I Am A Visual Statement (IAAVS)

IAAVS Welcomes TWO New Sisters!

2011-01-11T11:00:00.000-05:00

Due to the overwhelming support at our last event in October 2010, IAAVS was able to sponsor two new sisters!! These sisters are part of the Angel Program at W4W International. The Angel Program assists women who were once part of the one year program, but their sponsors had to stop sponsoring them. If these women do not find another sponsor, they are put into the Angel Program. We are excited to help both Sakina Moh Dil and Shefrige M Hoti.

Help us support W4W! To learnn more about the Angel Program go to http://www.womenforwomen.org/

Support the Women of Sudan

2011-01-11T10:53:00.002-05:00

IAAVS Welcomes our newest sponsored sister of Nigeria, Blessing Okafor

2010-09-22T13:34:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all of your support, we have a new sponsored sister named Blessing Okafor. We will have more details to share about her soon. Keep up the great support!

Our Sister in Rwanda Graduates!!!!

2010-09-22T13:31:00.000-04:00

We have officially received notice that our sponsored sister Laetitia Mukabarisa of Rwanda has completed her one year program successfully! We are so proud of her. We will keep you posted on her future goals.

Women For Women Media Alert

2010-09-13T18:03:00.000-04:00

Who: Zainab Salbi

What: PBS's The Newshour with Jim Lehrer

When: Monday, September 13 check your local listings

In response to recent violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Women for Women International founder and CEO Zainab Salbi will speak to Gwen Ifill tonight about her travels to the DRC, the state of women, and how the culture of rape and violence is invading the country.

Recently over 500 women, girls and babies may have been raped after rebels seized one town in the DRC, the UN reported. This type of violence is just a small example of the daily reality and the fear that the women we serve face daily.

Check your local listings to find out when this show will air.

Learn more about Women for Women International's work in the DR Congo.

Forward this message to a friend.

Women for Women International 4455 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20008

Signature Bartender Night hosted by I Am A Visual Statement (IAAVS) at the 191 Club in Atl, GA

2010-08-12T18:06:00.000-04:00

Signature Bartender Night hosted by I Am A Visual Statement (IAAVS) at the 191 Club in Atl, GA from Visual Statements Photo & Video on Vimeo.

2010-08-09T19:18:00.000-04:00

Vote for Georgia Center for Child Advocacy Today!

Help us choose the 5 organizations you think should share in our $100,000 project sponsorship fund!

In celebration of 40 years of Tom's of Maine supporting goodness, we intended to have our panel of judges select 40 organizations, but there was a tie so we are featuring 41 non-profit finalists doing great things in their communities.

Vote by clicking here:
www.tomsofmaine.com/community-involvement/living-well/finalists-overview/poll

Stop Child Abuse! Learn The Signs!

2010-08-02T20:12:00.001-04:00

Signature Bartender Night

2010-08-02T20:10:00.000-04:00

Grace

2009-12-01T15:24:00.000-05:00

You must learn to be still in the midst of activity

and to be vibrantly alive in repose.

Indira Gandhi, Indian politician

RSVP TODAY for the IAAVS Social Hour at One Ninety One Club

2009-11-17T09:00:00.011-05:00

If you have not RSVP’d for the I Am A Visual Statement (IAAVS) Social Hour on Friday, November 20, 2009 from 5:00-7:00pm at the exclusive One Ninety One Club in Downtown Atlanta, hurry and RSVP today via email to: info@iaavs.com and include your first and last name, contact information, number of guests, and how you found out about our event (IAAVS Blog, Twitter, MySpace, FaceBook, Evite, email from Natasha Foreman or Markesia Thomas Akinbami). Don’t forget that parking, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails are complimentary from 5:00-7:00pm.

If you need directions to the club or additional information regarding parking please indicate this in your email and a representative from our office will respond immediately with the details. We hope to see you on the 20^th!

I Wasn't Lucky...I Deserved It!

2009-11-16T08:00:00.001-05:00

“I wasn’t lucky. I deserved it”

-Margaret Thatcher

“Understand that the great things that happen to you aren’t given to you because of something called luck. You deserved it…you earned it…it was meant for you to have it. So refrain from saying, “I don’t know I guess I’m just lucky…” and simply say with a smile, “I deserved it”.”

