Best Wishes to Honoree Jacquelyn Aluotto

Jacquelyn Aluotto with her Award Winning Documentary "Not in My Backyard"

Today, our Founder Jacquelyn Aluotto is being honored as a Network Influencer by The Boss Network, one of the 10 Best career websites for women according to Forbes magazine.  I am so sorry not to be able to attend the event and cheer for her in the audience.  But I will be listening to the interviews and be as proud as I can be of this unselfish and dedicated young woman who has inspired me to become involved in her very worthy endeavors.

Jacquelyn Aluotto is recognized throughout the United States as a powerful human activist, a filmmaker, and an expert on social issues in America. She has spoken on behalf of victims to congressional representatives and judges. She has appeared at political events, rallies, and on radio and television.  In telling her moving stories with passion, grit, and humanity, she has captured the hearts of real women and girls of several generations.

This website RealBeautyRealWomen.com showcases the poignant, award-winning documentary “Not in My Backyard.” The entire film currently be viewed online on and is soon to premiere in New York City at a star studded Red Carpet Event. With never before seen footage, this heartrending chronicle tells the touching stories of battered women and children in America, seeking refuge at underground shelters, so named because their location is hidden from the public to keep abusers at bay.

Jacquelyn Aluotto and Host George Ortiz.

If you have not seen it, you owe it to yourself to watch. These children are our future. These women are their caretakers.

Together we can do something for them.

“We are the real deal and that is why the media and the press are amazed by this,” Jacquelyn Aluotto has told me.  “I spent seven years in shelters filming and interviewing Real Women and I will continue to do so for the rest of my life. Shelters break the Cycle of Violence. Humanity is the most important thing in this world.

We all need to start living that way of life. I have obligations. I have made promises.  I help people who have no voices and are living in fear. Everyone told me it was impossible to film in underground shelters. I did. They also say it is impossible to change the world. It’s not.  Through RBRW we see lives changed every day!”

This dedication and leadership is inspiring real women everywhere to help or seek help.  Celebrities, media Events, models, hair and beauty experts and people from all lifestyles continue to join Real Beauty Real Women in our quest to change the world.

I Refuse to Be Discouraged

I refuse to be discouraged, to be sad or to cry; I refuse to be downhearted, and here’s the reason why: I have a God who’s mighty, who’s Sovereign and supreme; I have God who loves me, and I am on His team. He is all-wise and powerful. Jesus is His name; Though everything is changeable, My God remains the same.

My God knows ALL that’s happening; Beginning to the end; His presence is my comfort; He is my dearest Friend. When sickness comes to weaken me, to bring my head down low, I call upon my mighty God; Into His arms I go. When circumstances threaten to rob me of my peace; He draws me close unto His breast, where all my strivings cease. When my heart melts within me, and weakness takes control;  He gathers me into his arms, He soothes my heart and soul. The great “I AM” is with me. My life is in His hand. The “Son of the Lord” is my hope. It’s in His strength I stand. I refuse to be DEFEATED. My eyes are on my God; He has promised to be with me, as through this life I trod. I’m looking past all my circumstances, to Heaven’s throne above.

My prayers have reached the Heart of God, I’m RESTING in HIS LOVE. I give God thanks in everything. My eyes are on His face. The battle is His, the victory mine. he’ll help me WIN the race. I can do ALL things through Christ who STRENGTHENS ME!!!

Real Beauty Real Women on The Red Carpet at New Jersey Fashion Week

 

Jacqui Phillips Host of Real Beauty Real Women on The Red Carpet at NJ Fashion Week with Dina Manzo

I am Jacqui Phillips the host of Real Beauty Real Women www.realbeautyrealwomen.com (RBRW).  RBRW had the honor to attend and host on The Red Carpet at New Jersey Fashion Week. This was a star-studded event that represented New Jersey’s beauty, fashion and style as amongst the top in the world. The designers, artist and models were more than fabulous!  I must say this is the start of a elite new trend. New Jersey Fashion Week is the beginning of a fashion and beauty cult following.

