Michealene Cristini Risley
Encyclopedia
Michealene Cristini Risley is an award-winning writer, director and human rights activist.
Risley is most well known for her recent work as the writer, producer and director for the film Tapestries of Hope
, which follows social activist Betty Makoni
in her efforts to help sexually abused young women in Zimbabwe through her foundation the Girl Child Network. Risley was imprisoned and then deported to South Africa by the Zimbabwean government for the footage she shot during her time with Makoni and the Girl Child Network.
After being safely returned to the United States, Risley became a large part of the push for the passing of the International Violence Against Women Act by creating grassroots efforts with over 45 other human rights groups. The film premiered in September of 2010 in over 105 theaters nationwide.
Risley really kicked off her career in 2000 as the VP of Production, Development and Consumer products for Marvel Comics.
In 2003, she founded Fresh Water Haven, a 501(c)(3) organization that writes, produces, develops and brings to market films, documentaries and books with the goal of raising awareness about global issues that are in need of reform. A frequent Huffington Post editorial writer, Risley is a highly sought after Human Rights Speaker. In 2003, Risley wrote, directed and produced Flashcards, a short film on child sexual abuse which won numerous awards and aired on PBS nationwide. Risley also co-authored the best-selling book This Is Not the Life I Ordered
, alongside Deborah Collins Stephens, Jan Yanehiro
, and Jackie Speier
, which has sold well over 50,000 copies (the book details the friendship of these four women and the ups and downs they faced in their lives). In 2004, Risley was the Senior Director of Entertainment/Consumer Products at SEGA of America, and in 2006, Risley founded Fresh Water Spigot, a licensing and creative services agency specializing in consumer products categories, as well as conceptualized, developed and launched the first Adidas branded maternity produce line The Power of Two, LLC.
Risley was born and raised in Clawson, Michigan
, but spent her teenage years in Troy, Michigan
. She graduated from Bishop Foley High School and then went on to graduate from Michigan State University
with a degree in Telecommunications and minors in English and Advertising. She spent a number of years in Hollywood for such companies as Disney, Amblin and Mattel. Married as of 1993, she has three boys and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. In her spare time, she is a voracious reader and enjoys writing, gardening, and spending time with her husband and kids.
Risley is most well known for her recent work as the writer, producer and director for the film Tapestries of Hope
Tapestries of Hope
Tapestries of Hope is a feature-length documentary that exposes a Zimbabwean myth that if a man rapes a virgin he will be cured of HIV/AIDS. The film focuses on the work human rights activist Betty Makoni has done to protect and re-empower girls who have been victimized through sexual abuse...
, which follows social activist Betty Makoni
Betty Makoni
Betty Makoni is a Zimbabwean gender activist who founded the Girl Child Network, which cares for Zimbabwe's young sex abuse victims; the organization has rescued more than 35,000 girls. She earned two degrees from the University of Zimbabwe, and has been awarded numerous national and international...
in her efforts to help sexually abused young women in Zimbabwe through her foundation the Girl Child Network. Risley was imprisoned and then deported to South Africa by the Zimbabwean government for the footage she shot during her time with Makoni and the Girl Child Network.
After being safely returned to the United States, Risley became a large part of the push for the passing of the International Violence Against Women Act by creating grassroots efforts with over 45 other human rights groups. The film premiered in September of 2010 in over 105 theaters nationwide.
Risley really kicked off her career in 2000 as the VP of Production, Development and Consumer products for Marvel Comics.
In 2003, she founded Fresh Water Haven, a 501(c)(3) organization that writes, produces, develops and brings to market films, documentaries and books with the goal of raising awareness about global issues that are in need of reform. A frequent Huffington Post editorial writer, Risley is a highly sought after Human Rights Speaker. In 2003, Risley wrote, directed and produced Flashcards, a short film on child sexual abuse which won numerous awards and aired on PBS nationwide. Risley also co-authored the best-selling book This Is Not the Life I Ordered
This Is Not the Life I Ordered
This Is Not the Life I Ordered: 50 Ways to Keep Your Head Above Water When Life Keeps Dragging You Down is a collaborative non-fiction inspirational self-help book written by Deborah Collins Stephens, Michealene Cristini Risley, Jackie Speier, and Jan Yanehiro. The book was first published in a...
, alongside Deborah Collins Stephens, Jan Yanehiro
Jan Yanehiro
-Personal life:She earned a journalism degree from California State University, Fresno in 1970.She is the Director of Multimedia Communications at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.-Television career:...
, and Jackie Speier
Jackie Speier
Karen Lorraine Jacqueline "Jackie" Speier is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2008. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes the northern two-thirds of San Mateo County and the southwest quarter of San Francisco.She is also a former member of the California State...
, which has sold well over 50,000 copies (the book details the friendship of these four women and the ups and downs they faced in their lives). In 2004, Risley was the Senior Director of Entertainment/Consumer Products at SEGA of America, and in 2006, Risley founded Fresh Water Spigot, a licensing and creative services agency specializing in consumer products categories, as well as conceptualized, developed and launched the first Adidas branded maternity produce line The Power of Two, LLC.
Risley was born and raised in Clawson, Michigan
Clawson, Michigan
Clawson is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of the Detroit metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, its population was 11,825.-Geography:...
, but spent her teenage years in Troy, Michigan
Troy, Michigan
Troy is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan, and is a suburb of Detroit. The population was 80,980 at the 2010 census, making it the 11th-largest city in Michigan by population, and the largest city in Oakland County...
. She graduated from Bishop Foley High School and then went on to graduate from Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
with a degree in Telecommunications and minors in English and Advertising. She spent a number of years in Hollywood for such companies as Disney, Amblin and Mattel. Married as of 1993, she has three boys and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. In her spare time, she is a voracious reader and enjoys writing, gardening, and spending time with her husband and kids.
Awards
- 2010 – Silicon Valley's Most Influential Woman
- 2010 – Monaco Film Festival – Special Mention for Inspiration and Strong Message
- 2009 – Director Finder Series – The Director’s Guild of America
- 2009 – Best Documentary – WIFTS (The Women in Film & Television Symposium)
- 2009 – Best Director – WIFTS
- 2009 – Aloha Accolade Award – Honolulu International Film Festival
- 2009 – Award of Merit – Accolade Film Awards
- 2009 – Best Documentary – Louisville International Festival of Film
- 2009 – Award of Excellence – The Indie Fest
- 2007 – New Communications Review "Award of Excellence" for live blogs during her filming and incarceration in Zimbabwe