Thank you Winnipeg

THANK YOU WINNIPEG!

June, 2014 The Institute for International Women’s Rights – Manitoba would like to thank those who attended and supported Local to Global 2014, A New Age is Dawning for Every Mother’s Daughter on May 9th at the Viscount Gort. What an amazing evening! Nadia Kidwai, Emcee did a masterful job in keeping the evening running smoothly and on time. There were close to 400 in attendance who heard Sally Armstrong speak passionately about women changing their communities, and indeed their countries, working together and taking on established systems to combat gender based violence. “Now, at last, is the time for women,” she says. Katherina Vermette read several of her poems from the Governor General Award winning book – North End Love Songs, and Keith and Renee gave a resounding muscial ending to an inspiring evening. Shawarma Khan and the Viscount Gort Hotel did an excellent job with the food and beverage. There were 36 beautiful baskets raffled, and silent auction items – all beautifully displayed. Grands n More had a table of crafts made by the grandmothers, and there were displays by IIWR Global College and IIWR-Manitoba which included information on Canadian Women 4 Afghan Women, CUPE, Canadian Council of Muslim Women (Manitoba) and a petition to Bring Our Girls Home. Over 200 signatures were received and the petition was sent to the Prime Minister of Canada and the Secretary General of the United Nations. As well, an electronic version of the petition was put on-line – urging government to do more to bring back the school girls who were kidnapped in Nigeria. The proceeds from Local to Global 2014 amounted to $14, 079, which will now be shared with The Equality Effect; Global Citizenship Scholarships at the University of Winnipeg; the Stephen Lewis Foundation (Grands n More) and The Institute for International Women’s Rights – Manitoba. Special thanks to our Champion donors: Thompson Dorfman Sweatman, LLP; Hill Sokalski Walsh Trippier LLP; and Gail Asper. Major Supporters included: Assiniboine Credit Union, Karen Kochen (BMO Nesbitt Burns), Manitoba Status of Women, Brenlee Carrington, Investor’s Group, Val Clancy, Jean Gigurere, Gail and John Guy, Leona MacDonald, Mary and Richard Scott and the Viscount Gort Hotel. - 30 - On Behalf of IIWR-Manitoba and the Event Committee: Mary Scott; Marilou McPhedran; LeAmber Kensley; Hilary Taylor; Chelsea Caldwell; Wilma Sotas; Leona MacDonald; Alanna Gray; Ariana Yaftali; Florence Okwudili; Zulfiya Tursunova; Anita Neville; Donna Marion; Judy Wasylicia-Leis; Maddie Pearlman; Nancy Cosway; Gladys Legal; Muriel Smith.