Angela Shelton's Bio

Rosie O’Donnell says, “Angela Shelton is amazing.  She speaks for every abused person who has lived through the same hell.”  Comedian, Jamie Kennedy says, “Angela Shelton didn’t just make a movie; she started a movement.”   At the age of twenty-seven, writer and actress, Angela Shelton, who had already received accolades for her previous movie, “Tumbleweeds,” set out to create a documentary during the Writer’s Strike.  Her goal was to survey women in America by interviewing the women who shared her name.  She threw a party to raise funds and convinced a crew of four to go on the road for 60 days in a rented motor home. 

As Angela started interviewing other Angela Sheltons she found that 70% had been victims of rape, childhood sexual assault and/or domestic violence.  This surprising journey also led Angela to confront her own abusive past and her pedophile father on Father’s Day.  The multi-award winning documentary Searching for Angela Shelton has started a grassroots movement of healing for survivors of abuse of all genders.  

The documentary has won over twelve awards including the Newport Beach Film Festival’s Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking, the Durango Film Festival’s Audience Award, the Memphis International Film Festival’s Best Documentary Award and the Asheville, North Carolina’s Audience Award and Best Documentary Award.

The documentary and Angela’s story have captured media attention.   Angela and her brother, Steve, appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and CBS’s 48 Hours Investigates. The hour-long special on CBS won 48 Hours Investigates the Shine Award for excellence in media.  Two exclusive versions of Searching for Angela Shelton will air on Lifetime Television for Women in April 2006. 

Angela not only inspires trauma survivors to heal, she is the superhero, Safe Side Super Chick, who teaches children how to be safe in the Safe Side video series created by Baby Einstein creator, Julie Clark, and America’s Most Wanted creator, John Walsh.  Angela is currently shooting a new Safe Side video while writing a script for a major motion picture studio about her travels while making the documentary.

Angela produces an internet blog dedicated to survivors of abuse, sends out an e-mail newsletter to over 8000 people and growing and receives approx. 500 e-mails and letters a month from survivors of violence and incest.

Angela has quickly become recognized as one of the more outspoken voices for survivors of trauma.   Her mission is to inspire and empower all survivors of abuse to heal and lead joyful lives.  Today, Angela travels the world, bringing her message of healing to audiences worldwide.

Achievements

Angela Shelton won a regional Emmy for her performance as the host of The Safe Side video series in 2005

Angela Shelton spoke before a Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues in Washington, DC about the epidemic of abuse and the need for tougher laws on offenders. 

The mayor of Asheville, North Carolina signed a proclamation making November 6th, 2004 ANGELA SHELTON DAY in honor of abuse survivors.

Angela Shelton was presented with the Voice of CourageAward for speaking out about the epidemic of abuse on national television from Darkness to Light, an organization with the goal of ending childhood sexual abuse.

Angela Shelton was presented with the Humanitarian Award from Umpqua Community College in Oregon in 2005. 

Angela received the Award for Distinguished Service and Excellence in Film Media from The Leadership Council for Child Abuse and Interpersonal Violence and the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Institute in 2005.