UNITY AND COLLABORATION BEYOND WFWP: WFWP ARIZONA AND HERSTORY AWARDEES HOST INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S CELEBRATION IN ARIZONA
Editor’s note: some information in this article was taken from the Filipino-American Journal and VietLifeStyle Magazines.
At a WFWP Arizona event last year, “HerStory” awards were given out to amazing women in our community. Through this, WFWP Arizona Chairwoman, Rhia Clemente Nkulu, made many contacts, including HerStory Awardee Mai Le Thanh, owner of a Vietnamese TV and Radio Production and Vietnamese lifestyle magazine. Ms. Thanh invited WFWP to collaborate in preparing an International Women’s Month Celebration, which included the Sisterhood Bridge of Peace Ceremony. After less than 2 months of preparation, WFWP Arizona and their contacts, the Vietnamese Cultural Club, the International Culture Women Club, and De Mujer a Mujer, successfully co-hosted such an event on March 31, 2018. Many of the organizers were previous WFWP HerStory Award recipients.
Although the Bridge of Peace Ceremony is a signature event that WFWP has hosted many times, this event was noteworthy because it represented a large scale collaboration between WFWP and other organizations and individuals. This is the power of women working together!
The Women of Distinction Awardees
Nine women in Arizona were honored during the celebration of the International Women’s Month at the C-Fu Gourmet Restaurant in Chandler on March 31st. It was a well-attended event from various cultural sectors of the community, including the Asian American community and the Latino community. Those given awards as 2018 Women of Distinction were: Christianne Stevens Acosta, a Hispanic American; Elaine Wong, a Chinese American; Inas Alawam, an Arab American; Connie Sunday, a Caucasian American; Nhu Holder, a Vietnamese American; Pat Gillum, an African American; MJ Barjose, a Filipina American; Elizabeth Jenkins, a Vietnamese American; and Salina Imam, a Bangladeshi American. The nine awardees were honored for their inspiring personal stories and contributions to the community and world wide (please read more about these women at the end of this article). They are the faces of the diversity of Arizona.
Senator Kimberly Yee, the first Asian American woman to serve in the Arizona legislator in the state’s history, was the guest speaker during the event. She congratulated the awardees for their commitment and invaluable services to the community and the public in general, and she encouraged women to continue their noble work. The event was also attended by Barry Wong of the Office of the Arizona Governor, who read the proclamation of Governor Doug Ducey on the International Women’s Day celebration. Governor Ducey said that the proclamation is aimed at “recognizing the achievements of women and their contributions to our state, nation, and society.” He also emphasized that the “women from across the United States have contributed to the great achievements and prosperity of our country and these examples of leadership, courage, and determination should be honored and recognized.” The event was also graced by beauty pageant winners from the various Asian communities, who paraded during the event. There were also a number of cultural presentations from various groups, especially from the Vietnamese community.
During her speech, Mai Le Thanh emphasized the significance of celebrating the International Women’s Month “by collaborating with each other to host an inter-community event to recognize all exemplary women from all communities. This is also an effort on our part to build a more extensive connection and a stronger network for all women in our beautiful sunshine state of Arizona. Tonight, for the first time ever in Arizona history, all American women from different ethnicities (Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Bangladeshi, Japanese, Hispanic, African American, Caucasian American, and Arab American) are gathered to celebrate the International Women’s Month event. We have made history in Arizona by coming together to honor and empower the women from various communities.”
At the event, WFWP Arizona Chairwoman Rhia Clemente Nkulu introduced the Bridge of Peace with the song, “Where Peace Begins,” which even the male guests joined in singing, including the city of Chandler’s incoming Mayor Kevin Hartke. After the women participants crossed the bridge, we inspired Mr. Hartke, and the Vietnamese Community President, Dr. Kevin Dang, to cross as well! It was a testament to the power of what united women can do.
Overall, there were more than 400 guests in 40 tables, 7 of which were from WFWP, and the rest of whom were from other local groups who joined us, like the Sisterhood Extravaganza, Influential Women of Arizona, Falcon’s Guard Center, the Filipino community, the Latinas community, and Family Federation for World Peace members.
Left to right: WFWP Arizona Chairwoman Rhia Clemente Sisterhood Extravaganza CEO and Founder Pat Gillum and Christianne Acosta of Influential Women of Arizona
In the future, WFWP Arizona hopes to continue annually collaborating with these women organizations representing such diverse groups to prepare and host future celebrations of International Women’s Day, and other events like the 1st Anniversary of BuhayBuhay sa Amerika on August 25, 2018.
WFWP Arizona Chairwoman Rhia Clemente Nkulu suggested having husbands and wives cross the Bridge of Peace instead of just sisters. As a bonus outcome from the 2018 event, WFWP Arizona earned almost $300, despite not spending a dime from their WFWP budget.
Thank you to: Philip Weaver Photography and Photos by Elena and Jim for capturing each moment, and the Filipino-American Journal and VietLifeStyle Magazines for covering the event; Maria and Gary Young for stepping up to help with the registration; Irma Deihl and Romiro for being our wonderful Emcees; and, most importantly, WFWP Founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon for her leadership in creating WFWP. Through the experience of putting on this event, we gained confidence to make a difference every day in the community. Dr. Moon inspires all of us. Unity and collaboration are the keys to success, as proven by the various organizations that joined forces to put on the March 31st event!
More information on the awardees
Christianne Stevens Acosta: known as a trusting and honest friend, who is always helping community and local charities. A former Miss Arizona, she seeks to understand each woman and empower them.
Elaine Wong: a cheerful person filled with energy and enthusiasm. Elaine’s knowledge and commitment to success is truly an asset to any event organization. Her friendly personality and strength in communication skills generate enthusiasm in everyone she meets.
Inas Alawam: from Syria and crowned as Miss Arab USA 2018. She is an ambassador of Goodwill and the official representative of the Arab American women. She represents a story of perseverance and breaking the barriers.
Connie Sunday: knows how to get things done and believes the best gift in life is to empower others to take initiative and to provide opportunities for a hand up to those in need. She is a superstar activist and believes in collaborative efforts.
Nhu Holder: a successful business entrepreneur who created many jobs in Arizona and California. She believes in providing opportunities for all by strong job growth. She is a community builder who always stands by the people who are in need.
Pat Gillum: an amazing powerhouse of a woman. She is an award-winning international speaker, bestselling author, and certified life and business empowerment coach who works with purpose-driven, high-achieving women. She is passionate about helping women become empowered to change their own lives.
MJ Barjose: an inspiring leader who believes in bringing hope for underprivileged families, especially for single mothers. She is a dedicated volunteer in serving communities and a champion of acts of kindness.
Elizabeth Jenkins: has a story of overcoming adversity and turning it into strength. She is a fearless fighter, with a giving heart and strong leadership, working to stop poverty of children around the world.
Salina Imam: never stops smiling and helping others. People know her as a super woman who works day and night. She has a long track record of helping children, orphans, domestic violence victims, refugees, and disaster relief victims, through mental health counseling programs.
Irma O. Deihl: Co-Host of Spanish Radio Show De Mujer a Mujer.
