Jill Scott shows that “Music Matters”

Benefit concert to end violence a “great success”

(June 8) Jill Scott moved a crowd of more than 2,800 people to their feet at Thursday night’s “Music Matters Concert: Singers and Songwriters Unite Against Violence,” a benefit show for Chicago Foundation for Women’s “What Will It Take?” anti-violence initiative.

 “Jill Scott was not only a magnificent performer, but she was able to fill the Auditorium Theatre to help prevent violence against women and girls.” said Hannah Rosenthal, executive director of Chicago Foundation for Women. “The concert was a great success.”

 Scott spoke to the crowd between songs about the importance of ending violence against women. She shared a personal story: “I remember waking up in a blanket” at age four as her mother fled from an abusive relationship to go live with Scott’s grandmother. She called the concert “an important night” for Chicago to come together to try to prevent violence against all women and girls.

The fans cheered for Scott’s hits and new songs. Grammy-winner Scott performed hit singles including “Golden” and “Cross My Mind“ as well as upcoming hits.

 The first half of the show was dominated by Indo-Afro-Caribbean band Funkadesi, 2006 winner of the Chicago Music Award for Most Outstanding Group.

 “What Will It Take? Building the Safest State for All Women and Girls” is a yearlong statewide initiative headed by Chicago Foundation for Women. “What Will It Take?” is a question that invites change and opens the door to a new way of thinking about violence. Throughout the initiative, artists have helped spread the word and get people talking. “Music Matters” recognizes the importance of engaging artists, who stay on the cutting edge of important social issues like violence against women and girls.

The “What Will It Take?” initiative is paid for in part by a grant from the State of Illinois. The initiative as well as the concert was sponsored by the Lakshmi Foundation, Allstate Foundation, Macy’s and Verizon Wireless.

Chicago Foundation for Women is one of the largest women’s funds in the world. Our work is rooted in three principles of women’s human rights: economic security, health and freedom from violence. Since 1986, we have awarded more than 2,300 grants and $14.5 million to hundreds of Chicago-area and statewide organizations. We also achieve social justice through advocacy, leadership, and public and grantee education.

For more information contact Susy Schultz, director of advocacy and communications, at (312) 577-2825 or sschultz@cfw.org.

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