Join ACT FOR CONGO this Mother’s Day to show your support for Congolese victims of war

 

ACT FOR CONGO is an initiative of actors and artists collaborating to spread awareness about the conflict in the Congo through public demonstrations, exhibitions, and performances. The movement includes actors, artists, musicians, writers, photographers, singers, illustrators, filmmakers, dancers, students, seniors—and everything in between. 

 

Join ACT FOR CONGO on Mother’s Day, May 10, 2009 in Times Square/Union Square in New York City to raise awareness about the atrocities that women and children face every day in the Congo. This event is not a protest, but a demonstration of “inspired action” to send a message of hope and support to those living in the Congo.

 

We invite you to ACT with us.  Join the movement. Or stage your own. For more information about the event or what you can do to participate, visit http://www.actforcongo.com or e-mail info@actforcongo.com

 

Lisa Shannon joins the Enough Project and STAND for On the Road Speakers Tour

 

On March 3, the On the Road Speakers Tour stopped by UC Berkeley to educate students about the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The panel included actress and activist Robin Wright Penn, Jimmie Briggs, an award-winning journalist and author, Candice Knezevic from the Enough Project, Francisca Thelin, and Lisa Shannon, founder of Run for Congo Women. The On the Road tour visited UC Berkeley after holding a discussion at also Oregon State University the day before.

 

The On the Road Speakers tour builds awareness and presents a message of hope to engage individuals and groups to advocate for the protection and empowerment of Congolese Women and girls. The panel presented information about the conflict in the Congo and the resulting epidemic of sexual violence against women and girls. Francisca Thelin, a Congolese-American, shared first-hand accounts of the challenges facing Congolese women.

 

YOU can show your support for Congolese women and children. Join the movement of activists who can advocate effectively for change by visiting http://www.raisehopeforcongo.org/. 

 

Students can join STAND as they seek to unite students around the world in a permanent anti-genocide constituency by checking out http://www.standnow.org/.

 

Join Ananda Shala for Congo Silent Auction and Awareness Event

 

Ananda Shala Yoga and Pilates Studio in Frederick, Maryland is committed to bringing the community together to share, grow, and uplift the body and spirit. Their commitment extends beyond the Frederick community- Ananda Shala has been continually involved in to supporting women and children in the Congo as they re-build their lives and communities.

 

Join Ananda Shala on Friday April 3, 8 to 11pm for an evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres, music, and community building. The Congo Silent Auction and Awareness Event will feature various gift baskets, gift certificates, and other products to raise funds for the women and children of Congo.

 

RSVP to Ananda Shala at (301) 682-9642 or visit http://www.anandashala.com .

 

This event will sponsor Run for Congo Women. To learn more about Run for Congo Women, visit http://www.runforcongowomen.org/ .

 

Registration for Run for Congo Women in Frederick, Maryland is now open. Click here to get started!

Women for Women International’s Lyric Thompson to speak about women’s activism in an “Administration of Change.”

What Now? Feminist Activism in an Administration of Change” Panel at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

 Campus Progress joins the University of Michigan College Democrats Women’s Caucus and Students for Choice to examine the status of women’s activism in today’s new era of progressivism and change. Women for Women International’s policy analyst, Lyric Thompson, Beverly Fish, president of the Washtenaw County National Organization for Women, and Kay Steiger, columnist at RHRealityCheck.org, will address these possibilities, as well as the new challenges for advancing women’s rights in the United States and abroad.

The event will be held on Thursday. March 26 from 7:30-8:30 pm at the U-Club, Michigan Union. 530 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109.

This event is sponsored by Campus Progress, the University of Michigan College Democrats, and Students for Choice. For more information, please email speakers@campusprogress.org.

 

The Rallye Aicha des Gazelles participants featured on ESPN!

Donna and Caroline’s Gazelle Truck with WfWI logo

 

 

Last year, Donna DeWick and Caroline Boyes, of London, UK trained extensively and participated in The Rallye Aicha des Gazelles (Rally of the Gazelles), a two week, all-women rally through the landscapes and deserts of Morocco. Donna and Caroline used this opportunity to support women survivors of war and raised over $2000 for Women for Women International’s programs. Read more about Donna and Caroline’s amazing journey here.

 

ESPN recently highlighted this two week competition and celebration of women’s strength and resilience in ESPN Magazine. You can watch the video about the rally on ESPN’s website.

