Cultural Dynamics: Women's Voices a success!

On Thursday, March 4th the Refugee and Immigrant Women for Change Coalition hosted a luncheon at Plaza Verde in Minneapolis to kick-off a new initiative to promote gender equity in Minnesota. Over 130 people were estimated in attendance throughout the event and nearly $800 was raised to support the cause.

The theme of the luncheon was Cultural Dynamics: Women's Voices and featured keynote speaker Leymah Gbowee. Other speakers included Doris Parker of the Liberian Women's Initiative, Gloria Edin of CAPI, and Bryan Thao Worra of the Lao Assistance Center.

Recently formed, the Refugee and Immigration Women for Change Coalition partner agencies are building stronger families and communities! Current members include: African Health Action, CAPI, Centro, Lao Assistance Center,Liberian Women’s Initiative,Sewa - AIFW and WISE. Over time, more partners are encouraged to join the coalition to help community members engage with these timely issues.

The keynote speaker Leymah Roberta Gbowee is the executive director of the Women Peace and Security Network Africa, based in Accra, Ghana. She was a founding member of the Women in Peacebuilding Program/West African Network for Peacebuilding (WIPNET/WANEP). The Women's Leadership Board at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government honored her with the prestigious Blue Ribbon Peace Award. Ms. Gbowee and the women of Liberia were awarded the Profiles in Courage Award by the Kennedy Library Foundation.
The lunch was free for those who gave an RSVP. Future events are planned for the community to provide leadership training, networking opportunities and access to key resources to help refugee and immigrant communities tap into their full potential.