April 9, 1997
From my window aboard Air France, I watched the streaks of sunlight as the sun rose over South Africa. I was so excited. We landed and you greeted us, security in tact, and then after your phone call, we were taken to meet Mr Mandela for lunch. I have no words to describe how thrilled we all were and how honored I felt in his presence. He is a gift.

The Crystal Awards were inspiring. We all felt so appreciated by everyone. We feel such hope and again I encourage men and women in South Africa to follow their dream

After our trip to Cape Town, and visiting Parliament, we now know that the only way to fully understand South Africa is to have been there. Each day of my journey I thought it couldn't get better than the one before. Thank you for my enlightenment.

Blue Andre'
Film Producer MTM International
VP Women In Film-Los Angeles

April 29, 1997
Just a short not (and not the final one) to extend, on behalf of everyone at Timbull Rorich Neville - a huge congratulations for the many miracles you pulled off for Women In Film South Africa. I really can appreciate the long hours and dedication required to execute what can only be termed as a massive leap of the imagination. Your vision and perseverance must be saluted and we do salute you. Thanks again for the hard work and for creating industry solidarity.

Dezi Rorich
Managing Director
Timbull Rorich Neville
Motion Picture Marketing International

Dear Merrilee:

Two years when you walked in my door and introduced yourself as an American actress who had an idea, I had no clue the types of things you had in store for the South African film industry. But, you sold me on your ideas, and convinced me you could make things happen. As Executive Director on the board, you had me supporting you, and you didn't just have me, but you attracted the top filmmakers of South Africa. Your accomplishments are amazing, and you are an incredible asset to South Africa's film and television industry. Your professionalism, brutal honesty in the face of failure, and perserverance is an example for all of us. We will miss you.

Best Wishes,
Moonyeen Lee
Moonyeen Lee Associates

May 30, 1997

Dear Merrilee
I heard about the great job you did in South Africa for the Crystals. I think you are amazing!!! What you have accomplished on behalf of all Women In Film is just fabulous. I wish you and yours the best of luck in Sweden. Wow, talk about a change in atmosphere.

Best Always,
Iris Grossman
Vice President of Casting
Turner Broadcasting
Los Angeles

Sept 30, 1997

Merrilee, congratulations on all that you have done. You know that I have been a great skeptic of any kind of industry organization due to the apathy of most of our members… but I have to hand it to you, you got it together. I know how much energy, hard work and disillusion you must have gone through. You can be really proud of yourself, you leave an operating and active organization that you have got up and running in a year- that is a great accomplishment. This is only due to your constant efforts, your tireless pushing and crusading and your amazing ability to get people's support - I hope the new board that follows in your lead will not let things slip away. Your newsletters have always been informative, your functions and events fun, and your energy limitless. I wish you all the best for the future and am sure that whatever you put your energy into in the future will succeed - those poor Swedes … do they know what is about to hit them?

Desiree Markgraff
The Shooting Party
Box 651452
Johannesburg 2010
Tel: (+27 11) 880 7470
Fax: (+27 11) 880 7925
E-mail: tsp@iafrica.com

December 20, 2001

In May 2001 Merrilee Kick was engaged by production company Jarowskij as news anchor for a weekly news show ordered by telecom and datacom giant Ericsson. The news show called 5minutes is broadcasted to all of Ericsson's employees worldwide on the Ericsson intranet.

In May, the project got a go ahead. Merrilee was engaged on short notice for the start up phase of the project (20 weeks). Merrilee had a good reputation in voice-overing and starring in commercial films.

We are pleased by the professionalism and on-camera appearance shown by Mrs Kick. She is a natural in front of the camera and has no problem in shifting gear, from the serious to the funny. Merrilee Kick has a serious attitude towards work. We liked that during these 20 weeks.

Nicklas Mattsson
Executive producer, 5minutes
Creative director, Jarowskij Media

January 31, 2003

Thank you. I have appreciated working with you, the fresh perspective
you bring and especially your enthusiasm. I'll keep you posted as to how this all unfolds.

Best,
Chip Richie
Richie Film Productions
Six Decades of Creative Motion Picture Excellence

A Tribute: Merrilee Kick
by CCH Pounder

I want to share an experience with you about a young woman named Merrilee Kick, but the setup of our encounter was so fantastic, I've got to spend time telling you the events leading up to meeting this remarkable woman.

The night after Artists For A New South Africa screening of Mandela, Alfre Woodard came dashing up the aisles and asked me if I'd like to go to South Africa. Without hesitation I said YES, and in no time I found myself on an Air France plane with Blue Andre', Latanya Richardson and Alfre winging our way to Paris en route to Johannesburg. The magic of our stopover in Paris, though we did not know it then, foretold the enchantment that was about to unfold. We slipped out of Charles de Gaulle Airport, found the right cabby, who not only whisked us into Paris where we roamed, shopped, dined but also waited for us at the appointed hour to take us back to the airport to catch our South African connection.

Eleven hours later we arrived in Johannesburg. No matter how many meals movies or great conversations we may have had, it's a grueling trip, so as we piled out of the plane, rag-tag and worn, who was there to greet us? The unassuming Merrilee Kick. She made sure all of our bags had arrived and herded us like a den mother to a waiting car. A phone call came to her phone for Alfre requesting, provided we were not too tired an audience, our presence to join "Madiba" himself. You should have seen us spring into action for lunch with Nelson Mandela!

We dashed for the cars, sped to the hotel, whipped out crushed dresses, pressed and dressed ourselves faster than you can say "Pretoria here we come!" President Nelson Mandela greeted us in his home and we sat at lunch, overwhelmed that it was just the President and four Women In Film ladies eating curry and rice and talking showbiz! I could not help but think of the power of "One".

This brings me back to Merrilee and the first South African Women In Film Crystal Awards. Merrilee hails from Texas and Texans have a reputation of doing things in a big way. She did not disappoint. This young lady and her committee managed to get just about the entire "who's who" in South African film. She filled an entire ballroom of the Sandton Hotel with writers, editors, technicians, producers, directors and their friends and colleagues to the first Crystal Awards honoring women and men in their respective fields. It was like watching a garden being watered after a drought. Merrilee created such excitement and appreciation in that ballroom that people hung around after it was over not wanting to leave! Now this is where the power of "One" comes in.

I understand that Merrilee begged, cajoled, and persuaded her sponsors to take part in this great first-time event, and because of her charming persistence, they all fell under her enthusiastic and hardworking spell and came up with ways and means for this event to be the rip-roaring success that it was. Now get this: Merrilee decided to put Women In Film on the map in South Africa because she had followed her husband who had a work assignment there and was trying to think of something to occupy her time! If this one woman could do so much in so little time and leave a legacy for the women and men in South Africa, imagine what a truck load of us could do around the world if we were so inclined.

Remember her name: an ordinary actress doing commercials and theatre in regional Texas, bringing hope, esteem and recognition to women and men in film, continents away, simply because she wanted to make a difference … MERRILEE KICK.

CCH Pounder can currently be seen on two television series, The Shield, ER and Millennium, and in the film Face/Off with John Travolta and Nicholas Cage. CCH received an Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series" for her role in Fox's X-Files, and a Grammy Award nomination for "Best Spoken Word Album" for Grow Old Along With Me, The Best Is Yet To Come. Other landmark roles include the films Baghdad Café' and HBO's "If These Walls Could Talk".