-Natasha Foreman (reflection on quote by Margaret Thatcher)

2009-11-13T09:00:00.001-05:00

“What is success? I think it is a mixture of having a flair for the thing that you are doing;

knowing that it is not enough, that you have got to have hard work and a certain sense of purpose”

-Margaret Thatcher

Facing Life's Daily Challenges

2009-11-12T12:59:00.003-05:00

We all face challenges in life, some of us fall into valleys while others struggle to climb up to the mountain top…the difference between the person in the valley and the one climbing the side of the mountain is perseverance. Both people must look up and not look down in order to continue pulling themselves up to the next level. If you continue to focus on how far you must go to reach your goal you only find your journey extending farther beyond your expectations.

We must focus on how far we have come to get to this point and celebrate those small and large victories for what they are…victories. You made it another day and no matter what you’re going through you must realize and believe that IT IS a blessing! You must continue to have courage to continue to fight and grow; and faith that it can and will be done. I hope that all of my sisters young and old remember in times of turmoil, heartache and grief that, “…this too shall pass…”

- Natasha Foreman

Inspirational Quote from Helen Keller

2009-11-11T13:30:00.001-05:00

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows”

-Helen Keller

Still I'll Rise!

2009-11-10T14:16:00.002-05:00

You can write me down in history with hateful, twisted lies, you can tread me in this very dirt, but still, like dust, I'll rise.

Maya Angelou, Poet and Educator

No matter what you have gone through...you have endured...and you too can rise above it all and become a better, stronger, and wiser person...stand up and rise!

Natasha Foreman, Director of Change (reflecting on Maya Angelou's quote and her poem Still I Rise)

IAAVS is Hosting Another Social Hour November 20th at 191 Club

2009-11-09T09:00:00.006-05:00

We're back! Friday, November 20, 2009 I Am A Visual Statement, Inc. (IAAVS) will be hosting our second Social Hour at the exclusive One Ninety One Club in Downtown Atlanta. Our event is from 5:00-7:00pm and there will be plenty of complimentary house cocktails and tasty hors d'oeuvres to choose from. Guests have the opportunity to purchase our designer tees, speak with our Director of Possibilities, Markesia Thomas Akinbami and our Director of Change, Natasha Foreman; while learning more about I Am A Visual Statement and the charities we support.

We invite you to bring your friends, family and/or spouse...anyone who would be interested in purchasing a tee and helping our movement of possibility and change for women and girls worldwide!

Parking is complimentary for the first two hours. To RSVP please email info@iaavs.com and include your full name, the number of guests, and that you learned about the event from our IAAVS blog!

If you need directions or information about parking please inquire about this information in your email and a representative from our office will confirm receipt of your email and respond with the appropriate information.

We look forward to seeing each of you there on the 20th...rain, sleet or snow!!

You Have to Believe!

2009-10-27T12:21:00.002-04:00

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself,"I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along."

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

Eleanor Roosevelt, activist You Learn by Living

Inspiration to Draw From...

2009-10-26T11:52:00.000-04:00

Never give up, for that is just the place and time

that the tide will turn.

Harriet Beecher Stowe, writer

I decided it is better to scream.

Silence is the real crime against humanity.

Nadezhda Mandelstam, Russian writer, Hope Against Hope

Advanced Purchase Opportunity on I Am A Visual Statement Tees

2009-10-21T11:43:00.000-04:00

You did not read the title of this blog incorrectly...I Am A Visual Statement (IAAVS) sees the desire that the majority of you have for our upcoming 3/4 and full-length tees as many have requested the opportunity to purchase their tee in advanced so that they can be one of the first IAAVS customers to get their hands on our hot designs.

So how many of you would be interested in ordering your tee in advance and being the first to rock our longer sleeve tees? Contact us today!

http://www.iaavs.com

info@iaavs.com

877.793.0190

IAAVS Represented in Florida!

2009-10-14T22:21:00.000-04:00

Women all over are loving the I Am A Visual Statement designer t-shirts. Here is a picture of some of our customers in Florida who proudly wore their t-shirts to work...

Thank you ladies for your support and for helping us with our movement to

"Take a Stand...Give a Voice... and Be a Visual Statement".

The four of you are truly visual statements!

