by Hilda Oropeza, CARE USA
Director of Community Partnerships, San Francisco

Inspired by stories from the critically-acclaimed book “Half the Sky” by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, CARE’s Half the Sky event – in nearly 500 movie theatres for just one night – will feature an uplifting night of music, celebrity discussion and film.

The event features performances, readings, and appearances by India.Arie, Maria Bello, the Bay Area’s own Michael Franti, Dr. Helene Gayle, president and CEO of CARE, Angelique Kidjo, Nicholas Kristof, Marisa Tomei, Sarah, Duchess of York, Sheryl WuDunn and other notables.  Watch the short video below to learn more about this powerful event!

The World Premiere of Woinshet

Wonishet, a powerful short film directed by Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei and Lisa Leone will launch its world premiere during this event.  The film tells the story of Woinshet, an Ethiopian woman who triumphs over degradation and abuse in a society where women are often voiceless and victimized.

“Woinshet is an inspiration to the millions of women across the globe who face violence and oppression,” says Marisa Tomei. “My hope is that people will leave theatres not only cheering her on, but demanding that we end discrimination and horrible cruelty towards women.”

Building on the success of A POWERFUL NOISE Live, CARE’s 2009 International Women’s Day event, Half the Sky will inspire audiences to join the movement to empower women and girls in the fight against poverty and oppression.

“CARE is proud to once again celebrate International Women’s Day with a rousing one-night-only event in theatres across the country,” said Dr. Gayle. “HALF THE SKY is more than just a night at the movies – it’s a rallying cry to stand up and join a growing worldwide movement to empower women and girls to fight global poverty.”

CARE’s Half the Sky event will take place at 7:30 pm in all time zones in nearly 500 movie theatres in the U.S. and Canada. Tickets are approximately $10-$12.50 depending on the theatre and a portion of ticket sales goes to support CARE. To find a theatre near you and purchase tickets today, visit CARE, Half the Sky event.

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty.

Women are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives.  To learn more please visit their website.

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Congratulations to San Francisco Bay Area residents Helen Waukazoo and Dr. Kathy Hull,  Minerva Award winners!  These amazing women were honored at the 2009 CA Women’s Conference for their service on the frontlines of humanity.

The Minerva Award, created in 2004 by CA First Lady Maria Shriver, is aptly named for the Roman goddess Minerva who graces the CA State Seal.  The awards annually acknowledge remarkable women who have changed CA and the nation with their courage, strength and wisdom.

Helen Waukazoo-The American Indian Friendship House

Helen Waukazoo turned a tramatic event into her life’s work. At age 13 she was torn from her beloved family and sent to boarding school.  In a government attempt to integrate American Indians into a non-Indian world, she was forbidden to honor her own culture and language. 

She never forgot the trauma of that event.

As a young Native American woman living in San Francisco, she and her peers faced a different sort of discrimination…lack of support services and no understanding of her people’s culture.  In the 1970’s she cofounded The American Indian Friendship House to bridge the divide between the Native American and White American world.

Today under Helen’s guidance, The Friendship House has grown into an 80-bed facility in a brand new building, providing alcohol and substance abuse treatment. Utilizing a unique blend of Native American traditions with non-Indian substance abuse strategies, Friendship House has a higher than average treatment success rate.

Helen created a domino effect by healing her wounds through action. What started as a way to help her people mend their life and find their way back to family and community, is today the model of programmatic excellence for American Indian recovery programs.

Dr. Kathy Hull-George Mark Children’s House

The loss of a loved one is never easy.  And when that death is a child…the pain that ripples through a family is excruciating.

In 2004, Dr. Kathy Hull co-founded George Mark Children’s House in San Leandro, CA to help families cope with the looming trauma created by the death of a child.

George Mark was born out of Dr. Hull’s experience of losing two brothers at a young age and her work as a clinical psychologist at Oakland Children’s Hospital.  Dr. Hall noticed that the only options in the U.S. for dying children were adult settings…making this an even more devastating experience for the child and family.

Today George Mark sits on five peaceful acres of trees and gardens… a beautiful and airy CA ranch style home that provides safe haven to families of children with incurable diseases.  More than 200 families a year call George Mark their temporary home.  As residents they find a sanctuary of support and community that understands their special needs

Currently, George Mark is the first and only freestanding facility providing pediatric respite and end-of-life care in the U.S. Thanks to the trailblazing vision of Dr. Hull, there is now a model to develop other centers and Dr. Hall hopes that George Mark is the first of many!

Agnes Stevens and Dr. Jane Goodall

Fellow CA woman Agnes Stevens and world renowned Dr. Jane Goodall, were also honored with a 2009 Minerva  Award.  Agnes Stevens was honored for her work in starting the Schools on Wheels program, dedicated to helping homeless children stay in school.  You can learn more about her award here.

Dr. Goodall was honored for her lifelong work in making the world better for humans, animals and the environment. You can learn more here. 

The SF Bay Area Women’s Journal would like to congratulate all of the remarkable 2009 Minerva Award winners!  Thanks for making our world a better place!

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2. Congratulations to Julie Rems-Smario…a CNN Hero!

CNN viewers in over 80 countries nominated more than 7,000 heroes in 6 categories, with 3 finalists identified for each category.  Julie was one of three finalists in the Community Crusader category for creating solutions to a local problem or social issue.

DeafHope
DeafHope’s mission is to end domestic violence and sexual assault against Deaf women and children through empowerment, education and services.  You can learn more about Deaf Hope in the BAWJ Spotlight article and their website.

Congratualtions Julie!

Want to e-mail, Tweet or Bookmark this article? It’s easy…just click the Share/Save button!

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