| Norwalk, Connecticut Gathering
The following article appeared in our local paper.
Event Opens Women's Eyes -- and
Minds
by Amrita Dhindsa,
Staff Writer
Norwalk -- Those who attended International Women's Day in
Norwalk on Saturday said the celebrations helped them make
connections with other women in Fairfield County and around
the world, as well as raise their consciousness to issues
women face in different countries.
A series of events, including group discussions, talks, drumming,
dances and a crafts sale were organized at the First Congregational
Church in East Norwalk Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm by Women's
Perspective on Money and spirituality, a nonprofit organization
that provides educational services for women seeking to understanding
their finances and spirituality.
The celebrations brought together such diverse groups as
Maya Works and Spring Ministries, which work with women in
Guatemala and Kenya to educate and inform women in Fairfield
County about the economic and medical deprivation women face
in their countries.
The goal of International Women's Day was to allow women
to make connections with one another, raise money for women
who are less privileged or who have HIV/AIDS and for women
to discover their own talents so they could empower themselves
and help others.
This is the first time that International Women's Day has
been held in Fairfield County. Organizers from Women's Perspective
hope to make it a permanent event.
Visitors could purchase traditional crafts made by artisans
from Guatemala. From the sale of the items, nearly 65cents
of every dollar is returned to the artisans and 10 cents is
contributed towards technical assistance, scholarships and
small loans, according to Pat Krause, a coordinator with Maya
Works.
"Giving women the opportunity to earn income from their
skills gives them self-confidence and hope for themselves,
children, family and village," Krause said.
Toni Burmeister, a teacher from Westport, said the opportunity
to be able to contribute to a cause also made her a savvy
consumer when it comes to buying products from another country.
"I am more aware of what I'm buying now and who I am
buying it from" said Burmeister. "When I'm buying
coffee, I'm making a more literate choice."
Margaret Auma, director of Kenya-based Spring Ministries,
was also in Norwalk to raise people's awareness about the
stigma, discrimination and economic deprivation that women
and orphans face who have lost their husbands and parents
to HIV/AIDS in Africa. Auma attended the United Nations Commission
on the Status of Women earlier this month to drum up support
for rehabilitating victims of HIV/AIDS. "I was invited
by Women's Perspective to share the story," said Auma.
"It's a women's issue."
For Linda Melick, a law librarian from Newtown, celebrating
International Women's Day gave her a new perspective and pulled
her away from the mundane routine of everyday life. "I
enjoyed talking to people and interacting with people you
don't see every day," said Melick. "I am becoming
more aware of the problems in the world that you can't ignore."
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