SALUTING AMERICAN WOMEN FOR INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING FOR
45 YEARS OF CONTRIBUTIONS
WHEREAS, American Women for International Understanding, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1968 and incorporated in 1972 to create an international network of women to foster understanding and goodwill among nations. AWIU members seek to acquire knowledge, through study, travel, and symposia designed to develop international understanding and to foster personal and organizational relationships among women throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, AWIU sponsors delegations of their members to meet with women throughout the world to learn about the issues they face and establish meaningful dialogue. The first delegation in 1968 was to Russia, followed by China in 1973, and subsequently delegations were sent throughout the world, including Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Southern India, Iceland, Argentina, Libya, Russia, Japan, the Balkan countries, and in January 2014 a delegation will go to Burma, Mynamar to learn about the struggles women face there; and
WHEREAS, AWIU awards grants that focus on strengthening the work of women around the world, to enable women to gain a new education and skill that they can apply in their home country upon their return. Grantees have been awarded to members of the Karamah, Afghanistan Mid Wife Training program, Chinese cardiologists, and the.Global Press Institute; and
WHEREAS, AWIU chapters throughout the United States educate and support women worldwide. In Chicago, AWIU programs educate on local and international sex-trafficking and the role of women in Egypt. AWIU also has two virtual chapters whose focus is delegation planning; and
WHEREAS, AWIU annually honors the Secretary of State's International Women of Courage recipients in Washington, D.C. in March on International Women's Day, these recipients are awarded the only award within the State Department that pays tribute to outstanding women leaders worldwide, recognizes their courage and leadership as they fight for social justice, human rights, and the advancement of women; AWIU awards each recipient a small grant to enhance their efforts in their home country; and
WHEREAS, AWIU presents an Internationalism Award every year to a woman who has demonstrated understanding and commitment to women worldwide. Past awardees include Doris Buffett, Laura Bush, and Marie Royce; and
WHEREAS, AWIU is celebrating their 45th year on September 23, 2013 in Chicago of furthering understanding and dialogue of women throughout the world from disparate backgrounds and circumstances; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Michele Smith, the Alderman of the 43rd Ward, home to committed AWIU Chicago Chapter members, has apprised this august body of American Women for International Understanding's significant milestone; now therefore
significant milestone; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council gathered together this 111,1 Day of September, 2013 AD, do hereby salute the AWIU for 45 years of contributions to international understanding and learning among women world-wide and express our heartfelt best wishes for continued success in all of American Women for International Understanding's future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the AWIU Chicago Chapter. /
MICHELE SMITH Alderman-43rd Ward
HARRY OSipiMAkL Alderman -48** Ward
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