I was so excited to interview many celebrities and athletes.  I would like to thank the following for joining me and RBRW on the Red carpet;  Caroline Manzo, Dina Manzo and Lauren Manzo from The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Anna Demidova from Dancing with the Stars, Celebrity stylist to the stars Amy Acton of Style Studio, NJ Devil Ken Daneyko the 3 time Stanley Cup winner and Toni Geiger the number 1 ranked Team USA Judo fighter and Olympic Gold Medal hopeful .  I also had the pleasure of interviewing the new young hip hop artist Giorgio GIGG Scalone.  Special thanks to the ever so fabulous creators of NJ Fashion Week Donella Tilery and Jack Panico.

New Jersey really represented and spoke for itself. The stars of the hit show Jerseylicious were there taping the reality show for the Style Network.  I had the pleasure of speaking with the beautiful Alexa Prisco, star of Jerseylicious and the owner of  The Glam Fairy.  She helped create the  beautiful makeup for the fabulous runway show.  Tracy DiMarco from Jerseylicious was on the Red Carpet looking styling as always!

I must say it is so refreshing to see the quality of New York Fashion Week spread throughout the country.  I was honored to be on The Red Carpet with my co-hosts of Real Beauty Real Women Linda Moran, David Frank Ray and George Ortiz.  We were all so ecstatic over the gorgeous looks and quality of work.  Great Job to everyone involved we can not wait to cover this next year!

We were most excited to talk to our executive producer Jacquelyn Alluotto about her documentary,  NOT IN MY BACKYARD from pick it up pictures. It was our pleasure to talk about the importance of this film and cause as it is in our hearts and souls.

Jacqui Phillips
Make-up Artist

Real Beauty Real Women and Celebrities Join Cause to Create Change

Posted  by Jacqui Phillips

On Sunday July 18, 2010 I had the honor and privilege of being part of a wonderful charitable event “World Peace Begins At Home”.   Many of my friends and clients attended and donated to this wonderful cause to save the voiceless victims of domestic violence and give them a voice!  I want to personally thank Strengthen Our Sisters, Celebrity Hairstylist Eric Alt and his team, Christy Chang from Healthy Tans, Hello Gorgeous Salon beautiful ladies, Alexa Prisco and her Glam Fairies, Olympic hopeful Toni Geiger,  ESPN host and the lovely Ashlee Ray, Sandra from Solo Dove PR, Pasquale Destro Management, Mary Brooks for Deploy America, Jacquelyne Joyah, Laura Koski from Doll Cosmetics, Danielle, Christine, and Jillian Staub, Lori Michaels,  The Style Network, Vuivision, and Jacquelyn and Rick Aluotto for donating their time and precious energy and talent to make this event happen.   If it was not for Jacquelyn Aluotto and the rest of these beautiful souls this event would never have happened.

This day was very special to me because our show Real Beauty Real Women is not only about beauty, celebrity, etc… but it is really about how do these women and men that we feature on the show feel about social issues.  Are they socially conscious?  What do they put their heart into for humanity? Doing this show has been so exciting to see the different dimensions of people.  Being a part of such a wonderful event where everyone pulled together as one to help create change for the better of humanity.

During this journey of being part of this event gives me a lot of gratitude because I realize I have been very lucky because I have such a loving and supportive family, a loving boyfriend, and loving friends.  It is so scary and upsetting to see how these women are just like you and me and yet the ones they loved turned violent and in many cases murderous.  It is hard to wrap your mind around because this has been such a taboo topic, hence why these people are voiceless victims, (until they meet Sandra Ramos that is at Strengthen Your Sisters).  I have had the privilege to hear their stories and why we must fight for these people and children is because of too many reasons to list.

Why is it OK for someone to harm you physically and emotionally, which in turn is a scar for life and they “the batterers “end up with everything and you have to leave everything you have and know?  Why are there not better laws to protect?  Why does everything get so disillusioned and sometimes corrupt when it comes to these cases?  We must fight hard for these people and children.  You may wonder why I keep saying people and not women, but men are victims as well we just don’t hear about it as much.  These people are teachers, nurses, mothers, sisters, daughters, sons, professors from all walks of life.  This is not a crime that chooses it happens to all walks of life.  So the next time you hear about someone in need of help.  Help them.  It can be as simple as going through your closet, giving $5 for food, giving some beauty supplies to a shelter you never have used.  Remember these people have given up everything for life!  So help them continue theirs.

