AUSTIN, Texas -- Chris Lippincott, public affairs

director for the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA), was honored Jan. 23, for his work and commitment to ending sexual violence against

women.

    

The recognition is part of "The Times Square Project: Stop Violence

Against Women," a yearlong public awareness initiative to help emphasize the

importance of women and men joining together to stop violence against women.

   

Organized by Lifetime Television and the New York City Mayor's Office to

Combat Domestic Violence, in partnership with Nasdaq and singer-activist

Michael Bolton, The Times Square Project brings together nonprofit

organizations, corporations and hundreds of advocates willing to speak up to

halt violence against women.

   

"I'm accepting this salute on behalf of all of the brave men and women in

the state of Texas who are speaking up and speaking out against violence

against women," Lippincott said.  "We're passionate about our campaign in

Texas and the progress we're making to put an end to violence against women,

and we're honored to be recognized by such an outstanding initiative."

   

Every week, special signs and tickers around Times Square salute one

woman, one man and a nonprofit organization.  The Times Square Project began

on April 25, , and will run through April 16, .  Recipients of past

salutes include New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, singer-songwriter

Alanis Morissette, writer and feminist organizer Gloria Steinem, and Sen.

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY).

   

Each Friday, Lifetime airs the salute, reaching women and families in more than

86 million homes around the country.  Lifetimetv.com also features the salute,

the biographies of those mentioned and information on how to get involved in

The Times Square Project and the campaign to stop violence against women.  In

addition, the salutes will appear on the Times Square supersigns and tickers

of Nasdaq, Reuters, Liz Claiborne Inc., Wrigley's and CNBC. 

 

Before joining

TAASA in , Lippincott worked in the corporate and political sectors,

representing clients from high-tech companies to the government of Puerto

Rico.  As a fundraiser, campaign manager and press secretary for Congressman

Max Sandlin (D-Texas), Lippincott earned praise for his proactive style and

work with rural media outlets.

  

 "Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of my role with TAASA involves working

at the grassroots level," he said.  "Visiting college campuses, speaking with

rape survivors, working with law enforcement and hospitals -- it's inspiring

to know that the work we're doing is improving people's lives and making the

world a better place."

   

TAASA's "Speak Up.  Speak Out." public awareness campaign continues to

receive praise from across the country.  The campaign is a finalist for two

prestigious PRWeek Awards and has won five Mercury Awards, including three

Gold awards.  Last year, TAASA earned an iNOVA Award for its Web site.

 

TAASA is the statewide organization committed to ending sexual violence in Texas.  A nonprofit educational and advocacy organization based in Austin, TAASA member agencies comprise a statewide network of more than 70 crisis centers that serve rural

as well as metropolitan areas.  Founded in , the agency has a strong

record of success in community education, legal services, youth outreach, law

enforcement training, legislative advocacy, and curricula and materials

development. 

 

Source: Texas Association Against Sexual Assault