The 19th Annual Women's Assembly in New York City (Aug. 4-6, 2011) was a breakthrough convention for the Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP) on several counts. The turnout of 380 participants was more than double that of the previous year, and the income from the paid registration brought the event close to the break-even point.

At this assembly 20 featured speakers explored the hidden power of women in relationships and explained the value of immediate action in becoming the peacemaker in relationships. The three-day long conference was designed to give practical advice about what women can do in their everyday lives to empower themselves and to provide a better idea of the opportunities for service that the WFWP offers. "A week's worth of content was packed into one weekend," said President of WFWP USA Angelika Selle, "because time is at a premium for these ladies, most of who have families and have jobs to go back to."

Many participants wrote in their evaluations of the conference that they were deeply impacted by the message of News Anchor Brenda Blackmon, from Channel 9 in New York, who was the second keynote speaker after Rev. In Jin Moon, the Senior Pastor of Lovin' Life Ministries and daughter of the WFWP founder. Ms. Blackmon introduced and spoke of her daughter who had been afflicted with lupus but recovered miraculously by way of prayer and faith despite doctors' predictions that she would die. Having lived through a time of segregation in the United States, Ms. Blackmon also shared her wisdom about creating healthy relationships and how she succeeded in her career despite widespread segregation.

"We as women have to do something," Ms. Blackmon said, "because women know which battles to fight."

The audience of more than 380 women, in age ranging tom 18-75, included the elders of the WFWP Mrs. Nora Spurgin, Mrs. Motoko Sugiyama, Mrs. Marie Ang, and chairwomen from around the country, approximately 25 VIPs, including Sister Claudette Mohammed from the Nation of Islam, representatives of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), representatives of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), journalists, and more than 50 young ladies. More than 30 men also participated in support of the event.

"The best part of the program was the diversity of the speakers," said attendee Ulrike Zomorod, "I believe everyone found some inspiration, and I am most inspired when I see ideas are put into action."

An Overview of the Program and Speakers

The Assembly began on the evening of August 4th with a memorable introduction to the WFWP by its International president, Professor Lan Young Moon. Mrs. Angelika Selle then explained the WFWP USA's new vision, which focuses on developing the grassroots WFWP in the United States, addressing the problematic state of the nuclear family, and raising the next generation of young women who strive to create peace in the world.

On Friday, August 5th Rev. In Jin Moon encouraged her audience to exercise peace in a familial context: "Only by understanding how to accomplish peace in a family setting can we truly create peace on a world level." Her message continued with insights as a mother and advice to "clean up" in order to unlock the power of relationships. Ms. Deborah Saidy, an official of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), followed up with her own experiences as a mother, and explained how the WFP can be a way to help hungry women and children all around the world. Ms. Nia Lyte, a Colombian-born talk show host and former Ms. Hispana from Los Angeles, spoke about the "inner beauty" of women and how she, an entertainment celebrity, decided to reject offers to pose nude for financial compensation.

"Develop your inner beauty," Ms. Lyte encouraged her listeners, "And develop yourselves as thinkers. In my career, I turned certain jobs down because I wanted to maintain my integrity and my value. It is time to revolutionize Hollywood. It's time to represent women as thinkers. Remember that no one can take my or your inner beauty away."

"Ms. Nia Lyte's speech was incredible – these days, most physically attractive women are compromising their standards, but seeing a woman like her strengthens me," said attendee Lisa Canak. "She is someone I can look up to; she inspires me to continue to uphold my standards regardless of what others may think."

Mrs. Sandra Lowen, a professional counselor and trauma therapist, provided insights on the importance of communication, "Communication is the life water of relationships," Mrs. Lowen said. "The tongue has the power of life and death. How do you react when someone can't speak your 'language?' Saying what you said with more force is not the best way to communicate; doing the same thing day after day, and expecting a different response is a sign of insanity. We're out today to stop the insanity. Let's be a beautiful daughter, sister, and mother, who brings this message home to our spouses."

Dr. Gita Bangera, a microbiologist and the principal administrator of "ComGen: The Community College Genomics Research Initiative," introduced a new method of how to instill in women confidence and the sense that they deserve an education, especially in science.

"Everyone deserves a perfect relationship," said Dr. Bangera. "I saw how women in and outside of India were abused in their relationships, and it didn't make sense to me. Women had a preconceived notion that they were not good enough in science, they don't always get the respect that they deserve. We as women need to be contributing to the world. Take yourselves seriously – do not take your power for granted. No relationship can be strong unless the woman can be strong. Let's challenge ourselves. Mothers, teach your girls to be resilient."

