Pro-football style Draft celebrates Women's Empowerment on April 23

As the NFL has finished celebrating their 100th year, the nation has begun honoring the centennial of the 19th Amendment. The amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920 granting women the right to vote (but not always access for all women).  

We ask you to join us in celebrating female empowerment icons with the same (if not greater) passion that we celebrate professional athletes. We hope this petition encourages professional athletes to join us in honoring these icons through a simple act of support - which can be offered from our homes during the COVID quarantine. 

The Art Force 5 program uses creativity to bring people together, often around difficult topics. On April 23, 2020 (same day as NFL's scheduled draft), we will host an on-line city-by-city selection and recognition of FEMALE EMPOWERMENT ICONS. Special guests will wear colorful tribute jerseys which match the state's pro-football team, and read a short biography of a chosen icon from that region.

For example, a New Yorker might pay tribute to Shirley Chisholm, spending two minutes talking about her pioneering congressional career while wearing a tribute jersey in colors that match a certain NY football franchise. Thirty cities would announce thirty-two women worthy of recognition in an educational and entertaining draft format, yet very different in that we're shifting the focus from male athletes to female pioneers.

Help initiate a cultural shift in hero worship. With this spotlight and your urging, we hope to encourage special guest to make on-line announcements for each "pick." We seek male and female professional and retired athletes...perhaps with their daughters..or equally important, with their sons...taking approximately two minutes to educate and honor (we will mail the chosen spokespeople the jerseys).

Each year, the program will continue to grow and empower the next generation of change agents. Thank you in advance to those who share this program and those who volunteer to participate in the on-line presentation. 

Notes: The Art Force 5 program is supported through a grant from the State University of New York (SUNY). No financial profit is made from program nor are any jerseys sold or corporate sponsorship sought. Program serves a purely educational and equity mission with an artistic approach.