*Bridge of Peace awardees with gentlemen guests*

On October 8, the WFWP Arizona Chapter held a Bridge of Peace ceremony and honored ten outstanding women through the HerStory Award at the Chandler downtown library. The event was a huge success. Participants did not feel afraid to express their emotions. Lieutenant Phil Graham of the Chandler Police Department and Judge Mark Anderson embraced one another on the bridge. Four other pairs crossed the Bridge of Peace as representative pairs for repentance and healing.

The highlight of the event was when awards were handed out to women making a difference in the community. "I think even if one person thanks you, one person benefits from what you are doing, you are doing great," said Ms. Naye Olvera, online radio talk show host for Entre Mujeres Radio, “De Mujer a mujer.” Miss Olvera made a WFWP introductory video for the Bridge of Peace Ceremony and invited Rhia Nkulu, WFWP Arizona Chairwoman, to talk about WFWP on their station.

The Forti Family, representing all families, crossed the Bridge

Beauty Queen Miss Earth Arizona - Water 2015, Rebecca Jo Acero, received an award together with her mother Minnie De Gracia Acero for their outstanding community service to the homeless population living in Phoenix. Ms. Acero suffered her first grand mal seizure at the age of 12. She suffers from epilepsy but wanted the audience to know, "I have epilepsy; epilepsy does not have me."

Because of the epilepsy, enjoying a firework show on Independence Day is no longer possible owing to her body’s reaction to the loud noises. Ms. Acero found her own special way to celebrate Independence Day. She created "Rebecca's July 4th Hydration for the Homeless Project," which gives 600 bottles of water, 300 care packages, and numerous peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the homeless. She told me, "Epilepsy further fueled my passion for humanitarian work."

Award winner Farhana Shifa Ahmed owns an art school for children and adults. Ms. Ahmed is a Bangladeshi community leader in the Phoenix area and stated, "Take the leadership that is hiding inside of you and inspire others around you to become a leader." The HerStory Award ceremony inspired all who attended to demonstrate positive leadership traits in their local communities by helping those in need.

These are the awardees and the reason for their award:

Elenita Forti & Trina Forti: Mother and Daughter Outstanding Volunteer Service
Alma Morales and Jesse Armenta: Outstanding Musical Ambassador and Performance
Maribel Concordo Dillard: Outstanding Community Leader and Humanitarian
Haidee Liza Zmerzlikar: Outstanding Community Leader
Keiko Conn: Outstanding Community Leader
Farhana Shifa: Outstanding Community Leader
Minnie Acero & Rebecca Acero: Mother Daughter Outstanding Volunteer Service
Grace Espiritu Dising & Asia E. Dising: Mother Daughter Outstanding Volunteer Service
Jameela Sadiq:- Mother of the Year
Nasheilli Vidrio: Outstanding Community Leader

What a beautiful Bridge of Peace ceremony! How wonderful to honor ladies, both younger and older, who are truly making a difference in Arizona through humanitarian service work. Now, the WFWP Arizona Chapter is already preparing for a Christmas party and toy drive to continue working in Arizona to help those less fortunate to bring hope and joy to people's’ lives. Truly, women are leaders of the heart!