Our local charity here is Strengthen Our Sisters founded by the Angel of Earth Sandra Ramos.  If you would like to educate yourself on this cause please watch the award-winning documentary that will change your life and outlook “Not In My Backyard” by Jacquelyn Aluotto.

Please stay tuned on Real Beauty Real Women for more exciting events to take place.

Love and Blessings,

Jacqui Phillips
Make-up Artist
President
Jacqui Phillips Cosmetics

Another “Truth” About Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence

Many of us are aware of the devastating impact domestic violence has on women and children physically, emotionally, financially, socially, spiritually and psychologically. But I wonder how many people realize that child sexual abuse increases the risk of adult victimization. Did you know:

Experts estimate that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday; 1 in 5 children are sexually solicited while on the Internet; Nearly 70% of reported sexual assaults occur to children ages 17 and under;  The median age for reported sexual abuse is 9 years old; Approximately 20% of the victims of sexual abuse are under age eight; 50% of all victims of forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, and forcible fondling are under age twelve;  Most victims never report the abuse; Sexually abused children who keep it a secret or who “tell” and are not believed are at greater risk than the general population for psychological, emotional, social, and physical problems, often lasting into ADULTHOOD.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence women who are abused as children are LIKELY to become VICTIMS of abuse as adults. I believe that if we can help reduce the risk of child sexual abuse, we can break the cycle of domestic violence before it even starts.

How do we do this?

Step 1. Learn the facts. Understand the risks. Realities- not-trusts-should influence your decisions regarding children. In more that 90% of child sexual abuse cases the child and the child’s family know and trust the abuser.

Step 2. Minimize opportunity. If you eliminate or reduce one-adult /one-child situations, you’ll dramatically lower the risk of sexual abuse for children.

Step 3. Talk about it. Children often keep abuse secret, but barriers can be broken down by talking openly about it.

Step 4. Stay alert. Don’t expect obvious signs when a child is being sexually abuses.

Step 5. Make a plan. Learn where to go, whom to call and how to react.

Step 6. Act on suspicions. The future well-being of a child is at stake.

Step 7. Get involved. Volunteer and financially support organizations that fight the tragedy of child sexual abuse.

As an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse,  rape and domestic violence I am passionate about this issue and making a difference in the lives of children and women who have experienced abuse.

I also realize that my childhood victimization is the “root cause” of why I became a victim again and again. Due to fear these traumatic events became my “childhood secret” for over 20 years. After suffering in silence, I eventually hit rock bottom. How could I not? For over 20 years I carried the burdens of feeling dirty, distant and ashamed.  I was broken in mind, body and spirit. I wore a  “mask” but I was slowly dying on the inside.

I struggled with anger, depression, anxiety, self-hatred, low self-esteem, addiction , dysfunctional relationships and suicidal attempts.  I was tormented day in and day out. But one day I came to the end of myself to find myself. I cried out for deliverance to the only One who could save me from a  broken spirit and heal my wounded soul.  My Creator came to my rescue. He brought me from a place of shame to a place of grace. From being a victim to a victor. He lifted me out of a bottomless pit of darkness when I could not lift myself.  He loved me when I did not love myself.  He healed me, when I could not heal myself. He gave me a passion and a purpose to stand in the gap for innocent children.

Children have a right to grow up healthy, happy and whole. Proverbs 21.13 tells us, “To meet the needs of the poor and protect their rights”- it doesn’t matter what the income level of an innocent child is, they need you and I to stand in the gap for them. If we don’t stand for safety, protection, righteousness and justice we will fall for anything.

Today my organization Crossroad Women and Family Services, Inc. is a non-profit charitable child protection and child sexual abuse prevention training organization whose mission is to engage adults and communities in the movement to end child sexual abuse.

