"I feel like its important to use this gift God gave me, my life and my career to do something to make the world a better place. The real heroes are the ones working at the shelters every day and the women who find the courage to better their lives for themselves and their children. The woman working at the shelter doesn't have the opportunity to get in front of a million people and raise awareness. I'm the one that can do that for her."

Martina McBride

Martina McBride is a phenomenal lady who has had a distinguished career. She has reached many milestones, including selling over 13 million albums, releasing over 20 Top 10 hits and having every album platinum, double or triple platinum. She has been a Grammy nominee on multiple occasions, received CMA female vocalist winner three times and been awarded Academy of Country Music female vocalist winner twice. Martina is renowned for her accomplishments in more ways than one. Her unwavering commitment to human rights and efforts to prevent domestic violence has changed the lives of many people for the last decade. Her devotion to many other charitable causes and her dedication to helping others has not only changed lives but given a message of hope to countless individuals.

Domestic Violence Awareness

No celebrity name is more synonymous with the fight against domestic violence than Martina McBride, currently the Spokesperson for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Songs such as "Independence Day," "A Broken Wing," "Love's the Only House" and "Concrete Angel" have become not only memorable musical statements, but resounding social commentaries as well. With her preternaturally large soprano voice, McBride speaks for those who can't speak for themselves and forces us to recognize situations that we'd prefer to ignore. Whether it's alcoholism, domestic violence or child abuse, this courageous risk-taker has never backed down from exploring our nation's darkest sides.

Stirring A Nation
In 1994, she gave battered women a voice with her signature hit "Independence Day" about an abused woman who chooses to take matters into her own hands and told through the eyes of a young child. She again rocked the music community with her No. 1 follow-up "A Broken Wing" about an emotionally abused woman who finally gets the courage to leave a disastrous relationship. She continued this theme with the touching "Love's the Only House" where she sings, "Love's the only house big enough for all the pain in the world" a message that resonates even more so today.

National Network to End Domestic Violence and Spokesperson for the Tulsa Domestic Violence & Intervention Services

Through her ongoing work with several domestic violence organizations, Martina has brought attention to what has become a national tragedy. As the spokesperson for the National Network to End Domestic Violence and National Spokesperson for the Tulsa Domestic Violence and Intervention Services, Martina dedicated herself to the plight of women and children in emotional and physically abusive relationships. She recorded numerous PSAs and television interviews and to help possible victims recognize the signs of abuse, Martina distributed cards with the telling signs of abusive relationships at her concerts.

National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH)

This year, Martina signed on as the spokesperson for The National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH). 1-800-799-SAFE or TTY 1-800-787-3224, provides a vital link between families in crisis and the information they need to find safety. NDVH is staffed by live advocates, available year-round, 24-hours a day, and every call to the Hotline is anonymous. NDVH announced the launch of the Connections Campaign, a public/private partnership that teams up private telecommunication and technology companies with the federal government to guarantee that the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) can provide safety and lifesaving services to victims of domestic violence well into the 21^st century.

YWCA of Middle Tennessee

Martina became involved with the YWCA of Middle Tennessee and their worthwhile programs. After speaking to young women about self-esteem at YWCAs across the country, Martina signed on to host their Celebrity Auction. She has continued to do so for the last decade and has so far, helped raise nearly $400,000 to help their Domestic Violence Shelter and educational programs for women and their families.

ChildHelp USA

Her single, "Concrete Angel," from her Greatest Hits collection, once again addressed the subject of abuse. This time the subject was child abuse and the accompanying video contained a tag for ChildHelp USA which provides a confidential, toll-free lifeline for children who are being abused and want assistance, parents who are seeking help with their abuse problem or anyone wanting to report cases of abuse. Many child welfare professionals lauded the song and video for "bringing national attention to a subject that too often causes people to look the other way," and her Web site was barraged with letters from people who had seen the video or heard the song and felt compelled to share their own personal experiences.

USA Weekend’s Make A Difference Day & Safe Haven’s “Loves The Only House” Fund

Not stopping with domestic violence issues, Martina tries to help and make a difference at every opportunity. As part of her honorary chairpersonship of USA Weekend's Make a Difference Day,

Martina organized a drive that brought in truckloads of diapers, toys, school supplies, clothing and other necessary items for the families in residence at Safe Haven, the only 24-hour family shelter in Nashville that keeps families together in their time of displacement. She also established the Love's the Only House Fund to help them renovate the building to house more families and hosted a Halloween costume party for all the children of Safe Haven.

SHARE

Martina also participated in a CD project aimed at preventing addiction and abuse. Martina contributed "Cheap Whiskey" from The Time Has Come to the compilation CD, The Songs of Hope, Awareness, and Recovery for Everyone (SHARE). The CD, released August 2003, also features George Jones, Travis Tritt, Kathy Mattea among others.

Her Response to 9/11
After the world was shook by 9/11, Martina pledged a portion of sales from her now double-platinum Greatest Hits CD (which coincidentally, was released on 9/10/01 with Martina wearing a T-shirt with an American Flag on the cover) to the American Red Cross. In addition, she appeared on a celebrity episode of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and earned $125,000 for the NYC Police and Fire Widows and Children's Fund. She also lent her voice to The Freedom Concert that collected the top names in country music and was televised on CMT and has participated in several Farm Aid concerts throughout the years.

Fan Fair Auctions
Each year during Fan Fair, Martina holds a charity silent auction at her Fan Fair booth or fan club party. A total of $250,000 has been raised since 2000 and donated to various charities including the Fannie Battle Day Home (Nashville), YWCA, Red Cross and Safe Haven.

Prevent Child Abuse America Campaign

Most recently, Martina has donated her time to various other charities close to her heart. She is involved in the Prevent Child Abuse America campaign, with "Concrete Angel" being featured in their educational and promotional materials, with a direct call to action from Martina.

Armed Forces

She is also working alongside the Army & Air Force Hometown News Services, video taping messages to the troops overseas. The Army & Air Force Hometown News Service, is best known for its efforts in helping the troops send greetings back home to family and friends, during the holidays.

Honors and Awards

• Awarded the prestigious Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award by fellow Opry member, Vince Gill, in 2003 during the Grand Ole Opry's 78th birthday bash.

• Granted the Heroes Award on Sep. 17, 2003, at our nation's capital, by the National Recording Academy. This award is given each year to only one Senator, one Congressperson, one non-profit organization and one recording artist. Martina was honored as an artist who has improved the lives of music makers and as one who has used the power of music to improve the lives of ALL Americans.
• Honored at the 6th annual Redbook Mothers & Shakers Awards Luncheon (held Sept. 16, 2003) for her devotion to mentoring and inspiring others to lead more fulfilling lives.
• Lifetime Television is honoring Martina along with singer Ashanti, actress/filmmaker Rosanna Arquette, actress Vanessa Marcil, former NFL quarterback Don McPherson and actor Victor Rivers during its Emmy Award-winning campaign “Our Lifetime Commitment: Stop Violence Against Women” to Washington, D.C., March 8-12.  One of the week’s key events will be the first-ever “Lifetime Champions for Change: Stop Violence Against Women” gala to honor these women and men who have lent their voices to raise awareness of domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking, sex trafficking and all forms of violence against women.
• In May 2004, Martina and a handful of other “Musical Moms” will grace the cover of Redbook.

"I feel like songs like 'Independence Day' and 'Concrete Angel' were divinely sent to me. I'm just the instrument for the song to do whatever it's supposed to do -- heal, inspire or encourage. It's not all about me, it's about the song. I'm just the lucky girl who gets to sing these songs."

Martina McBride