Release date – 1999

Karen McLean is a close friend of Richard Samuels. She has been performing with his band for quite some time. She has a wonderful soulful voice. Not so long ago, Karen came to Richard's house with some lyrics and a melody she had written about an on-going situation she had been dealing with. She was a victim of spousal abuse. Richard was so moved by what he heard, that he decided to produce and record the song, "Proud To Be A Woman". He assembled some of Toronto's finest session players about two weeks before his move to California and recorded a demo of the song.

Shortly after his move to California, he began spreading the word about this very powerful song that he became part of. One thing has lead to another. The song "Proud To Be A Woman" has now been performed in Washington DC at the First National Rally To End Domestic Violence Against Women", in San Diego the song is being used by The San Diego Domestic Violence Council as there theme song. It is also being featured on KFMB radio 760 on there weekly one hour talk show dealing specifically with Domestic Violence.

Karen McLean has also performed the song for International Women's Day in Toronto. Most recently "Proud To Be A Woman" was also performed in Phoenix Arizona at a fund raiser for Florence Crittenton, the largest, oldest existing shelter for domestic violence victims in Arizona.

Richard's goal is to unite as many of the top female singers that he can from around the world, i.e. Celine, Shania, Alanis, Mariah, Faith Hill, Barbara Streisand, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, etc... to have them all take part in the recording of "Proud To Be A Woman" would be a dream come true.

The funds raised from the sale and airplay of the CD would go towards building and strengthening Women's Abuse Shelters across the country. A music video would also accompany the release of the single.

For more information about "Proud To Be A Woman, contact Richard Samuels at coral@uf.znet.com