For more information visit www.crossroadwomenfamily.org, I am always looking to establish partnerships with individuals or groups passionate about protecting the innocence of children and ending the cycle of domestic violence before is starts through prevention education.

Perhaps you are looking for an empowerment speaker for your next event. If  so, please feel free to reach me by email pwright@crossroadwomenfamily.org or phone (910) 234-3092. If there is a tugging at your heart to support the cause please consider sending a donation to Crossroad Women and Family Services, Inc. P.O. Box 1781, Whiteville, North Carolina 28472.

 

Thank you in advance for your prayers and support!

True Greatness

Sir Lawrence Olivier Image via Wikipedia

The great never think themselves great.  They are humble and therein lies their greatness.  It takes a lot of spirit and soul to be humble, and yet a leader.

The greatest  modern actor of all times, Sir Lawrence Olivier, used to throw up before he went onstage.  But once he got out there he was magnificent.  He never thought of himself as magnificent all the way.  Part of him saw the genius in himself and part of him thought “Who am I trying to kid?” Everyone is like that to an extent.

In French they have a word: “snob.”  We use it in English as a person who looks down on people, is rude, puffed up and self-important.  In French “snob” stands for “sans nobilite’ (without nobility)

A truly noble soul, a gentlemanly soul, is respectful of every one, rich or poor, old or young.

Another French phrase nobless oblige means “nobility obliges”.  By nobility, I do not mean being born a Princess or a Duke.  I mean a nobility of spirit as I know you understand. True nobility goes beyond time. Grace and forgiveness are eternal.  Faith and Hope are gifts that we can all enjoy to help each other, not divided into sects and philosophies, but as human beings.

Not In My Backyard

Not In My Backyard by Jacquelyn Aluotto

“Not In My Backyard” is a documentary about battered women and homeless children in America.  It really shows how we live in an unjust and antiquated world where old out of date laws never change, and people with closed viewpoints from the past remain to this very day.

Jacquelyn Aluotto: I first started this film for the purpose to raise needed money for the victims of domestic violence, money that could be used to help break the cycle of violence they are stuck in and provide a safe haven for them as well.  Shelters everywhere are closing down due to government cutbacks and something needs to be done.

The average homeless child in America is nine years old, and over four women are murdered each and everyday due to domestic violence. Fifty percent of all homeless people are children and women, most fleeing abuse and trying to start a new life.

You have to ask yourself what is happening to this country, and this is exactly what I did in my film. I posed this question in different ways through statistics, raw footage, interviews, archival footage, and taped statements. There is an epidemic that has been brewing in this country for years and it affects people we all know daily. I have seen this epidemic with my own eyes and through the lens of my camera for six years.

For those six years I created different relationships with many different victims, social workers, directors, advocates, lawyers, judges, and caring individuals who are all involved personally or professionally in the cause for domestic violence.

I feel honored to have met and befriended many of these individuals and I know their stories will really touch everyone who views the documentary. My hope is this film will inspire others and make people aware of what is going on around them. I want people to be shocked into action by what they see, I want them to question the laws and decisions created by our government and our society. I want them to stand up and do something about this huge problem that is affecting millions of people. I want people to care.

This is why I created this film. This is why I have no investors so these safe havens will get as much money as possible to stay up and running. We as a society and government ignore what is going on in our own yards. The film is getting a great response. I have obligations. I gave people my word that have no voices and are living in fear, that I would help them.

Everyone told me it was impossible to film in underground shelters. I did. They also say it’s impossible to change the world. It’s not. I see people helping people and changing lives every day.

Read more: http://www.myspace.com/pickituppictures#ixzz141kVg85I

Jacquelyn Alutto, “one of the worlds most influential women”

Real Beauty Real Women, Founder, Jacquelyn Alutto is to be honored at the Boss Network's Event on Wednesday, November 10th in New York City.

The Boss Network is one of Forbes “10  Best Career Sites For Women.”  The six-day national tour is to be “inspired by influencers and raise awareness of HIV/AIDS among women. The “Influencers” series highlights some of the world’s most influential women in their respective fields who have made a difference in and outside their communities.