We hear that we'll be receiving pictures from New York very soon! We welcome all of our customers to send in pictures wearing your favorite IAAVS t-shirt, or pictures of you wearing all of the tees so that we can post your picture here on our blog!

IAAVS Social Hour October 2nd at the 191 Club

2009-10-12T14:16:00.003-04:00

As reported soon after the October 2nd IAAVS Social Hour, the event was a success. Despite unsure weather and poor traffic conditions, guests of I Am A Visual Statement arrived excited and ready to support the designer t-shirt line as well as the charities it supports. Visual Statements Photography was on scene to capture the evening as it unfolded...here are a few of the pictures from that evening.

The Nomad Grunge in Eggplant flew off the tables as the night progressed...women love eggplant!

I Am A Visual Statement would like to thank the One Ninety One Club for a wonderful evening, great food and drinks, and a great staff! We would also like to thank the members of the One Ninety One Club who also supported us with t-shirt purchases.

The evening was fun-filled and full of energy as women and men went from table to table selecting the shirts that they would leave with that evening.

At the end of the night everyone left with their t-shirts inside of their very own signature IAAVS bag

Helping Women and Girls...the Entire World Benefits

2009-10-11T19:30:00.000-04:00

Although this is something that women have been saying for many years it is becoming the standard topic of conversation throughout not only the United States but countries worldwide...when we help women and girls we all benefit. Forbes Magazine online version Forbes.com wrote an article discussing this need and sharing how the impact of organizations such as Women for Women International (the charity IAAVS supports) and others have made so far in impoverished nations; as well as providing statistics provided by the Nike Foundation on their Girls Effect website.

Forbes.com contributors Leila Leghmara and Felix Marquardt wrote that:

While girls around the world are not getting anywhere near the same investment in attention and education boys are, the phenomenon is not measured properly in many countries and empirical data is therefore scarce on the impact of women's education on societies. Still, the little data we do have suggests women are the single most important vector of progress in the world today--measured by any standards, including the World Bank's, the United Nations' or Amartya Sen's (Forbes, October 6, 2009).

From the research compiled it was said that when a girl in a developing country receives at least seven years of education, she marries four years later than the norm, and she 2.2 fewer children which directly impacts the economic growth...lowered birth rates and increased growth rates. This is more than enough motivation to support organizations such as Women for Women International with ongoing sponsorship of a woman, recurring donations, or participating in raising necessary monies through events and activities like the Run for Congo Women movement. Lend your support, help and woman so that you can help the world!

IAAVS Social Hour...S-U-C-C-E-S-S!

2009-10-03T17:16:00.000-04:00

The October 2nd Social Hour hosted by I Am A Visual Statement (IAAVS) was a complete success. The team would like to thank everyone that attended and purchased one or more of our tees. Special thanks to the One Ninety Club, its staff and members. We will be posting pictures from the event in the upcoming days. Stay tuned!

Women for Women International On Oprah Winfrey Show October 1st

2009-09-30T17:04:00.001-04:00

I Am A Visual Statement (IAAVS) is excited to share this wonderful news with our supporters. We are supporters of Women for Women International and hope that through our efforts and the efforts of others this exposure will bring even more aide to the women and children in these war-torn countries.The information provided below are excerpts from the Women for Women International newsletter that they released earlier today. The pictures are from the Women for Women International website.

Please share this information with your family, friends, and associates...and tune in on Thursday!

Watch Women for Women International on "The Oprah Winfrey Show” on Thursday, October 1, 2009 to see how sponsors are helping Congolese women rebuild their lives, families and communities.

"Today in the Democratic Republic of the Congo people are still struggling after one of the deadliest wars in all history. Millions died and new conflicts threaten peace every day. But because of your help, there is hope"(Women for Women International Newsletter).

Sponsor and supporter Lisa Shannon, founder of the Run for Congo Women, will speak with Oprah and talk about how her involvement with Women for Women International has changed her life and the lives of thousands of women survivors of war.

"Oprah, inspired by New York Times best-selling book "Half the Sky" by Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas Kristof and his wife, Sheryl WuDunn will deliver a call to action to women. This eye-opening hour reveals powerful stories of women overcoming adversity to realize a better life for themselves" (Women for Women International Newsletter).

Spread the Word

This is a great opportunity to share your passion for Women for Women International with your community.

