ATLANTA, GA–(Marketwire – October 2, 2010) –  Music and film star Tim McGraw took the stage in Atlanta this evening to accept the True Ally Award from Men Stopping Violence at the 2010 Men Stopping Violence Annual Awards Dinner. 

The dinner recognizes individuals who have dedicated time and resources to fostering safety and justice for women. It is the primary annual fundraiser for Men Stopping Violence (www.menstoppingviolence.org).

Award-winning playwright Pearl Cleage received The Kathleen Carlin Justice Seekers Award, named for the founding executive director of Men Stopping Violence. McGraw and Herman “Skip” Mason Jr., author, historian and president of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, accepted the True Ally Awards, which recognize men of conscience, allies who use their influence to advocate for safety, equality and respect for women and girls. Dr. Frank Ostrowski posthumously received the Dick Bathrick Activist Award, given to a man who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the work to end violence against women. Ostrowski co-founded Alternatives to Violent Acts, a precursor to the Men Stopping Violence organization.

“This dinner is a time when we pause to acknowledge our work and the work of others who are committed to this cause. It is a connecting point for men and women working to build a strong community of allies and who join our mission to provide resources for building safer communities for women and girls,” said Shelley Serdahely, executive director of Men Stopping Violence.

The Men Stopping Violence Annual Awards Dinner was held at The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta. For more information, visit www.menstoppingviolence.org or call (404) 270-9894.

Working with his wife, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw has helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for battered women’s shelters in Tennessee. His dedication to honesty and integrity has helped make him not only a country music superstar, but one of the biggest names in all of music today. In his record-shattering career, McGraw has sold over 40 million albums, and dominated the charts with 31 Number One singles. Since the release of his debut album in 1993, he has won three Grammys, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association Awards, and 10 American Music Awards, while simultaneously maintaining a parallel career as a successful actor.

Men Stopping Violence specializes in training, educating, and collaborating with allies in a variety of communities with the goal of connecting people who want to end violence against women. For more information, visit www.menstoppingviolence.org. The 2010 Men Stopping Violence Annual Awards Dinner is sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Georgia Power, Sutherland, Graphic Communications and Turner.