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Time's Up Initiative: 12 A-Listers Spearheading Push Against Sexual Misconduct on the Job

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By    |   Tuesday, 02 January 2018 09:44 AM EST

Hollywood A-listers are among more than 300 prominent women in the entertainment industry joining forces to launch the Time’s Up initiative to protect women facing sexual harassment or gender inequality in the workplace in all industries.

The project was unveiled on Monday and, according to The Wrap, features a hefty legal defense fund being accumulated largely through donations from other affluent women who want to provide protection to less advantaged women who may find themselves in vulnerable situations after reporting incidents of sexual misconduct.

The original concept started with four female CAA agents: Maha Dakhil, Michelle Kydd Lee, Hylda Queally and Christy Haubegger, Variety noted, and the campaign has expanded dramatically to include the support of over 300 women.

The leaderless group plans to lobby for stricter legislation over companies that tolerate persistent harassment, while an additional group – 5050by2020 – is campaigning for 50-50 gender parity in executive positions, The Wrap noted.

Here is a list of some notable names driving Time’s Up.

1. Shonda Rhimes – The executive producer of the television series “Grey’s Anatomy” has been closely involved with the group driving Time’s Up.

She explained that it was hard for women in the workplace to “speak righteously about the rest of anything if we haven’t cleaned our own house,” The New York Times reported.

“If this group of women can’t fight for a model for other women who don’t have as much power and privilege, then who can?” she said.

2. Ashley Judd – The actress was one of the first women to speak up against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, resulting in dozens of other women coming forward accusing him of sexual assault, People magazine noted.

She has since been campaigning against sexual assault, with Time’s Up being the latest of her endeavors.

3. Eva Longoria – The former “Desperate Housewives” actress has long since been known as an activist and philanthropist passionate about migrant workers and education among Latinos, the Los Angeles Times said.

She has now joined the fight for women’s rights by adding her name to the group behind Time’s Up.

4. America Ferrera – The Huffington Post previously reported that actress America Ferrera wanted to “change the way Americans view activism” by turning “many citizens’ interest in various social justice issues into action.”

She has now broadened her scope to focus on protecting vulnerable women in the workplace.

5. Natalie Portman – Like many actresses, Natalie Portman has experienced discrimination in the workplace, and is using that to fuel her involvement with Time’s Up.

“I’ve had discrimination or harassment on almost everything I’ve ever worked on in some way,” she said, according to Vulture.

6. Rashida Jones – The “Parks and Recreation” actress recently drew attention after her departure from “Toy Story 4” sparked rumors of sexual harassment, which she has since dismissed, Marie Claire noted.

Despite this, the actress revealed her involvement in the Time’s Up campaign.

7. Emma Stone – This is not the first time the “Battle of the Sexes” actress is speaking up for the silent victims of abuse.

Stone previously said, “We have to recognize that there are so many who haven't told their stories yet, who aren't comfortable to share,” according to Bustle.

8. Kerry Washington – The actress and producer’s name has been linked with campaigns against sexual harassment, with Washington even speaking on a panel at Tina Brown's Women in the World Summit in New York City about how conversations on sexual harassment have been altered by Anita Hall, Elite Daily said.

9. Reese Witherspoon – Earlier this year Reese Witherspoon revealed how she had endured several instances of sexual harassment and assault during her career, Deadline noted. Her previous experiences, which included an assault by a male director when she was 16-years-old, is what has driven her to support Time’s Up.

10. Jill Soloway – The “Transparent” showrunner joins the campaign not long after accusations of sexual misconduct emerged against the show’s star, Jeffrey Tambor, Deadline said.

11. Donna Langley – As chairwoman of Universal Pictures, Donna Langley gives weight to the Time’s Up campaign.

12. Selena Gomes – Having recently won the Billboard's Woman of the Year, the young actress has made a point to speak about women’s equality.

"I’ve never felt this proud to be a woman in the industry than I do today," said Gomes, per Elle." And that’s because I actually feel comfortable with every single women that has encouraged me about how crucial it is that the voices that are being heard for the first time is so great.”

While a number of women are spearheading the Time’s Up initiative, other celebrities are showing their support by donating to the defense fund, which is accepting donations via a GoFundMe campaign.

Well known contributors, according to The Hollywood Reporter, include Ava DuVernay, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Amy Poehler, Taylor Swift and Jessica Chastain.

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TheWire
Hollywood A-listers are among more than 300 prominent women in the entertainment industry joining forces to launch the Time’s Up initiative to protect women facing sexual harassment or gender inequality in the workplace in all industries.
times up, initiative, 12 a-listers
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2018-44-02
Tuesday, 02 January 2018 09:44 AM
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