UN Women Presents Elizabeth Hess' DUST TO DUST: A SOLO PORTRAIT IN SHOCK

On Tuesday December 10, 2013, The Metro NY Chapter of the US National Committee for UN Women hosted Elizabeth Hess' Performance of 'Dust to Dust'; A Solo Portrait in Shock. The performance, which transforms the systematic rape of women in war-torn Bosnia into a silent cry played out on inner lives, caps off the 16 Days of Activism campaign that calls on individuals and groups around the world to act to end all forms of violence against women and girls.

Elizabeth's performances have spanned television and film touching on almost every genre from comedic-sitcom; Clarissa Explains it All to court room drama; Law & Order. Her body of work landed her a teaching position at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts at Playwrights Horizons Theatre School, a studio that emphasizes the power of art to show society its injustices.

Proceeds from the performance will support UN Women's wide range of programs that champion achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

"We are honored to present Ms. Hess' performance," said Cheryl Benton, president of UN Women's Metro NY Chapter. "Words fall short when describing the impact of gender based violence. Ms. Hess harnesses the power of art to bring people together to gain a greater understanding of how violence against women impacts everyone and to find the strength that lies beneath devastation. The performance will break the audiences' heart just enough to make room for hope."

Philanthropists, thespians and those looking to challenge their assumptions about trauma, war and gender-based violence gathered at the Auditorium of the Church of the Holy Family on 315 E 47 Street at 6 p.m. and enjoyed boutique wines imported from Northern Italy by VE Raimo Brands, Italian appetizers and Kati rolls from the Kati Roll Company before the performance. Guests stayed after the performance for a Q&A with Ms. Hess and networking opportunities.

About the US National Committee for UN Women, the Metro NY Chapter: With the US National Committee for UN Women, the Metro NY Chapter works towards raising public awareness and funds to support UN Women's projects around the world, enhancing women's economic security and rights, ending violence against women, reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among women and girls, and advocating for leadership and political participation by women, particularly during peacebuilding processes.

About Ban Ki-moon's UNiTE to End Violence Against Women: 603 million women live in countries where domestic violence is not a crime, Seven in ten women in the world report that they have experienced sexual or physical violence. Ban Ki-moon's UNiTE to End Violence Against Women works to change statistics like that. The campaign, predicated on the notion that violence against women and girls is NOT inevitable and that social and political institutions foster unequal treatment, engages men, women, private organizations, celebrities and more to create local campaigns and data collection for systemic change.

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign: The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign committed to connecting women around the world who are organizing to end violence against women. The 16 day period, from November 25 to December 10, chosen because it highlights significant dates for human rights, marks a time when women's rights are articulated as human rights that impact every corner of society including development, security, peace and public health. The campaign was started by the Centre for Women's Global Leadership in 1991. It begins on "International Day for the Circulation of Violence Against Women" (November 25) and concludes on "International Human Rights Day (December 10). More than 167 organizations in approximately 187 countries have participated since its inception.