DONATIONS TO WOMEN IN BLACK
At each vigil we place a basket for donations in front of our banner.
Through the generosity of the general public and members of Women in Black Edmonton, we have raised a substantial amount of money through donations. Other than expenses such as photocopying and banner materials, etc., all of the funds collected between 2002 and 2004 were donated to Dr. Sima Simar for her work with girls and women in Afghanistan. On her most recent visit to Edmonton we were able to present her with a donation of $2300; our previous donation had been used to purchase classroom chairs for a school for girls.
In 2005 Women in Black Edmonton made a $500 donation to "Stop the Trafficking Coalition " based in Toronto; a second $500 donation was made to them in 2006. "Stop the Trafficking Coalition" is a Canadian organization working in support of Eastern European women and orphans. Also in 2006 a $500 donation was made to Kindred House in Edmonton.
In 2007 additional donations of $500 (each) were made to "Stop the Trafficking Coalition" and Kindred House (as above). Also in 2007 Women in Black Edmonton combined the $250 cash prize from the Salvos Prelorentzos Peace Award with donations received at our vigils to make a major gift to the schools and libraries in Edmonton. See below:
Donation 2007:
The Salvos Prelorentzos Cash Prize--Presented to Women in Black (Edmonton)
Copies of the book, Enough Blood Shed: 101 Solutions to Violence, Terror and War, written by Dr. Mary-Wynne Ashford with Guy Dauncey, have been donated to the libraries of Edmonton and region high schools, colleges, the University of Alberta and other locations.
They are gifts from Women in Black (Edmonton) which is a local chapter of an international peace network of women who share a common desire to find peaceful means of conflict resolution. Women in Black opposes violence in all its forms whether it be in the home, in our schools, communities and cities or full scale military action. As recipients of the Salvos Prelorentzos Peace Award from Project Ploughshares for 2006, the members of Women in Black (Edmonton) have chosen to direct their monetary award toward providing this excellent resource to the youth of Edmonton.
Enough Blood Shed confronts the reality of a world awash in weapons and the belief that war is inevitable, with people powerless to change the system. It provides an alternative perspective based on solutions known to be successful because they have been used already. It outlines the steps being made to build a culture of peace and focuses on the solutions that are possible for all sectors of society including, children, youth, schools and educators. Focusing on the power of ordinary people to make a difference and packed with effective nonviolent success stories, the book provides guidance, hope and empowerment that peace is not only possible, but can be fun along the way.
Women in Black (Edmonton) trusts that students and others committed to making changes in our schools, cities, countries and the world will find this book of inspiration and assistance in making the world a better and safer place for all.
Media Release RE: Donations Made by Women in Black Edmonton
FROM: WOMEN IN BLACK EDMONTON
JANUARY 25, 2004
WOMEN IN BLACK EDMONTON DONATION TO AFGHANISTAN
Ever since the events of September 11, 2001, the Edmonton group of Women in Black has maintained regularly scheduled vigils at the Strathcona Farmers' Market. The group, standing in silence and dressed in black, calls attention to the violence, militarism and racism in our world; they also offer printed information on a range of related topics to anyone who is interested.
Last year, Edmonton Women in Black placed a basket at their feet to collect donations to help defray their photocopying costs. The generosity of the public has been overwhelming and the group would like to publicly thank Edmontonians for their support.
At the beginning of January, the Edmonton Women in Black were able to pass along a donation of $1200 to "Women for Women Afghanistan," a humanitarian organization based in Calgary. Comprised of donations from the public as well as individual members of the Edmonton Women in Black, the cheque was forwarded to Dr. Sima Samar's school for girls in Afghanistan.
Edmonton Women in Black wish to inform Edmontonians that the donations that they made are being responsibly used. This year, any donations exceeding photocopying costs will be donated to the Adopt a Town in Iraq to assist in the rebuilding of Al -Mutayha in Southern Iraq.
The Women in Black is an international network of women who share the common philosophy of opposition to militarism and violence ; as well, they share a similar style of silent demonstration. Their black clothing is a symbol of bereavement and their silence is an alternative mode of communication-- in direct contrast to more familiar anti-war protests.
Women in Black groups are found around the world including, for example: the Middle East, Yugoslavia, Azerbaijan, Canada, Denmark, England, France, India, Indonesia, Italy,Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and a number of U.S. and Canadian cities.
For further information re: the donation or Edmonton Women in Black, please contact: Barbara @ 988-6102 or email: vanessa.ali@telus.net