You can post this to your social networking pages and let everyone know that you support us and plan to watch:

Be sure to watch "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Thursday, October 1st, where an organization I care about, Women for Women International, will be featured. Tune-in to the "Oprah" show this Thursday to hear Oprah's call to action and to see how we can actually change the course of history in our lifetime for women and girls around the world.

IAAVS On a Networking Mission!

2009-09-29T14:22:00.001-04:00

Today I Am A Visual Statement (IAAVS) Director of Possibilities, Markesia Thomas-Akinbami and Director of Change, Natasha Foreman will be representing the company at two wonderful networking events. Markesia will be at an event hosted by the Atlanta Business League (ABL) and Natasha will be at a Joy Of Connecting (JOC) event meeting with other female entrepreneurs within the Metro Atlanta area.

Both women look forward to sharing IAAVS with other women, businesses, and non-profit organizations to help propel the IAAVS motto and movement..."Take a Stand, Give a Voice, Be a Visual Statement".

Natasha said that the IAAVS movement is about, "...empowering women and girls worldwide with the knowledge and wisdom to know, understand and embrace that we all are Visual Statements and that we can overcome the odds no matter what has happened in our past, no matter what hurdles and obstacles lie in our paths, and no matter what anyone has to say about us. I believe that I will be meeting with like-minded women this evening who will share our passion and will consider hosting events and awareness parties with us and supporting our company through educating the masses and continued purchases."

When asked what she hopes to give and take away from tonight's event, Markesia said, "it will be great to be around other great women, to be inspired by these wonderful leaders and to gain their support for I Am A Visual Statement the t-shirt line, the company as a whole, the message we send, and the causes that we are so passionate about."

It will be nice to hear back from these ladies about their take away from this evenings events!

One Ninety One Club is the Place to Be October 2nd With IAAVS

2009-09-28T15:08:00.014-04:00

On October 2, 2009 I Am A Visual Statement will be hosting an social hour from 5:00-7:00pm at the exclusive One Ninety One Club in Atlanta, Georgia. Guests will have a chance to mix and mingle as they enjoy the array of Hor d'oeuvres that will be served.

This fun-filled evening will allow our guests to view and purchase from the IAAVS t-shirt line, and hear about our goals toward philanthropy and self-empowerment for women and young girls around the world. Each IAAVS t-shirt purchased will help towards furthering this great movement.

For those interested in attending please contact I Am A Visual Statement by Thursday October 1st for an invitation at: info@iaavs.com

A Woman's Worth

2009-09-28T12:56:00.064-04:00

"Women perform 66 percent of the world's work, and produce 50 percent of the food, yet only earn 10 percent of the income and own 1 percent of the property," President Bill Clinton said.
"Whether the issue is improving education in the developing world, or fighting global climate change, or addressing nearly any other challenge we face, empowering women is a critical part of the equation."

Reports show that when women and girls are empowered, entire regions see measurable results. This is especially true for economic empowerment- for example a woman is likely to reinvest about 90 percent of her earnings into her family's well-being, compared with 35 percent for a man....Investing in women's health, especially reproductive health, not only saves the lives of half a million mothers, but also unleashes an estimated $15 billion in productivity each year.

Corporations, NGOs, and Foundations Announce 13 New Commitments to Empower Girls and Women at the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative. Clinton Global Initiative Press Release 9/23/2009

Graduation Day in Rwanda with Women for Women International

2009-09-23T00:30:00.001-04:00

Graduation Day in Rwanda

For every t-shirt I Am A Visual Statement sells, a percentage of our net profits goes to Women for Women International.

2009-09-22T15:53:00.001-04:00

Philanthropy

Main Entry: phi·lan·thro·py
Pronunciation: \-pē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural phi·lan·thro·pies
Etymology: Late Latin philanthropia, from Greek philanthrōpia, from philanthrōpos loving people, from phil- + anthrōpos human being
Date: circa 1623

1 : goodwill to fellowmen; especially : active effort to promote human welfare
2 a : a philanthropic act or gift b : an organization distributing or supported by philanthropic funds

Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Are you practicing your goodwill towards your fellow man, woman and child?

Are you actively making an effort to promote human welfare?

Do you want to find a way to Take a Stand, Give a Voice and Be a Visual Statement so that women and young girls worldwide have the opportunity to become self-empowered and self-sufficient?

