Pasadena, CA, January 17, 2002 — In recognition of National Women's History Month this March, WE: WOMEN'S ENTERTAINMENT presents "Winning Beginnings," a series of documentaries, original specials and films celebrating women who are making history with their significant contributions in politics, sports, fashion and entertainment. As the spokesperson for the event, the network tapped actress Diane Lane to host the "Winning Beginnings" programming block every Sunday night in March. This marks the network's second annual effort in conjunction with the National Women's History Project to support and raise awareness for the contributions of women. Johnson & Johnson brands Viactiv and Motrin sponsor "Winning Beginnings."
"We are thrilled to have Diane Lane as host of our annual tribute to women making history" noted Martin Von Ruden, Executive Vice President and General Manager of WE: WOMEN'S ENTERTAINMENT. "With "Winning Beginnings," we are recognizing the accomplishments of today's women as they inspire the leaders of tomorrow."
"Winning Beginnings" will air in primetime every Sunday night in March. Each week will focus on a different theme; Women in Action on March 3, Women in Washington on March 10, Women in Hollywood on
March 17 and Women in Fashion on March 24. The month-long tribute to women making history culminates with Women in Retrospect on March 31, with the one-hour Linda Ellerbee-produced documentary "When I Was A Girl" hosted by Stockard Channing.
The primetime programming lineup for "Winning Beginnings" is as follows:
Sunday, March 3 – Women in Action – The month kicks off with an adrenaline rush featuring two one-hour documentaries on women making history in auto-racing and extreme sports.
| 8:00 PM | FAST WOMEN – An exciting look at the personal experiences of women race car drivers. While exploring everything from their loyal fan base to the physical challenges of the sport, the documentary shows the struggles and triumphs as these women make their way around the track. |
| 9:00 PM | WINNING WOMEN – Actress and tri-athlete Alexandra Paul hosts this in-depth look at the unprecedented challenges of female extreme athletes as they show what it takes to hang from a sheer rock face with bare hands, shoot the curl of a 15-foot face, or bounce over chaotic white water rapids. |
Sunday, March 10 – Women In Washington – Back-to-back documentaries profiling America's first ladies.
| 8:00 PM | Jacqueline Kennedy |
| 8:30 PM | Pat Nixon |
| 9:00 PM | Rosalynn Carter |
| 9:30 PM | Nancy Reagan |
Sunday, March 17 – Women in Hollywood – A behind-the-scenes look at women behind and in front of the camera making Hollywood history.
| 8:00 PM | STUNT WOMEN: WORLD TOUR – Cindy Crawford hosts a look at the lives of women who dare death as stunt doubles for Hollywood's hottest stars. The special gives thrill seekers a rare chance to see these women attempt new world records. |
| 9:00 PM | REEL MODELS: THE FIRST WOMEN IN FILM – Barbra Streisand, Susan Sarandon, Hilary Swank and Minnie Driver explore and celebrate the tremendous strides women have made in the motion picture industry over the decades. |
Sunday, March 24 – Women in Fashion – Profiles of two women who have paved the fashion runway with inimitable style and tough-as-nails tenacity – Donatella Versace and Anna Wintour.
| 8:00 PM | BOSS WOMEN: ANNA WINTOUR – An exclusive look at a day in the life of the most powerful woman in fashion, Vogue's Editor-In-Chief, Anna Wintour. |
| 9:00 PM | DONATELLA VERSACE – This rare glimpse into the flamboyant and flashy life of fashion designer Donatella Versace features interviews with fellow designer Karl Lagerfeld, singer Jon Bon Jovi and actress Melanie Griffith. |
Sunday, March 31 – Women in Retrospect
| 8:00 PM | WHEN I WAS A GIRL – This original documentary, produced by Linda Ellerbee, highlights the defining moments in a girl's life — personal stories that are individual, unique and that collectively demonstrate the shared experiences of all girls. Hosted by Stockard Channing, the one-hour special tells the stories of girlhood that had a lasting impact. Extraordinary women from politics, sports, Hollywood, and fashion are featured including Emmy winners Candice Bergen and The Soprano's Edie Falco, astronaut Sally Ride, Just Shoot Me's Wendie Malick, The X-File's Gillian Anderson, world renowned opera sensation Denyce Graves, former Clinton advisor Dee Dee Myers and WNBA star Lisa Leslie. The documentary traces their journey from girls to women, recalling the moments from childhood that put them on the path leading to who they are today. |
"Winning Beginnings" host Diane Lane has successfully made the transition from child star to leading lady. She began her acting career at age six on stage in New York City. At age 13, she made her film debut opposite Sir Laurence Olivier in George Roy Hill's "A Little Romance" receiving numerous accolades for her outstanding performance including the cover of Time magazine. Her career took off and she soon earned back-to-back roles in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Outsiders" and "Rumble Fish." Diane appeared in the television miniseries "Lonesome Dove" and has starred in several feature films including "Chaplin" with Robert Downey Jr., "Murder at 1600" with Wesley Snipes, "A Walk on the Moon" with Viggo Mortenson, "My Dog Skip" with Kevin Bacon and "The Perfect Storm" opposite George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg. Her upcoming projects include "The Glass House" with Leelee Sobieski, "Hardball" with Keanu Reeves and "Unfaithful," with Richard Gere.
WE: WOMEN'S ENTERTAINMENT is a service of AMC NETWORKS. WE: WOMEN'S ENTERTAINMENT gives women a chance to relax and a way to recharge through entertainment that connects them on an emotional level. WE: WOMEN'S ENTERTAINMENT features the largest collection of women's interest films, inspiring original series and topical specials. The network currently has 43 million subscribers.
A subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC) and NBC, Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. manages Bravo, The Independent Film Channel, American Movie Classics, WE: Women's Entertainment, MuchMusic USA, Rainbow Sports, News 12 Networks and MetroChannels as well as the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications. In addition, Rainbow is a fifty-percent partner in FOX Sports Net. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE:MGM) owns a 20 percent stake in four of Rainbow's national networks – AMC, Bravo, IFC and WE: Women's Entertainment. A new series of Cablevision common stock — Rainbow Media Group tracking stock (NYSE:RMG) — began trading on the NYSE on March 30th. The assets that comprise Rainbow Media Group tracking stock include: Rainbow's five national networks, the company's interest in the national service FOX Sports Net, and Rainbow's 5 regional sports channels outside of the New York market, and Rainbow Network Communications.