CELEBRATION WOMEN
The Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) March meeting was held at the Family Learning Center in Elk Grove Village (Chicago), on Saturday, March 19, 2011 from 2:00-4:30pm. Our theme was: “Celebration of Women History Month and Human Rights of Women”.
We wanted to shed light on the value of women and the sacrifices they have made to enrich our country, nation and the world. We also wanted to address the fact that women continue to be raped, kidnapped, and persecuted around the world because of inhumane beliefs. Exposing these practices is our responsibility to our sisters and brothers everywhere, as can be seen in other WFWP activies, such as the Human Rights rally in DC which was postponed after the devastation in Japan occurred.
Pat gave the welcome and spoke of the history of WFWP’s founders Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon as well as current president Angelika Selle and the importance of our organization and mission. We showed everyone our website and demonstrated how to become a member online. We discussed our various projects and explained how to directly offer donations to help Japan. We reported about our retreat in Tybee, Ga last month.
Three of our sisters (Noriko, Sara and Harue), sang a traditional Japanese song about the hometown.
During our meeting we solicited the time and effort of our audience. Brainstormed ideas and activities with which WFWP could enhance their lives. Several women indicated that they were raising children alone because of the death of husband or partner. Having a group to relate with would be helpful while others were willing to donate time to make phone calls for meeting\gatherings etc. I suggested what Angelika did in Tybee asking each to tell us their passions, and Pat is working on a Response Survey for us to distribute.
Toward the end of our meeting, the group gathered around a long table decorated with a vase of flowers, 2 large pink candles, and punch bowl with water. Each person stood, plucked a flower petal placed the petal in the bowl of water and then said a personal prayer for Japan. It was a very emotional prayer time.