Visit our website today: www.iaavs.com

You can also follow us on Twitter and MySpace

Georgia Center for Child Advocacy...The Motivation Behind the IAAVS Contribution

2009-09-20T18:07:00.000-04:00

The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy opened its doors in 1987 to provide services for children ages 17 and younger who reside or were abused in Dekalb or Fulton Counties of the state of Georgia, at no cost to the children or their families. As mentioned in the I Am A Visual Statement (IAAVS) FAQs section the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy conducts forensic interviews and evaluations, therapy, family advocacy services, multidisciplinary team case reviews, presentations and trainings.

When IAAVS realized the staggering numbers of how many children are sexually, psychologically and physically abused, and at the ages in which abuse first occurs we had to reach out to them to see how we can help. We discovered that therapy and other services were desperately needed by the young girls at the center; so we immediately stepped up to the plate and declared that we would help more children get the much needed help that the center provides by sharing a portion of our net profits with this wonderful organization.

To date, the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy has helped over 7,500 children. Visit their site today to see how you can help through donations and volunteer efforts!

IAAVS is Connected with Rwandan Woman Through Women for Women International

2009-09-19T04:13:00.001-04:00

I Am A Visual Statement (IAAVS) has received great news...we were provided information about the woman we sponsor through our monthly contributions. She is from Rwanda and we are honored to have the opportunity to help her reach her goals of self-empowerment and self-sufficiency.

For those of you who are not familiar with the history of Rwanda and the impact on the country's women and children, let us share some horrifying facts with you. It has been estimated that roughly 500,000 women and girls were raped, tortured and physically abused during the genocide that began in 1994. The country's population is 70% female with more than half of the households ran by women; 80% of which are widows.

Over 1/4 million children in Rwanda have been made orphans due to AIDS. "Despite the extreme poverty many Rwandans find room in their hearts to adopt as many as 6 orphaned children, treating every child like their own, a mantra of the country and its President, Paul Kagame" (Women for Women International Website).

Due to the strength of the women in Rwanda their ability to finally speak up and speak out after years of silence has led to the act of rape to be prosecuted as a war crime. In 2003, 49% of parliaments seats were filled by women. But these strides don't mean that women are completely free from the effects of war.

We look forward to sharing with everyone more details concerning our sponsored sister (of course protecting her identity for obvious reasons) and her progress through our financial assistance and the guidance of Women for Women International.

For more information on Women for Women International click here

Be sure to visit IAAVS to make t-shirt purchases so that we can continue to help Women for Women International. If you have questions or would like to invite us to an event please e-mail us at: info@iaavs.com

Please note that the pictures displayed in this blog were retrieved from the Women for Women International website.

IAAVS at the Woodruff Arts Center September 5th

2009-09-17T13:38:00.001-04:00

IAAVS showed up and made a lasting impact at the Collective Renaissance Guild's (CRG) "Speak Out" Marketplace located at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, GA on September 5, 2009. The Marketplace was described by CRG as an event where "The general public will be invited to explore the opportunities for service and social entrepreneurship available through various non-profit organization information booths; hear prominent leaders and personalities "Speak Out" about their cause of choice; get autographs from key authors and artists whose work reflects the mission of change; and contribute their own thoughts on change through our interactive video booth" (CRG). The event was hosted by CRG, the Woodruff Arts Center and The Andrew Young Foundation.

Markesia Thomas Akinbami, Director of Change and Natasha Foreman, Director of Possibilities represented IAAVS at the event. Markesia and Natasha were accompanied by Alexandra Foreman a volunteer who also helped the team at the "Sneak Peek Preview Party" on August 30th.

Before the doors opened to the public at 2pm Markesia and Natasha walked throughout the center and spoke with each and every vendor, in hopes of establishing future relationships. There were approximately 30 organizations represented at the Marketplace and IAAVS was thrilled to be one of them.

Soon after doors opened other marketplace vendors and guests quickly approached asking questions about IAAVS, the tees and how they could get one. Since no sales were permitted within Woodruff everyone was directed to the IAAVS website and encouraged to join our mailing list. We'd like to acknowledge and thank the Examiner, Bold Magazine Online, All Girl Talk Radio, Energy Fit USA, Chec Pro, A Guiding Hand Mentoring Program, and the other media outlets and vendors that showed IAAVS some love.

