Tony Award Winner Cherry Jones to Receive Courage Award At Point Foundation's Annual Benefit 9/26

Point Foundation (Point), the nation's largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students of merit, today announced the recipients of its Courage and Inspiration Awards. Two-time Tony Award winner (The Heiress, Doubt) and current Emmy nominee (24), Cherry Jones, will receive the Point Courage Award; Motorola will receive the Point Inspiration Award. The awards will be presented at Point's annual Los Angeles benefit, Point Honors, which will be held on September 26, 2009 at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel in Los Angeles.

The Point Courage Award recognizes an individual who has advocated for the future of the LGBT community and lives with the vision that investing in today's potential will produce a brighter tomorrow. The Point Inspiration Award recognizes a corporation that champions respect and inclusion of the LGBT community, and operates with the vision that the success achieved by talented young people is limited only by the resources and opportunities they are given to help them fulfill their potential.

"In addition to being one of the most respected actresses in her profession, Cherry Jones has lived her life unapologetically as an out lesbian and is a shining example of courage to all individuals fighting for equality. More importantly, Ms. Jones gives hope to young people everywhere including our Point Scholars," said Jorge Valencia, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Point Foundation.

"I was honored and humbled when I learned that I would receive the Point Courage Award," said Ms. Jones. "The Point Foundation is a wonderful organization, granting scholarships to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students across America, and I am proud to be associated with such a worthy cause."

Students who are awarded the organization's prestigious scholarships, known as Point Scholars, are selected through a rigorous and highly competitive process that requires a record of demonstrated academic excellence, leadership skills and financial need. A number of Point Scholars will attend the benefit.

"Motorola's commitment to the LGBT community, as well as their unfailing support of Point Foundation's leadership conferences and events, continues to inspire and motivate other corporations and individuals to invest in the future through the education of our young people," said Valencia. "We're excited to recognize their achievements on behalf of the community."

"Motorola is honored to be recognized by the Point Foundation in its receipt of the Point Inspiration Award," said Greg Lee, senior vice president of human resources for Motorola. "We are proud of our continued involvement with the Point Foundation and support its mission through our commitment to fostering diversity, encouraging talent, and building a culture that thrives on inclusion and respect."

Ticket and table sales opportunities are available now. Call 323.933.1234 or visit www.pointfoundation.org to purchase. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting Jeff Mack - jeff@pointfoundation.org 323.933.1234 x224.

Point Foundation (Point) is the nation's largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students of merit. Point provides financial support, leadership training, mentoring and hope to LGBT individuals who are marginalized because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Point provides its scholars with the financial ability to attend the nation's foremost higher educational institutions and its donors and mentors with the rare satisfaction of directly investing their resources and time in future generations of leaders.

For more information about Point Foundation, please visit www.pointfoundation.org. Point Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization.

Actress Cherry Jones graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a B.F.A. in drama. Her talent and passion for performing led her to Broadway where she took the stage by storm and captured the attention of theater-goers and critics alike.

Jones is currently Emmy nominated for Best Supporting Actress -- Drama for her portrayal of U.S. President Allison Taylor on the hit Fox-TV series, 24. One of the most acclaimed actresses in the Broadway scene, Jones is a two-time Tony Award winner for The Heiress and Doubt. Other Broadway highlights include Our Country's Good (Tony nomination), The Night of the Iguana, A Moon for the Misbegotten (Tony nomination), Imaginary Friends, Major Barbara and Faith Healers.

Jones has also left her mark on the big screen. She will be seen this fall in Mira Nair's Amelia opposite Hilary Swank, and has been seen in numerous critically acclaimed films including Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's Twelve and Erin Brokovich, The Horse Whisperer directed by Robert Redford, Wolfgang Petersen's The Perfect Storm and M. Night Shyamalan's The Village and Signs opposite Mel Gibson.

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