 

This year’s Rally of the Gazelles 2009 is underway now. Visit their website for clips and updates about the 100 teams of women that are trekking across Morocco in this intense competition

The Pajama Party supports Women for Women International

The Pajama Party is committed to strengthening the bonds of sisterhood. The Pajama Party provides the Ultimate Girlfriend Weekend Getaway – a weekend of pampering with world class services and amenities, outstanding cuisine, and unsurpassed comfort. The Ultimate Girlfriend Weekend Getaway is a time to rejuvenate, reconnect and relive all that is wonderful. It’s a girl’s getaway without responsibilities, a special and unique time devoted to YOU and strengthening the bonds of female friendships.

 

The Pajama Party is also committed to strengthening sisterhood by its continued involvement and support for Women for Women International. At the most recent Pajama Party in Jasper, Alberta, women raised over $1200 to support Women for Women International’s programs! Their donations will help provide the women we serve with the tools they need to re-build their families, communities, and ultimately, their nations. Thank you to Helene Ossen and participants of The Pajama Party for your involvement and support for women survivors of war.

 

Women from all over come to enjoy the friendship and sisterhood The Pajama Party provides, sharing wisdom, stories, secrets, support and laughter with each other – as only women can. To learn more, visit their website at http://www.thepajamaparty.info/

Media Alert – Women for Women International on PBS’s The NewsHour

Who: Women for Women International Staff and Participants in Afghanistan

What: PBS’s The NewsHour

When: Friday, March 20 at 7pm ET (check local listings)

PBS The NewsHour correspondent Margaret Warner visited our offices in Afghanistan to view first hand the status of women in Afghanistan and how women in war-torn regions are rebuilding their lives. 

Afghan women are facing enormous obstacles.

• 85.1% of women have no formal education
• 74% of girls drop out of school by 5th grade
• Only 1% of girls in rural communities attends school
• Nearly 79% of women are illiterate
• The average salary is just 48 cents a day
• On average, Afghan women give birth to 7 children
• 1 out of 8 women die from causes related to pregnancy or child birth

But since Women for Women International began working in Afghanistan in 2002, more than 38,000 women have received training to help them reclaim and rebuild their lives. As attitudes towards women and gender roles shift, women can claim equal partnership and responsibility for the future of their country

Join us in viewing this powerful The NewsHour on Friday March 20 at 7pm ET or check your local listings.

Learn more about Women for Women International’s work in Afghanistan.

La Montiel Studio celebrates International Women’s Day with dance, song, and dialogue

Nancy and Maria, owner of La Montiel Studio

To commemorate International Women’s Day, La Montiel Studio in Warwick, New York organized a day full of song, dance, martial arts, reflection, and dialogue. The diverse community in Warwick came together to share their passions, talents, and support for women survivors of war. Throughout the day, guests participated in Argentine tango, Hawaiian women’s story dance, women’s self defense, Quigong, and jazz.

 

Thank you Nancy Boynton and La Montiel Studio for hosting such a wonderful event!

 

Community events like the one held at La Montiel Studio are instrumental in mobilizing support and awareness for women in post-conflict areas as they re-build their lives, their communities, and ultimately, their nations. To learn how you can host your own event at your home, place of business, yoga studio, or anywhere, click here to get started.

Discover your Self-Worth with Dr. Cheryl Saban

“Uncover, rediscover and express the worth that is innately yours.” -Dr. Cheryl Saban

 

 

What is Your Self-Worth: A Women’s Guide to Validation is a self-help book written by Dr. Cheryl Saban, a leading psychologist and philanthropist. Dr. Saban’s book focuses on inspiring women to take control of their lives and use it to influence society. Determined to help women discover their self-worth, Dr. Saban hopes to spread the word of self-actualization of power to women all over the globe. With support and insight from top women leaders, Dr. Saban outlines a guide for women to utilize their own self-worth as a tool to change the world.

 

Get inspired and literally take a page from Dr. Saban’s book. One hundred percent of the author’s proceeds from this book will benefit charitable women’s funds—through the Women’s Funding Network.

 

For more information on Dr. Saban and her book, What is your Self-Worth: A Women’s Guide to Validation, please visit: http://www.whatisyourselfworth.com/index.php

Maine Law hosts event to support Women for Women International

Students, faculty, and staff attended an event held on March 5, in celebration of International Women’s Day. The event was successful in raising awareness of women survivors of war and gathering support for Women for Women International’s programs.

 

You can engage members of your community to support women survivors of war re-build their lives. If you’re interested in hosting an informational event at your school or workplace, visit Women for Women International’s Get Involved page or e-mail us at events@womenforwomen.org .