We had more than 200 people visit our booth and leave with information about our company, Women for Women International and the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy (the two charities we support). There were performances by Iasia the "Protedgy Poet", OMG Girlz (the girl group starring Tiny and Toya's daughters), Rock City and Verse and many others.

CRG gave special on-stage recognition to Jamie Foxx for his service in the community; Chris "Ludacris" Bridges and Revered Joseph E Lowery presented him with the Phoenix Award. There were plenty of celebrities and personalities in attendance that day including Ambassador Andrew Young, Senator Kasim Reed, Killer Mike, the World Famous Superfriends on the ones and twos, Bryan-Michael Cox and many more!

Markesia and Natasha were photographed and interviewed by various radio, newspaper and magazine reporters, while Alexandra didn't miss a beat as she continued answering questions from participants and making sure that everyone left our booth with IAAVS on their mind.

Power Forum

That evening CRG hosted the Power Forum where Ambassador Andrew Young and Andre 3000 (who couldn't be there) were honored for civic service and artistic innovation respectively.

The Keynote Address was by Killer Mike who received several standing ovations for his empowering words and his passionate call for change.

By the end of the night the IAAVS team was exhausted yet excited about the wonderful feedback we received on our shirts and the high level of interest from the other organizations who would like to work with us in the very near future....we can't wait until our next event!

For more information about I AM A VISUAL STATEMENT visit our website today!

IAAVS Sneak Peek Party

2009-09-14T19:32:00.003-04:00

Although it rained on August 30th it didn't stop women from all over Metro Atlanta from coming out and supporting I Am A Visual Statement (IAAVS) at our "Sneak Peek Preview Party". The event started with guests mixing and mingling, listening to the smooth sounds of Sade, Maxwell, Kem, and Ledisi.

The food that evening was beyond delicious. There were plenty of tasty dishes to choose from including a penne pasta alfredo that no one could resist (some of us returned for seconds); a freshly tossed spring salad, a fruit display that had large, plump strawberries and red grapes; and a variety of desserts and beverages. We're still talking about the brownie bites with the caramel topping that was delicately drizzled on top, and the ones with powdered sugar; and who could forget the peach Arnold Palmers...absolute bliss!

As the ladies relaxed and got to know each other better they had the opportunity to be the first to purchase an IAAVS t-shirt. One at a time each woman approached the display table as Director of Change, Natasha Foreman, assisted them with their purchases. Each woman happily walked away with their very own chocolate IAAVS bag and gathered in the next room to hear more about the company and the charities we support....

Director of Possibilities, Markesia Thomas Akinbami welcomed everyone and explained the purpose of IAAVS and the reason for the event. Each woman was invited to be the first purchase a tee and be educated about the two charities that we support; so that they could also be change agents in their community. She then introduced Ms. Yvonne Bryant Johnson representing the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy.

Georgia Center for Child Advocacy
Ms.Yvonne Bryant-Johnson shared with the group startling statistics concerning child abuse and how the center has made strides in helping young boys and girls in the Metro Atlanta area of Georgia. Here are the facts:

* 1 in 4 girls is sexually abused before the age of 18.
* 1 in 6 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18.
* 1 in 5 children are solicited sexually while on the Internet.
* Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults (including assaults on adults)
occur to children ages 17 and under.
* An estimated 39 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse exist in America today.

Even within their own homes, children are at risk for sexual abuse:
* 30-40% of victims are abused by a family member.
* Another 50% are abused by someone outside the family whom they know and trust.
* Approximately 40% are abused by older or larger children whom they know.
* Therefore, only 10% are abused by strangers.

Sexual abuse occurs at all ages, probably younger than you think:

* The median age for reported abuse is 9 years old.
* More than 20% of children are sexually abused before age 8.
* Nearly 50% of all victims of forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, and forcible fondling are children under 12.

Women for Women International

Our Director of Change, Natasha Foreman discussed the mission of Women for Women International and their work in 9 war-torn countries including Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Iraq to name a few. She explained how IAAVS works with both the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy and Women for Women International by providing 25% of our net profits to the organizations. Additionally, IAAVS works at educating the public about both organizations and the work they perform domestically and abroad.

