The M Projects is giving back to the community. “The Pearls,” a private affair to be celebrated in Studio City, CA, on June 4, 2011, is our opportunity to recognize twenty-one outstanding Deaf Women across America. These women have set the standard in their respective fields and will be honored in these categories: First Ofs/Founders, Advocates, Artists, Businesswomen, and Hidden Pearls:

• First Ofs/Founders: Gertrude Galloway, Claudia Gordon, Lizzie Sorkin, Ashley Fiolek
• Advocates: Marlee Matlin, Cheryl Wu, Leah Katz-Hernandez, Jules Dameron
• Artists: Mary Rappazzo, TL Forsberg, Amy Edwards, Michelle Banks
• Business: Myrna Orleck-Aiello, Moon Feris, Mara Ladines, Rosa Lee
• Hidden Pearls: Karen Putz, Melissa Rich, Erica Hossler, Laura Lopez
• The Black Pearl: Marcella M. Meyer

Often Deaf Women do not get enough recognition for their accomplishments, and this event will shine a spotlight on their contributions. More detailed biographies about these amazing women can be found on http://themprojects.com/category/the-pearls/.

Several years ago Sheena McFeely, creator of “The Pearls,” watched Oprah’s television special, “The Legends,” where Oprah selected outstanding women who serve as great role models in their professions. Oprah’s idea inspired Sheena to establish “The Pearls” for Deaf Women across America. Sheena stated, “A pearl is an object of beauty, admiration and rarity.The women receiving this award are singled out as worthy of admiration and acknowledgment. This event will show not only to the world, but Deaf children everywhere, that it is possible to be a lawyer, actress, business owner, spokesperson, political leader, or animator. After all, each hold a pearl within that is waiting to be revealed.”

On the following day, June 5th of 2011, will be the Meet and Greet The Pearls event. Parents, leaders, signers, friends, family members, and community members are more than welcome to attend by being a supporter. In case you are wondering where the proceeds will go to…it covers all of the event’s expenses, Pearls’ airfares, and most of all, push the possibility of having a second round of The Pearls. In other words, there will be a whole new group of Deaf Women being selected for the second time around! Interested on how to become a supporter, http://themprojects.com/2010/12/want-to-meet-the-pearls/ is the place to find out.

All of this will be broadcasted online on September 10th, 2011 via our website for the public to view with Deanne Bray, Actress (Heroes, Sue Thomas: FBEye, The L Word), being our Mistress of Ceremonies. To learn more about Deanne Bray, visit her website at http://www.deannebray.com/. In the meantime, we will be releasing up and close video interviews of each Pearl weekly. We hope you will join along with parents, students, colleagues, signers, and strangers alike by watching the Pearls Special as well as the video interviews.