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Golden Globe Winner Mary-Louise Parker Joins Queen Noor as Presenter at Arab American Gala

Posted on Wednesday March 31, 2004

Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards Promote Understanding and Inclusion

WASHINGTON—The Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) is pleased to announce that award-winning actor Mary-Louise Parker will present Rock The Vote Executive Director Jehmu Greene with the 2004 Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Award at the Omni Shoreham hotel on Tuesday, May 4th.

Mary-Louise Parker, well known for her role as feminist Amy Gardner on the hit TV series “The West Wing”, won a 2004 Golden Globe for portrayal of Harper Pitt in the HBO mini-series “Angels In America”. In 2002, she received a Tony for Best Leading Actress in the Broadway hit “Proof”. Parker has starred in over 20 major feature films including “Red Dragon,” “Fried Green Tomatoes,” “Grand Canyon,” “Boys on the Side,” “The Client,” and “Bullets Over Broadway”. In addition to “The West Wing”, for which she received Emmy and Screen Actors Guild nominations, her TV credits include “Master Spy: The Robert Hanssen Story,” HBO’s “Sugartime,” and “Saint Maybe.”

Asserting that the post-9/11 backlash against Arab and Muslim Americans “is a form of terrorism, too”, Mary-Louise Parker organized close to fifty of her fellow actors in October 2001 to film a series of public service announcements promoting tolerance towards Arab and Muslim Americans; participants included Dennis Quaid, Mia Farrow, Shannon Elizabeth, and Steve Buscemi. Parker’s “Don’t Pick the Wrong Fight” campaign was endorsed by the Ad Council and aired on TV stations throughout the country.

When asked what motivated her to organize and direct the anti-hate ad campaign by Cosmopolitan magazine, Parker said, “After September 11, I heard and read of so many innocent Arab Americans who had been attacked or who were living in fear. I became frustrated because I felt that this country is a place where people should be able to feel safe. So these ads serve as a gentle reminder to people of what America stands for.”

“We are delighted that such a distinguished and multi-faceted actor will be joining us this year to honor an organization that is doing so much to get our youth involved in the political process. Ms. Parker’s presence will also provide our community leaders with the opportunity to personally thank her for taking the initiative to protect our community from the backlash that resulted from the 9/11 attacks,” said Arab American Institute President James Zogby.

Other distinguished recipients of this year’s Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards are Muhammad Ali, for his efforts to draw attention to and combat poverty and hunger throughout the world, and American Near East Aid (ANERA), for its 36-year commitment to relieving the suffering of refugees in the Middle East. MPI Media Group will receive special recognition for its continued efforts to educate and promote greater understanding of the Middle East and Her Majesty Queen Noor will present the first “Najeeb Halaby Public Service Award” to Congressman Nick Rahall. Entertainment at the awards gala will be provided by Arab American comedians Dean Obeidallah and Maysoon Zayid.

To purchase tickets, visit www.aaiusa.org/gibran.htm.

Media covering the event should RSVP to Jennifer Salan or Rebecca Abou-Chedid at (202) 429-9210.