Casey Anthony Trial - Week 1

Casey Anthony Trial began this past week and boy has the circus come to town! Join “Voices for Justice” every Friday throughout the trial as we explore the evidence, the testimonies, and more importantly the lies flying like flies in the courtroom.
“Voices for Justice” on BTR each Friday throughout the trial will continue to have a panel of experts who will take your calls and who will weigh in on the happenings in the courtroom in Orlando, Florida.

Caylee Marie Anthony, at the time was just shy of her third birthday, was missing for 31 days when finally her grandparents, George and Cindy Anthony were able to break their daughter’s silence about how Caylee was missing and she had not been able to find her. Caylee’s grandmother Cindy made a call to 911 and the fireworks have not stopped since.

Caylee’s remains were located December 10, 2008 just around the corner from the Anthony’s home in Orlando. Their daughter Casey is now on trial for first degree murder and may face a death sentence if she is found guilty. Anthony has continued to plead not guilty.

Host of “Voices for Justice” Michelle Bart, came onto the scene of helping to find Caylee and volunteered her services to the Anthony’s. After many months of technical support with the Help Find Caylee Anthony website and efforts to clean up the charter of Casey Anthony on the Internet, Michelle was asked to go to Orlando to help support the Anthony’s with media and public relations services. Bart has continued to support the grandparents throughout the investigation and she will take your calls as well as other featured guests each week.

To join the conversation and listen to past shows visit www.blogtalkradio.com/helpingheroes. The weekly Casey Anthony Trial shows will air live on BTR every Friday from 9pm (ET) / 6pm (PT).

JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL TO RECEIVE RUBY AWARD

Portland, OR – Soroptimist International Northwestern Region along with many other agencies will come together to host the annual Northwest Conference Against Trafficking on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at the Red Lion Hotel on the River in Portland, Oregon.

It was announced today that the Soroptimist Ruby Award will be given to HLN’s Jane Velez-Mitchell by two Northwestern Region clubs, Soroptimist International of Southwest Washington and Vancouver. A notable television news journalist, Jane Velez-Mitchell is the host of the TV show “Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell” which airs on HLN every night at 7p.m. eastern and 4 p.m. pacific. Previously, Jane reported for the nationally syndicated Warner Brothers/Telepictures show "Celebrity Justice." She also frequently guest hosted for Nancy Grace on her widely watched HLN show.

The Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women (formerly the Soroptimist Making a Difference for Women Award) acknowledges women who, through their personal or professional activities, work to improve the lives of women and girls. The work of these women helps to promote the issues that are important to the Soroptimist organization. Honorees are ordinary women who have worked in extraordinary ways to benefit women and girls. Examples of the type of work honored include: spearheading an effort to open a domestic violence shelter, starting a mentoring program for at-risk girls, or lobbying companies to provide on-site child care. The program enables local Soroptimist clubs and the Soroptimist organization to thank these women and encourage others to explore ways to assist women and girls.

The program begins on the club level, where the type of recognition varies. Award winners at the club level are eligible for additional awards at other levels of the organization. The finalist receives a $5,000 donation to the charity of her choice.

Women who are improving the lives of other women or girls through their professional or personal activities are eligible for the Soroptimist Ruby Award. These women have identified and focused on a need in their communities, which has significantly contributed to the improvement of women and girls’ lives.

Past Making a Difference for Women recipients have included: domestic violence expert and advocate Elaine Weiss; former U.S. Congresswomen Patsy Mink and Patricia Schroeder; novelist and former district attorney Linda Fairstein; Princess Diana; former child actor and U.S. Ambassador Shirley Temple Black; former Philippines President Corazon Aquino; and marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle.

Velez-Mitchell will accept the prestigious award on January 9, 2010 at the Northwest Conference Against Trafficking in Portland, Oregon. Anyone interested in attending the conference can visit the website for registration information at http://www.nwcat.org/.