DIONNE WARWICK PRESENTS THE COVER GIRLS FOR CHANGE 46664 CAMPAIGN

with SANDI BASS, THULI DUMAKUDE & MARIA McDONALD

Photographer PETER BEARD
Confirmed Models  Alek Wek, Chanel Iman, Pat Cleveland, Sandi Bass, Maria McDonald

**Launch announcement made at Inspired In New York event April 24th honoring Constance C.R. White. Kevin Liles and Phillip Bloch.
 

DIONNE WARWICK, former Ambassador of Health for the Reagan administration and U.S. Ambassador of the 46664 Mandela Foundation has joined forces with THULI DUMAKUDE, of the Thembalethu Beaders and legendary models MARIA MCDONALD, founder of Cover Girls For Change and SANDI BASS to launch a global campaign to bring awareness to women’s rights and the fight against HIV/AIDS globally.  South Africa has the highest number of people infected with HIV in the world.   The estimated rate of new HIV infections for black women in the U.S. was more than 15 times as high as the rate for white women, and more than three times as high as that of Latina women.

In recognition of Nelson Mandela’ 94th Birthday on July 18th Warwick, McDonald, Bass and Dumakude with support from several celebrity, fashion, and film notables will showcase the works of The Thembalethu Beaders.  Led by Thuli Dumakude 45 rural women of South Africa will create beaded jewelry to signify 46664 (four, double six, six four) which takes its name from the prison number (prisoner number 466 of 1964) given to Mr. Mandela when he was incarcerated for life on Robben Island, off Cape Town, South Africa.

This is the catalyst to a global human rights campaign for economic stability, racial equality, health reform/education and women’s rights.  Proceeds from the campaign will benefit the Thembalethu Beaders and the 46664 Mandela Foundation.

The campaign will kick off with a photo-shoot to be shot by iconic photographer PETER BEARD.   A documentary on the history of these iconic women’s fight for racial equality from America to Africa is set for release in 2013. 

Cover Girls for Change, is a platform spotlighting the Beauty, Fashion & Film Industries with the global initiative for social transformation through charitable contributions and innovative events.

Thembalethu Beaders is a South African based company helping in the fight against HIV / AIDS and creating jobs for rural women.