Presented by Theater J, Honey Brown Eyes is a play following two men at the outbreak of the war in the Balkans in 1992. The two men, one a Serbian paramilitary soldier and another a Bosnian resistance fighter each try to recover a little of their lost humanity through unlikely partnerships and self reflection. You can see the play written by Stefanie Zadrevec and directed by Jessica Lefkow at the Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater through November 30th. With a special offer use the code BOGO to buy one ticket and get one free when purchasing tickets on the show website. If you have any questions contact Becky Peters at becky@theaterj.org.
At the Run for Congo Women in Chicago one runner went above and beyond to not only support women of the Congo with her participation but to spread the word about this powerful movement. Running with her children, Charise Carter took a video of her day beginning with her arrival at the park and following her through the Run for Congo Women. Along with footage of the run and some activities before and after, you can see Priscilla Muntemba Taylor, Women for Women International’s Sponsorship Coordinator for DRC, Rwanda, and Sudan speak about the organization and sponsorship program. Charise’s video will give you an idea of the energy and enthusiasm surrounding the whole event!
By shooting this video and posting it on YouTube for anyone to see, Charise is able to reach out to so many more people and spread the word about this powerful grassroots movement that tells the world that Congolese lives matter. Thank you Charise for sharing your experience with us and for doing all you can to help women in the Congo!
You can view the video below and learn how you too can become a part of the movement at www.runforcongowomen.org.
Jill Cantor Lee has used her love of horses to inspire her community to empower women in need. Cantor-Lee, a former Aid worker in Africa, started Horses for Humanity after watching an episode of Oprah featuring Women for Women International. Her mission is to share the privilege and beauty of horse dressage (a training technique which accentuates a horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to perform) with those who have been affected by atrocities of war and violence.
Horses for Humanity’s first program entails the contribution, training, and selling of a dressage horse. Logan, Horse for Humanity’s first horse for sale, is an 11- year-old Danish gelding currently being trained by Jill. All proceeds from Logan’s sale will be contributed to Women for Women International. For more information, please visit the website. Jill, along with her great team (including a saddle maker, vet, vet acupuncturist and chiropractor, horse transporter, and masseurs), are all contributing their extraordinary efforts and talents to this wonderful program to benefit women survivors of war. This year alone Jill and her friends have raised close to $6,000 in donations. Thank you Jill for all the work you do to empower women worldwide!
A group of local artists from Kennebunkport, Maine decided to raise awareness for Women for Women International using their unique and creative efforts in “Bearing Witness,” an exhibit displaying art that brings its viewers into the lives of women survivors of war. The proceeds of the event benefited Women for Women International.
Christine Ingewerson, organizer of the event, said she got the idea for “Bearing Witness” by reflecting on the views in her own life, the view from her studio, her kitchen window, her backyard. Realizing the luck that had given her such serene perspectives, she decided that she needed to connect images of conflict to those around her. Using materials collected from her back yard, Christine has brought the stories of women survivors of war into her community using her stunning talents. The event took place on August 22, 2008 in Kennebunkport, Maine and was a shining success. Thank you Christine and fellow artists for sharing your unique and beautiful perspectives in support of empowering women worldwide!
Enjoy an evening of early holiday shopping and benefit Women for Women International! Eight jewelry and craft designers are selling their work with a percentage of the proceeds to benefit Women for Women International.
Artist and first time author Caryn West has written The Trouble with the Alphabet: Through the Eyes of Innocence, a story of human rights violations and their impact on the children who suffer from them. Through beautiful artwork and compelling stories, Caryn strives to enlighten her readers about the truths of suffering for women all over the world today. She then goes on to use her compelling book as a call to action for all who read it. Women for Women International is one of the organizations Caryn has highlighted! Check out the YouTube video to spread the word and buy the book at The Trouble with the Alphabet Website.
The Trouble with the Alphabet will be officially launched at the Ditto Gallery Friday, October 24 from 5-9pm. The Ditto Gallery located at 1224 Speer Blvd in Denver, Colorado is known for bringing social concerns to light and highlighting artists who strive to make a difference. At the Ditto Gallery website you can read about the exhibit which will feature Women for Women International and the work we do with women survivors of war on a wall of supported organizations. The free exhibit will run from the launch on October 24 until December 20th so be sure to check it out if you are in the area.
The Trouble with the Alphabet is a beautiful example of the diverse and creative ways through which anyone can spread awareness and stimulate change.
The Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School Women Surviving War (WSW) Club is whipping up more than just delicious treats. To raise money for the women in our program, the students in WSW are holding another bake sale at their school. Not only do they raise funds and share experiences of women survivors of war with their school but the students in WSW sponsor a woman in Afghanistan.
Here is a drawing their art teacher has done for their club. They are really making their support of Women for Women International a school-wide effort! Read about their past efforts! Every cookie helps, thank you WSW for all your work!
Over 200 of the country’s most successful women from top businesses and organization joined together in Cooper Mountain, Colorado this September for a retreat like no other. This luxury retreat is intended specifically for “women ready for education, inspiration and transformation.” Lasting only two and half days, the women who attend this retreat take away a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will change their lives as they connect with one another and learn more about themselves in a relaxed setting.
The women of Camp Experience not only change their own lives but they go a step further and change the lives of other women. Through the giving of their participants, Camp Experience raised more than 20 sponsorships from Women for Women International!
During the retreat, several inspiring women are honored with the Women who Rock Award. This year one of the women honored was Seida Saric, country director in the Bosnia Chapter Office of Women for Women International.
CampExperience will take place next year from September 15 – 17, 2009. You can learn more on their website at http://www.campexperience.com/index.html. Thank you Camp Experience for you support of women survivors of war and for joining us in recognition of all that can be done when women join together.
Monica McGuire was so affected by what she saw during the 60 Minutes segment on women in the Congo that she knew right away she had to find someway to get involved. Visiting the Run for Congo Women site and learning about the different ways she could participate, Monica decided to dedicate the half marathon she was training for to the women of DRC. Receiving a huge outpouring of support from friends and family, Monica raised more than $3,300!
Knowing her efforts were for a greater cause helped Monica feel more motivated during her run. She says, “While the course was a bit tougher than I thought it would be, remembering the cause for which I was running helped me across the finished line feeling inspired.” Thank you Monica for all you’ve done and congratulations on your first half marathon!
Andrea Price went all out for her birthday this year. In place of gifts, Andrea asked her friends to please make a donation to Women for Women International. Andrea’s birthday donations amounted to more than $2,850! Happy Birthday Andrea – thank you for sharing your celebration with women survivors of war.
Posted by Jen Morabito 
Posted by Jen Morabito 
Posted by Jen Morabito 
