IAAVS is an organization whose primary focus is philanthropy by helping women and chidren worldwide become self-empowered and self-sufficient with the help of non-profit organizations.
Showing posts with label Women for Women International. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Women for Women International. Show all posts
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!
IAm AVisual 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.
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.
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.
