Welcome to the first edition of the Global Woman Newsletter this year. Global Woman Newsletter wishes you a Happy New Year, and look forward to keeping you informed this New Year.
Welcome to the first edition of the Global Woman Newsletter of 2019. Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation (GWPF) wishes you a Happy New Year and welcomes their readers and supporters to 2019! It is their hope that you had a wonderful holiday season, and they are looking forward to a prosperous year ahead. The organization is excited to begin a new year, which is also the 9th anniversary of the founding of Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation. It is a delight to enter the 9th year of serving women and girls, with the help of enthusiastic friends and supporters. GWPF has great plans for this year, so continue to read this newsletter for the news as they unfold during the course of the year. Here are some of the January 2019 activities we have in the life of GWPF.
GWPF began the New Year with joyful, yet sad hearts as they came together this past Saturday to say farewell to their Advisory Board Member, Lisa Crawford Bruch. It was a sad but inspirational service given by Lisa’s family, and GWPF was honored to have been included in the fabulous program. Among the attendees paying tributes to Lisa were GWPF, AT&T, CenturyLink, Telecom, Federal Government Agencies and Global Enterprise Services. Delivering the first tribute on the program, GWPF’s Vice President, Amie Jallah choked up as she shared details of her personal relationship with Lisa, which led her to introduce the organization to Lisa. Executive Director, Angela Peabody ended the tribute by telling Lisa’s family, “Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation plans to establish a special scholarship fund in Lisa’s name and memory for girls in West Africa, who have either undergone female genital mutilation or are at risk of the practice. The fund will be called ‘The Lisa C. Bruch Scholarship Fund’.” Peabody continued, “It is a gesture that Lisa would most certainly appreciate.” She said that Lisa was one of a kind, and she is already missed. She added, “Rest in peace and continue to root for the work we do from where you are with God.” Anyone interested in supporting this special scholarship fund should contact Arnold DeShield and Dr. Wallicia Gill at info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org for instructions on how to support the Fund. Please indicate in the subject line of your email, ‘Scholarship Fund’.
Although GWPF continues to mourn the loss of Lisa, she would want to see the work against FGM continue. So next Tuesday, January 15th, the Kids Reach Shield Program, the law enforcement training program of GWPF will convene in its first scheduled training with Arlington County Police. The training session is expected to cover the cultural and traditional practices of FGM, and what the police can expect and detect in the event they are faced with such cases. In addition, GWPF’s new Board Member, F.A. Cole who is also an outspoken survivor is expected to address the detectives and officers. Lieutenant Eliseo Pilco of the Arlington County Police Department said he expects to have representatives from the Child Protective Services of Arlington County in attendance.
Next Friday, January 18th, GWPF plans to launch its official fundraising and registration page for the 2019 Walk To End FGM and the Global Woman Awards. Yes, these twin events are not scheduled to take place until October; however with an early launch, the organization will have 10 months to prepare participants, speakers, guests and awardees for their travels. The Global Woman Awards will be held on Friday, October 18th and the Walk To End FGM will follow on Saturday, October 19th. Please read the Global Woman Newsletter of January 22nd for details about the launch.
The first Support Group Workshop of 2019 will be held by GWPF on Saturday, January 19th. They will extend the support group discussion to other FGM survivors in all states of the United States. Individual invitations will go out this week to the usual attendees as well as new survivors outside the Washington, D.C. area. Utilizing technology, survivors will be able to call in to the workshop and participate in the discussion of the month. GWPF is excited at the prospect of taking this step forward in servicing survivors of FGM around the United States. Detective Caitlin O’Malley of the Major Crimes Bureau and Child Abuse Squad of Fairfax County Police Department is scheduled to lead the workshop discussion on the 19th. If you are a survivor of FGM or you believe that you are at risk of it being done to you, you do not want to miss this workshop. Please contact Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation at info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org to have your name added to the invitation list before next week Thursday.
GWPF is working on several activities in the coming months so keep reading this newsletter for announcements. The organization is hopeful that the New Year brings all positive results in whatever you their readers, partners, friends and supporters endeavor. Thank you for making it possible for the organization to achieve some of its goals in the past year. GWPF still welcomes your continued support in 2019.
Comments and questions to info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org or call (703) 818-3787