Panel Presenters

In 10-15 minute segments women who had made a difference in their communities through projects they had initiated by helping other women. Under the guidance of WFWP USA, college students Ms. ChunMi Araki, Ms. Teresa Blount, Ms. Miwa Yokoyama, and Ms. Manasa Kanithi had traveled to Japan to help with the tsunami-relief efforts.

"We had initially scheduled a rally in front of the White House aimed at protesting the faith-breaking issues in Japan and the rape of women at the hands of faith-breakers, but we cancelled it and instead turned our attention to helping the people of Japan, which was a life-changing experience for many," said President Selle (see WFWP's homepage for the full story.)

The last presenter was Ms. Evelyne Drake, a chairwoman from Florida, who shared a video on relief efforts in Haiti, which have been ongoing for four years.

"Hearing from women who are really doing something was really inspiring," said another attendee, Mrs. Kim Dadachanji, "which makes it seem possible to run with the vision we each have."

After the presentations, women were able to re-invigorate their limbs through the "We" activity of learning how to ballroom dance. Many women experienced a breakthrough in dancing and said they realized that life is about enjoyment, and that dancing is a part of it.

Benefit Gala for Soles 4 Souls

Ladies and gentleman gathered in the Grand Ballroom of the Manhattan Center for a benefit gala organized to raise money for women and children without shoes. The evening began with MC Victoria Roomet, the Vice-President of the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP), who recapped the events of the day and introduced Mrs. Jennifer Johnson, the representative of Soles4Souls, to address the audience about the work of Soles 4 Souls as a charity that donates shoes to adults and children in need.

Mrs. Angelika Selle then introduced the "Her Story" Award, which highlights ordinary women who have accomplished extraordinary things. The "Her Story" Award was presented to Mrs. Kayo Masuda from Ohio, who despite suffering from Lupus for many years, continued to serve humanitarian missions in Africa and in Israel without complaint.

The "Bridge of Peace Ceremony," introduced by Mrs. Heather Thalheimer, highlighted healing relationships between sisters, husbands and wives, and a mother and daughter through the act of bowing and embracing.

After a buffet dinner, popular New York City comedian Leighann Lord electrified the audience with her humorous perspective on family relations. "When my husband had to gall to ask me, 'What do you think about an open marriage?' I told him, 'That all depends on what you think about an open casket.'" Ms. Lord joked.

Professional ballroom dancers Maria and Dimitrios Damalas, co-owners of the Basic Ballroom Dance Studio in Manhattan, then took the floor with a Chacha and a Bolero performance. After the performances, the audience put their newly acquired ballroom dancing skills to the test, joining in fellowship through the medium of dance.

On Saturday, August 6th close to 30 exhibitors arranged tables around the Mezzanine Level of the New Yorker Hotel for the first-ever WFWP Networking Fair. Women presented their work, service, or products on behalf of helping women live a healthy lifestyle and have constructive relationships.

Feedback from the Attendees:

All of the speakers were amazingly inspiring this assembly. On the 5th, all of the tools given to us on communication, confidence, and finding your inner beauty were so practical. The love and connection I felt really emanated from every person that morning and it permeated the entire conference, giving me the feeling that we are making a real change in this world by discovering our own internal beauty. Most definitely I am taking the tools of healthy communication, the tools for better health and daily living, tools for being more confident in my school life so I can do great things and expect great things of myself.

- Tanya Selle

The entire conference was uplifting spiritually and practically, it left you with a feeling of accomplishment and thinking that you could overcome anything.

–Juanita Pierre-Louis

Brenda Blackmon taught us that tragedies in life can be offered for great things come, it is all in the attitude and grateful heart.

- Judith Lejuene

These women inspire confidence in me and inspire me to bring strength home to my girlfriends.

- Teresa Blount

I learned things that would help in all aspects of my relationships, like being more certain and strong to go forward and build a life that can be a role model to others.

–Young Ae Aura-Ferchi

Starting with Dr. Lan Young Moon's presentation, it is such a great blessing if I have to say to hear the talks and testimonies of women of different fields who are making a difference with love, courage, faith, kindness, dedication and sacrifice.

–Miyoko Fleming

The best part of the program was the diversity of the speakers. I believe everyone could find some inspiration and I am most inspired when I see ideas are put into actions. I really want to see our local WFWP become involved with other organizations.

- Ulrike Zomorod

Dr. Sandra Lowen's speech brought tears to my eyes, I found the subjects she spoke on applicable to my family relationships. I am realizing that a person must learn to speak another's love language to communicate better. I am truly ready to go home and actually do something different to express my love to my family and friends. I also think more direct opportunities for the young women to meet and connect with the older women is vital and more needed in the world.

- Lisa Canak

These women make it seem possible to 'run' with the vision we each have.

– Kim Dadachanji