Society Hill Playhouse Recognizes Barbara Shaiman
‘Extraordinary Woman’ in Greater Philly

PHILADELPHIA –We are pleased to recognize Barbara Shaiman as the winner of our 'Extrordinary Women' Contest!

We also congratulate our 3 runners-ups:

Michelle Compton--Blue Bell, PA
Sherry Mulholland--Phila, PA
Ginny Crossett--Mt. Laurel, NJ

About Barbara Shaiman

Barbara's mother was incarcerated in Auschwitz and is the sole survivor of a family of 65 people. Her father worked for Oskar Schindler. As the daughter of Holocaust survivors, Barbara Shaiman has committed her life to promoting respect for diversity to ensure that genocide and violence never again happen to any group. In 1993, Barbara met Steven Spielberg after he made the film "Schindler's List." He inspired her to create Champions of Caring (www.championsofcaring.org), an organization that has educated and empowered over 10,000 youth from the greater Philadelphia area to respect one another's differences, to speak up against injustices, and to become social activists. Her response to her own family's suffering was not revenge, but to teach love, respect, and caring.

Since 1995, Barbara has worked with schools to create "cultures of caring" — environments that are positive and inclusive, promote respect for and celebration of differences, and help young people to care for their communities. Her message is that we most move beyond tolerance of one another to unity and working together to make the world a better place. Through Champions of Caring, students from diverse ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds come together to work on projects for social change.

Barbara has recently written a book, Live Your Legacy Now!: Ten Simple Steps to Find Your Passion and Change the World, to share her family history and teach people of all ages and backgrounds the tools to create cultures of caring in their communities and engage in service.

As the grand prize winner, Barbara was awarded a prize package that includes a "Women are Magnifique" weekend getaway at Sofitel Hotel in Philadelphia, a $50 gift certificate to the Sofitel's restaurant or spa, and $100 gift certificate to th and a $50 gift certicate to the Shops at Liberty Place.

The cast and crew of Respect selected four of the most Extraordinary Women and recognized them when they perform the smash-hit musical on Sunday, March 7 - the day before International Women’s Day (there was no show on Monday, March 8). The selected Extraordinary Women also had their stories displayed in the Society Hill Playhouse lobby for the month of March and received a Respect gift package.

Respect is being presented by Society Hill Playhouse, in association with Bud Martin, Act II Playhouse and Philip Roger Roy.