EWF International Members Get Involved with Peace Through Business
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EWF Members & Staff attending Peace Through Business Fashion Show
Back: Darcie Harris, Jan Hill,
Viviana Burgess, Nicole Thomas,
Sharon Tanner, Andrea Mason.
Front: Nancy Hyde, Katie O'Brien.
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When Dr. Terry Neese founded the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW) in 2006, little did she know how big the program would be just six years later.
IEEW focuses on education, mentorship, and coaching women in the US and developing countries who want entrepreneurial skills to start and grow a business. The Institute's PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS© program educates women whose homelands have been devastated by war, genocide, and poverty.
This week, women from Afghanistan and Rwanda were in Oklahoma participating in the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS© program. After two months of training in their home country, they spent a week in Dallas receiving classroom training. Next they will travel to Washington DC to participate in a national conference.
Local Oklahoma City business women served as mentors and hosts to these visiting women. The Peace Through Business are paired with local women business owners in matching industries for a week of shadowing and business coaching.
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EWF Members include Peace Through Business students in their Forum meeting.
Back: Jo Meacham, Samantha Plank, Katie O'Brien, Morgan Harris, Viviana Burgess,
April Campbell, Andrea Mason Front: Christa Carretero, Kobra Saeed (Afghanistan), Sally Gilbert, Emilienne Kagoyire, Darcie Harris
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EWF International believes in the mission of educating women and began supporting PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS© in 2009. Darcie Harris, CEO of EWF International serves on their Leadership Council and helps match students with local mentors and hosts. She has traveled to Rwanda and served as a classroom trainer and mentor.
Harris says mentoring is effective because it makes the world a smaller place. "While Africa and Afghanistan seem so far away and different, we discover we are much more alike than we are different," Harris said. "I'm delighted to see so many EWF members get involved with Peace Through Business. Women helping women is what EWF International is all about."
EWF members have grown increasingly involved in supporting the program. Three years ago, EWF member Jan Hill, Owner of Eden Salon had an idea for a fashion show to benefit the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS© program. She has given countless hours and resources developing this event. This year the festivities were held on July 17th.
EWF members were in full support of the benefit, in
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Andrea Mason, modeling a dress from a Rwandan designer
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attendance, by modeling in the fashion show, auction donors, and serving as mentors and hosts. Andrea Mason mentored a student from Afghanistan who owns a fitness center, and modeled a beautiful green dress from Rwanda in the fashion show. Nancy Hyde, co-chair of the Peace Through Business Leadership Council, has served as a host and mentor, as has Kathleen Oliver. Jo Meacham and Viviana Burgess helped mentor a student from Rwanda who owns a bed and breakfast. Valerie Naifeh donated jewelry to the auction.
We send a BIG thank you to all EWF International members who share their time and talents with these women entrepreneurs. And special thanks to Dr. Terry Neese for spreading the "pay it forward" message as women around the world are educated with PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS©.
You can find more information about IEEW and PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS© by visiting www.ieew.org.
