Women of Vision

From Jewish Exponent:

A total of 55 members of Women of Vision -- Federation's Jewish Women's Foundation -- and Women's Philanthropy donors took part in the trip. They lobbied lawmakers and met with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, all while forging bonds with each other during this one-day mission.

The group traveled to Capitol Hill to advocate for three congressional bills that directly impact the lives of women: The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act, which would ensure that patients have adequate medical support after breast-cancer surgery; the EARLY Act, which would develop a nationwide public-education campaign to increase breast-cancer awareness and prevention, as well as provide support for young women diagnosed with the disease; and the CLASS Act, which would create a voluntary long-term-disability insurance program for adults.

FEMNET - Celebrating 20 Years

From allAfrica.com:

"FEMNET was set up in 1988 by a group of women who had the conviction about the strength of numbers in any transformation or change process. ....... We want to see things change for the better - to have a more peaceful world where the main providers of development aid and humanitarian assistance are not the main producers and distributors of military arms especially small arms that have caused a lot of havoc in all regions in Africa.

When the founders of the African Women's Development and Communications Network (FEMNET) resolved to set up the network 20 years ago they had a dream. They wanted to see to it that every woman in Africa is able to live in dignity, enjoy life free of violence and deprivation and be equal partners in the development of our dear continent Africa and in directing its affairs. They were convinced that the more women from different parts of Africa remained in contact with one another, the more they would learn from each others' experiences, provide support for one another and build a strong women's movement for the development of Africa."

EU Prize for Saudi Women's Group

From the Daily Star:

"A Saudi charity which helps divorced and underprivileged women has won a European Union prize for human-rights groups in the Gulf, the Riyadh office of the European Commission said Wednesday. The Al-Nahda Philanthropic Society for Women won the first $7,760 Chaillot Prize over several other rights groups for its range of activities, including preparing underprivileged and under-educated women for jobs, setting up a school for children with Down Syndrome, and assisting needy families, according to the European Commission (EC).

The award was announced to mark the 60th anniversary on Wednesday of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, originally presented to the UN General Assembly at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris."

"Women's" Groups

Throughout my recent working life, I have come across a couple of women's groups that, at first, I didn't really know much about - except that their objectives seem to be dedicated to women's and family issues.

Zonta International
This group was founded in the US in 1919 to serve "as a platform for increased advocacy and service delivery for advancing the status of women worldwide".

Aims of Zonta:

• improve the legal, political, economic, health, educational and professional status of women through service and advocacy;
• work for the advancement of understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of executives in business and the professions;
• promote justice and universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
• be united internationally to foster high ethical standards, implement service programs, and provide mutual support and fellowship for members who serve their communities, their nations and the world.
  

VIEW Club:
VIEW was founded by the Smith Family in 1960 "as a service to women. It provided an opportunity to promote the Voice, Interests and Entertainment of Women at a time whem women were restricted by legislation and regulation..."

"Today, VIEW has continued as an organisation with a twofold purpose: to provide a support network for women to meet in friendship and to support the work of The Smith Family."

I know from first hand experience (ie: eavesdropping on a few of their luncheon meetings) the good work that VIEW does. The women meet each month, organise social and fund-raising events to assist those less fortunate than ourselves. I know the women of my local VIEW Club do a lot of work in providing school supplies (books, stationary, scholarships) for kids who might otherwise go without.

So, just a quick rundown on a couple of women's groups in my local area that really do subscribe to the "charity begins at home" creedo.


What's going on in your local area .....