(by Lucia Magi) “When I travel around the world for work, I can’t take Mia with me. When I’m at home, I’m a mother and a housewife: my daughter knows nothing about my professional world. But finally, I received the award in Los Angeles and she’s here with me: I’m so happy.” That’s how top model Bianca Balti, with her eyes wide open with excitement, confided in ANSA on the red carpet about ‘We Do It Together’, an independent production company dedicated to supporting the presence and image of women in media and cinema. In 2023 he took the crowdfunded film ‘Tell It Like a Woman’ to the Oscars, which was then screened at the UN on the occasion of the Day Against Violence against Women. This non-profit organization, founded in Hollywood by Italian filmmaker Chiara Tilesi, celebrated its tenth anniversary last night at Mr. Brainwash Art Museum in Beverly Hills.
During the ceremony, Balti, a resident of the city for many years, received recognition as a ‘Woman of Inspiration’ from the hands of Los Angeles Consul General Raffaella Valentini. “A mother always does everything to be an example for her children, so I dedicate this award to her”, explained Balti again referring to her second daughter, born in 2015, who accompanied her without ever forgetting her (Matilde, born in 2007, recently returned to Europe to follow in her mother’s footsteps on the catwalk).
“I am a person whose every moment is inspired by a network of women who are very different from me. Bringing them closer allowed me to develop a part of myself that I would never have discovered.
“Over the past decade, ‘We Do It Together’ has worked to change the cultural roots of gender inequality through film, education and social impact campaigns. But violence and inequality continue to rise around the world. During this event, we honor extraordinary women who are inspiring change. Our commitment is stronger than ever,” said founder Tilesi.
Among the honorees, diva Sharon Stone stood out, receiving the ‘Iconic Excellence Award’ for her work raising awareness about AIDS, women’s rights and global justice. “Women were important to my growth? I think of Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan who, together, overcoming their personal differences, animated the protests against violence in Northern Ireland (they won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976)”, the Basic Instinct and Casino star told ANSA, who before entering the room, added: “In this historical moment, more than ever women must unite, look after each other. It doesn’t matter how you fall, but how you rise: we have to do it as one body.”
Among the other winners were composer Diane Warren, a sixteen-time Oscar nominee; director Patricia Riggen; Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian; Kim Carter, who helps many homeless people in metropolitan California; and Rita Ali, founder of ‘We 2 Matter’, which supports the reintegration of former prisoners.
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