TEDxCMU -- Michealene Risley -- Rape & Abuse in Africa

Michealene Risley shares with us her incredible story on how she gave up a comfortable life as a corporate executive and traveled to Zimbabwe to document some of the most heartbreaking and unfortunately events that are happening to women and little girls. Learning through her own experiences with abuse and imprisonment in a Zimbabwe torture center, Michealene has been empowered to stand up against and challenge these unspeakable horrors.

Michealene Cristini Risley is the founder of Fresh Water Spigot. She has long been an entrepreneur who has created some of the largest deals in consumer products and the entertainment industry. But, entrepreneur turned activist, her most recent project was the film "Tapestries of Hope" which explores the rape and abuse of thousands of women in Zimbabwe by men under the belief that it will cure their HIV/AIDS. Michealene launched the first-ever branded maternity line in conjunction with Adidas. As Vice President of Licensing and Character Development for Sega of America, she championed the Sega Girls Task Force and produced well over 100 episodes in animation. She also wrote, produced, and directed a short film called "Flashcards," which won Best Cinematography at the California Independent Film Festival, Best Short film at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival, and the film screened in the Cannes Film Festival "Shorts Du Jour" program.