012-12-12.
- ^ Schoenberg, Nara (November 29, 2009). "Creating a contract with family and friends". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Colasurdo, Nancy (October 26, 2011). "Family and Friend Agreements: Awkward or Smart?". Fox Business. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2014-09-23.
External links
edit- Gutsy Gals Inspire Me
- Gutsy Gal Awards
- International Women's Festivals
- The Improbable Journey of Berta Benz (film)
- Put It In Writing! Creating Agreements Between Family and Friends ISBN 9781402776359
- A Sane Approach to an Emotional Issue