Natasha then shared with the group the multitudinous crimes against women and young girls which ranged from psychological abuse to rape, torture and mutilation, sex slavery rings, physical abuse and being used as bait to lure in war enemies. Women for Women International helps these victims with financial and emotional aid, job-skills training, rights education and small business assistance so they can rebuild their lives.

Natasha explained that IAAVS wants every concerned woman and man to "Take a stand, give a voice, and be a visual statement" and in order to do this, action must take place beyond the purchase of an IAAVS shirt; through educating others and encouraging individual sponsorship of Women for Women International's "sisters" IAAVS believes that we can all join together to propel this movement of service beyond our wildest dreams.

After handing out Women for Women International sponsorship materials, Markesia and Natasha thanked everyone for their support and announced the release of the 3/4 length t-shirt this fall. We then proceeded to mingle until the party ended at 6pm. This evening was an absolute success! Great food...music...women...organizations... and great causes...we couldn't ask for more. A few of us gathered for a quick photo op.

Markesia and Natasha couldn't wait to pose with our IAAVS partner, exclusive photographer; artist extraordinaire and one of the best photographers around (and we're not just saying that because we're biased)...Korey Akinbami of Visual Statements Photography. Visit the site and see for yourself how talented and gifted Mr. Akinbami truly is and then contact the studio to schedule your next session! Keep your ears and eyes open for Korey's upcoming fine art exhibits showcasing his photographic work from all parts of the world. Thanks for everything Korey!

We would like to extend a special "thank you" to those who helped us at our event:

Mamie Nesbit, Danny "DJ" Thomas, and Alexandra Foreman.

For more information about how to volunteer or make donations visit the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy website.
For information concerning sponsorship, donations, or hosting educational events visit the Women for Women International website.
For more information about IAAVS visit our website.

IAAVS is Born!

2009-09-01T20:01:00.015-04:00

August 17, 2009 I Am A Visual Statement (IAAVS) picked up their first order of custom-made t-shirts from their printer. It was a day the team had long been waiting for. It was now official…IAAVS was a designer t-shirt line!

They sealed the deal with a photo shoot with professional models...

Markesia and Natasha also modeled some of the upcoming ¾-length styles that will be hitting the market in the upcoming weeks.

Let’s go back to the conception stages…

The Atlanta-based IAAVS’s primary focus is philanthropy; first, by forming relationships with non-profit organizations who help promote and provide services toward the self-empowerment and self-sufficiency of women and young girls worldwide; second, by educating others about the needs of these women and young girls- and inspiring them to take part in giving back to others; and third, by sharing a portion of our t-shirt sales with these organizations to help them reach their goal one dollar and one day at a time.

The vision for IAAVS came from Markesia Thomas who wanted to find a more meaningful way of giving back. For her, selling t-shirts would serve multiple purposes and benefit numerous people all at the same time. It’s rare to find a person, who does not enjoy helping others on some level, and it’s even rarer to find a person who does not wear a t-shirt; so the choice was simple. From that point the focus was on finding the right charities that spoke to the concerns of Markesia, Natasha and the rest of the IAAVS team; two organizations stood out immediately…Women for Women International and the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy.

The hope is that through the relationships that are formed between IAAVS, their customers and the IAAVS charitable partners, individuals worldwide pledge to share with others the great deeds that these two non-profit organizations are doing, while financially and emotionally helping women and children gain self-empowerment and self-sufficiency through these wonderful programs and others.

Where they are now…

August 30^th IAAVS hosted a Sneak Peek Preview Party giving their invited guests a chance to see and purchase the t-shirts for the very first time; while also learning more about Women for Women International and the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy. Check back to see pictures and more from the party!

August 31^st IAAVS joined Face Book.

September 1^st they officially launched their website and this blog, and in a matter of minutes of sharing the URL (for the website) with friends, family, and associates orders started rolling in!

What’s coming up…

September 5^th come out and support IAAVS at the “Speak Out” Marketplace at the Woodruff Arts Center at 3pm hosted by The Collective Renaissance Guild in partnership with The Woodruff Arts Center and The Andrew Young Foundation. Markesia and Natasha will be representing IAAVS with a booth at the Marketplace sharing with the public what IAAVS is all about, the charities they support and how people can purchase a t-shirt online at: WWW.IAAVS.COM

To learn more about IAAVS, their team, their t-shirts (and to make a purchase) and the charities they support visit their website at: WWW.IAAVS.COM today!

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