WNBA Star and Olympic Gold Medalist Lisa Leslie Joins the Largest Online Video Library of Women’s Stories Ever Assembled

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MAKERS, the first-of-its-kind multiplatform video initiative that aims to become the largest collection of women’s stories ever assembled, has reached a major milestone today with the launch of its 200^th MAKER: WNBA star Lisa Leslie. MAKERS celebrates the pioneering contributions by women over the last 50 years – from Supreme Court Justices, Secretaries of State and CEOs to athletes, activists and entertainers. Since its inception in February 2012, MAKERS has doubled the number videos collected by female trailblazers, week by week introducing inspiring stories by women who have helped shape America over the last 50 years. The induction of Lisa Leslie as the 200^th MAKER coincides with the celebration of Women’s Equality Day – the date when the 19^th Amendment officially granted American women the right to vote in 1920 – an important milestone in one of the most sweeping social revolutions in our country’s history.

“I hope that my video and the other MAKERS encourage young girls to reach for goals that they never thought were possible.”

As the 200^th MAKER, Lisa Leslie – Olympic gold medalist, three-time WNBA MVP and co-owner of the Los Angeles Sparks joins other groundbreakers that have initiated change, been firsts-in-their-fields and paved the way for those who followed. Her story of triumph and success joins those from network news pioneer Katie Couric, Academy Award-winning actress Rita Moreno and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Now on MAKERS.com, Leslie provides her intimate accounts of how she changed the game of women’s professional basketball; her stories will be part of the online living library that highlights a new generation of women who are driving social change today.

In Leslie’s 16 short-form videos, she discusses her journey from a six-foot seventh grade basketball player to the first woman in the WNBA to dunk a basketball. Leslie also candidly reveals how she overcame the challenges of competing in a male dominated sport and her efforts to change the mindset.

"It is truly an honor to serve as the 200^th MAKER. I hope my experiences and personal stories can be an inspiration to all women," said Leslie. "I hope that my video and the other MAKERS encourage young girls to reach for goals that they never thought were possible."

“We are thrilled to add Lisa Leslie to our library of exceptional women whose pioneering contributions shape the world in which we live,” said Maureen Sullivan, SVP and General Manager, Women's Content and Lifestyle Brands, AOL. “Reaching our 200^th MAKER is a significant milestone for us as we continue celebrating women, and their stories of equality, and continue to document women’s history with this important collection.”

MAKERS marks this milestone with its founding partner – Simple® facial skincare – a brand that is helping to transform the way women look at skincare. Just like the mission of MAKERS, Simple salutes these passionate women who inspire others.

“Simple facial skincare congratulates MAKERS on this significant milestone and in bringing so many stories to life,” said Gina Boswell, Executive Vice President, Personal Care for Unilever North America. “It is a project that mirrors our celebration of innovative women and we are so appreciative to have established this relationship with MAKERS.”

To view Lisa Leslie’s video, visit http://www.makers.com/lisa-leslie. For more, visit MAKERS.com/press and follow @MAKERSwomen on Twitter and visit Facebook.com/makerswomen on Facebook.

About MAKERS:

MAKERS is a landmark television and digital-video initiative from PBS and AOL, produced by Kunhardt McGee productions, that is the largest and most dynamic collection of women’s stories ever assembled. Nearly one year after the site’s inception, the three-hour documentary MAKERS: Women Who Make America debuted on PBS to critical acclaim with Forbes magazine calling it “a film every woman should see.” The documentary premiered in February and has been viewed more than 200,000 times on MAKERS.com¹. In June 2013, MAKERS launched the initiative MAKERS@ to encourage a select group of companies to celebrate and acknowledge their game-changing female employees. An invitation-only program, MAKERS@ centers on the inaugural MAKERS Conference, scheduled for February 2014, where leading companies will enlist the women who are making a mark within their organizations.

About AOL:

AOL Inc. (NYSE:AOL) is a brand company, committed to continuously innovating, growing, and investing in brands and experiences that inform, entertain, and connect the world. The home of a world-class collection of premium brands, AOL creates original content that engages audiences on a local and global scale. We help marketers connect with these audiences through effective and engaging digital advertising solutions.

About Simple:

Simple®, a Unilever brand, is the first and only line of mass facial skincare products that is perfect even for sensitive skin. Suitable for all skin types, Simple has no dyes, artificial perfumes or harsh irritants that can upset your skin, just our purest possible skin-loving ingredients with added vitamins, for natural healthy-looking skin. Simple, the UK’s No. 1 Facial Skincare brand,* launched in the U.S. in February 2012 with 13 products - cleansers, moisturizers, eye care products and wipes – that are hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and pH balanced to gently yet effectively address the needs of the 58% of women with sensitive skin**. Simple is sold at mass-market retailers drug stores and online.

¹ Source: AOL On.