Ted Waitt speaks at the "founding fathers" event on June 1. Photo by Jon Simon.

Prominent men from the business, sports, music, legal and other communities came to New York City on June 1 to declare themselves "founding fathers" and to pledge to do all they can to stop violence against women and children. The star-studded event featured Gateway Founder Ted Waitt; Liz Claiborne CEO Paul Charron; Def Jam Records founder Russell Simmons; and New York Yankees Manager Joe Torre. All signed the "founding fathers" declaration, and urged others to join the campaign.


Organized by the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF), the "founding fathers" campaign is mobilizing men across the country to take a stand against violence. Hundreds of men have already pledged to serve as role models by teaching boys that violence against women and children is always wrong.


With 20 days until Father's Day, the men spoke to an audience of more than 100 people at the John Houseman Theatre. "I am in my 40's, and I never remember a time when violence was so much a part of the fabric of our lives and our nation," Waitt said at the event. "For those of us who thought the world was advancing - becoming smarter, more mature and more peaceful - these are sobering times. From terrorism to war to cruelty and torture, each day seems to bring more shocking events, more violence and more pain. It would be easy to feel helpless. To throw up your hands and retreat, escape, turn inward. But we aren't helpless. That is why I am so proud to Chair the Family Violence Prevention Fund's 'founding fathers' campaign. Because it reminds us that we can all help stop violence - in our families, our communities, and our world."


"I am a 'founding father' because I want my daughter and son to live in a safer world and I believe we all have a responsibility to serve as positive role models to the generations that follow us," Charron said. "Domestic violence is a bottom-line issue. Violence in the home affects thousands of working women every day, impacting their ability to provide and care for themselves and their families. It decreases productivity and increases health care costs and absenteeism. As employers, we are in a unique position to help those within our companies that need it." Charron chairs the workplace component of the "founding fathers" campaign.

Joe Torre Photo by Jon Simon.

Torre discussed his experience growing up in a violent home and as an athlete and manager, noting that sports leaders can do more to promote nonviolence among athletes. "You tell them to be aggressive, go out there and beat somebody up, go out there and win a ballgame and, unfortunately, when they go on a date that night, they don't take 'no' for an answer."

Former National Basketball Association Star M.L. Carr also joined the campaign, pledging to be a responsible role model for his two daughters and his community.

Simmons said he was optimistic that the hip hop generation has the courage to confront and address a tough issue like violence, and praised the campaign for starting a dialogue that is badly needed.

left to right, Robert Johnson, Paul Charron, Joe Torre Photo by Jon Simon.

Other speakers included Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, FVPF Incoming Board Chair Ron Adrine, and two boys who experienced family violence.

"I am a 'founding father' because I want to grow up to be a responsible man," sixth grader James Soto told the crowd.

At the event, the FVPF again screened a new television Public Service Announcement (PSA) that encourages men to teach boys that violence against women and children is wrong. It is part of the FVPF's Coaching Boys Into Men campaign, which also includes a print PSA featuring Torre. That spot appeared in the New York Times on June 2. Safe Horizons is the FVPF's partner for Coaching Boys Into Men in New York.

Participants also included Boys to Men, from Public School 64 in New York City.

The Waitt Family Foundation underwrites the "founding fathers" campaign, and Ted Waitt is National Chair. The campaign is made possible by Liz Claiborne, Inc., HomeGoods and The Wireless Foundation. Information on how to join the campaign is available at founding-fathers.org

Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) speaks to the "founding fathers" on Capitol Hill on May 5

On Wednesday, May 5, for the first time ever, a diverse and powerful group of men will come to Washington, D.C. to advocate for measures to stop violence against women and children. These "founding fathers" will urge lawmakers to support prevention initiatives in the Violence Against Women Act, which will be reauthorized by Congress next year. Organized by the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF), the men are coming to the nation?s capital during Mother?s Day week to launch the "founding fathers" campaign and to honor their mothers and other women in their lives.

The day will include a briefing sponsored by Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), as well as a luncheon sponsored by Lifetime Television, the Congressional Caucus for Women?s Issues and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. The men also will meet with Members of Congress and their staffs to advocate for measures to prevent violence against women and children.

Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) looks on as Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) addresses the "founding fathers" on Capitol Hill on May 5

Among the men scheduled to participate are: Judge Ron Adrine of Cleveland, Ohio; educator and writer Juan Carlos Are?n of Boston, Massachusetts; artist Michael Cronin; former state legislator Steve Hansen of Sioux City, Iowa; HomeGoods CEO Jerry Rossi; actor/producer Fisher Stevens; Wellstone Action Board of Directors Co-Chair Mark Wellstone; Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community Executive Director Oliver Williams; and a delegation from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Miami, Florida.

New York Yankees Manager Joe Torre, who will be in California with his team on May 5, is sending a videotaped greeting. "I, too, am a founding father who will do all I can to stop the violence against women and children that affects us all," Torre says in the greeting. "I am speaking out, this Mother?s Day week, for my mother, Margaret ? and for every mother and every child who lives with violence, pain and fear." Torre has spoken publicly about his experiences growing up in a violent home, and started the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation to help children who witness or experience abuse.

Actor Fisher Stevens signs the "founding fathers" declaration

At the congressional event, the FVPF will unveil its new public service announcements, designed to encourage men to talk to boys about abuse. Torre is featured in one of the print spots of the Coaching Boys Into Men campaign.

"This will be a historic event," said FVPF President Esta Soler. "Congress has taken some important steps to stop domestic and sexual violence, but it?s not enough to help victims and punish abusers after violence occurs. It?s time for lawmakers to support the prevention initiatives that can help stop violence before it starts."

VAWA Prevent

When the "founding fathers" meet with lawmakers, they will urge them to fund prevention initiatives in the Violence Against Women Act, when Congress reauthorizes it next year. Specifically, the provisions proposed for the new Violence Against Women Act would:

FVPF Incoming Board Chair Ron Adrine

? Provide services for children who have lived, or are currently living, in homes with domestic violence, including supports for non-abusing parents;

? Provide services and supports for young families, which are often at greatest risk of family and community violence, to help them develop strong parenting skills and to ensure the safety of all family members. This would include integrating domestic violence training and education into already existing programs such as home visitation, fatherhood, mentoring and prisoner re-entry;

? Develop, test and implement programs to help teens develop respectful, nonviolent relationships, including public education campaigns targeting boys and men; and

? Fund training for workers at Head Start, after-school and other programs serving children, so they can identify, help and, when appropriate, refer families experiencing violence to the social service agencies that can help.

"This is the first time we have given men a way they can make a real difference in stopping violence against women and children," Soler added. "The response has been tremendous. We are confident that, in the months and years ahead, the dozens of men who come to Washington next week will grow to hundreds and then thousands of men who will lead by example. They will teach boys that violence does not equal strength, and tell lawmakers that prevention is essential. These ?founding fathers? will become a movement of men and boys dedicated to this issue."

The "founding fathers" event will culminate with a declaration ? a full-page Father?s Day advertisement in the New York Times in June.

To become a "founding father" or to honor a man in your life, go to founding-fathers.org/

To sign up to come to Washington on May 5, please email jenn@endabuse.org. Men in particular are encouraged to attend.