Actress Bebe Neuwirth Honors Five 'Expressive' Women With $5,000 for Their Creative Passions

NEW YORK, July 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whether a stay-at-home mom or a hot Broadway actress, women need a creative way to express themselves outside their "day jobs." Today at a special event in New York City, award-winning actress Bebe Neuwirth honored five talented women for doing just that. The winners of the first-ever "Wheat Thins Expressions" national contest -- with talents ranging from photography to creating unique faerie wings -- were awarded $5,000 to pursue their personal passions and will become the "face of Wheat Thins" when their expressions are featured on special-edition box of Wheat Thins crackers.

Understanding that creative expression is a healthy and rewarding part of life, Wheat Thins launched the contest in February to find women whose creative passions can serve as an inspiration to others.

"I'm honored to help Wheat Thins recognize the importance of creative expression and celebrate women for their passions, especially since expression is so important in my own life" said Neuwirth, a behind-the-scenes pottery buff, who most recently starred as Roxie Hart in "Chicago" on Broadway. "I'm impressed with the women honored here today and hope others are inspired to pursue their passions." Neuwirth, who has created original pottery for the last 20 years, says it enhances her daily life because it's time that she spends creating for no other reason than the pure joy of it.

About The Winners

Nearly 2,500 women entered the contest from February 12 through April 16. Entrants were required to submit one representation of how they express themselves through an activity, along with a 300-word (or fewer) original statement describing the expression and how it influences their life. The five grand-prize winners were selected based on creativity of expression, originality of expression and inspirational value of expression.

-- Travis Darcy (Fairfax, Calif.) embraces motherhood by crafting with her kids. -- Apryle Negron (Wilmington, NC) creates beautiful "faerie" wings, which she says encourage women to dream. -- Linda Trexler (Allentown, Penn.) takes a break from daily stresses through wheat weaving. -- Irma Guerra Perez (Fort Worth, Texas) crafts "Dicho pots" with prophetic sayings on them, which in the Hispanic culture are meant to inspire others. -- Paula Guhin (Aberdeen, SD) captures ordinary, everyday sights through her vivid photography.

"Often, I use 'ordinary' elements in my art which might seem all too familiar at first glance, like a boat dock or pillars outside a building. This aspect of my creative expression has made me alert to the possibilities that life holds and awakened me to artistic potential," said Guhin. "I hope that my photography and vision will help instill other women to awaken the need for creative expression and potential within their own lives."

About Wheat Thins

Wheat Thins crackers started the "Wheat Thins Expressions" campaign because of the brand's strong commitment to helping women lead balanced lifestyles. The Wheat Thins product line includes options to fit a variety of individuals' tastes and preferences, including Original, Sundried Tomato & Basil, Parmesan Basil, Harvest Five-Grain, Harvest Garden Vegetable, Multi- Grain, Ranch and new Lightly Cinnamon, as well as low sodium and reduced-fat options.

Kraft Foods is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies. For more than 100 years, we've offered consumers delicious and wholesome foods that fit the way they live. Millions of times a day, in more than 150 countries, consumers reach for their favorite Kraft brands. Whether it's breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack, consumers at home and on the go choose: Kraft cheeses, dinners and dressings; Oscar Mayer meats, DiGiorno pizzas, Oreo cookies, Ritz crackers and chips, Philadelphia cream cheese, Milka and Cote d'Or chocolates, Planters nuts, Honey Bunches of Oats cereals, Jacobs, Gevalia and Maxwell House coffees; Capri Sun, Crystal Light and Tang refreshment beverages; and a growing range of South Beach Diet and better-for- you Sensible Solution options.