INSPIRED WOMEN
Inspired Women
We gathered a remarkable group of inspired women across the entertainment industry. They’re creative and business talents who’re experts at bringing projects to life in Hollywood. They’re strong, accomplished women with warm hearts. And they’re standouts in an industry that’s renowned for being challenging for women.
DEBORAH RILEY DRAPER WRITER, DIRECTOR & FILMMAKER
Deborah is an award-winning and critically acclaimed filmmaker and author. Her 2016 documentary, Olympic Pride, American Prejudice, tells the long-untold story of 18 African Americans who defied Hitler and Jim Crow in 1936. Her debut film Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution, is the first intimate look at the Palace of Versailles fashion show fundraiser, which catapulted American ready-to-wear to global prominence. Learn more at deborahrileydraper.com.
DEBORAH RILEY DRAPER Award-winning and critically acclaimed, her 2016 documentary, Olympic Pride, American Prejudice, tells the long-untold story of 18 African Americans who defied Hitler and Jim Crow in 1936. Learn more at deborahrileydraper.com.
ERICA HANSON EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Erica is currently Executive Producer/Director of an in-depth biographical documentary for A&E on Jeff Dunham, the popular comedian/ ventriloquist. In 2018, she executive produced and was the showrunner on a six-part documentary series for A&E, Many Sides of Jane, that explores the life of a young woman suffering from dissociative disorder.
PATRICIA VELÁSQUEZ ACTRESS, AUTHOR & FOUNDER OF THE WAYÚU TAYÁ FOUNDATION
With an international career that spans modeling, acting and entrepreneurship, she also wrote the memoir Straight Walk: A Supermodel’s Journey to Finding Her Truth. Patricia is also an award-winning, socially conscious activist who founded the Wayúu Tayá Foundation, wayuutaya.org, in 2002 to improve the lives of Latin-American indigenous communities.
CHARISSE GLENN CASTING DIRECTOR & WRITER
Casting since 1986, Charisse brings a combined family experience of over 100 years in the commercial and film business. She’s worked in front of and behind the camera. She’s the writer of a women’s empowerment blog, theletgo.com, that’s about rethinking how we move through our lives, and is a space to connect a community of seekers.
NADINE DE BARROS PRODUCER, FINANCIER & CEO OF FORTITUDE INTERNATIONAL
Nadine’s represented over 350 films and TV series over the past 12 years. She launched Fortitude International, fortitudeint.com, in 2014 with producer Robert Ogden Barnum. Based in L.A., Fortitude looks to produce strong commercial and director-driven material.
BRENDA COOPER EMMY AWARD–WINNING COSTUME DESIGNER, STYLIST & COLOR EXPERT
Brenda combines her sense of style and humor, along with her encyclopedic knowledge of clothes, to help women become their most attractive and confident selves. To learn more, visit brendacooper.com.
The trailblazers, the firsts, the remarkable and revered.
Watch our latest episode featuring amazing women in entertainment.
INSPIRED WOMEN
A J.JILL ORIGINAL VIDEO SERIES
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