CHICAGO HISPANIC COMMUNITY FOR PEACE CELEBRATES INT'L WOMEN'S DAY

On March 18, Women's Federation for World Peace was invited by the Chicago Hispanic Community for Peace to celebrate  International Women's Day during the Hispanic monthly Sunday service celebration. It was highlighted by the presence of Angelika Selle, president of WFWP USA, as the guest speaker. More than 50 people came to honor women on that day.

Rev. Kazuo Takami gave welcoming remarks and prayed for the event, women, and families.

It was a wonderful bilingual gathering (English and Spanish), with Mrs. Maria Valles Garcia, human resources manager of the Excel Co., as the emcee, who did a great job.

Rev. Jhon and Marina Acevedo, co-founders of the Chicago Hispanic Community for Peace, gave a tribute to WFWP, Rev. In Jin Moon (daughter of WFWP Founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon), and to Mrs. Selle. The Acevedos presented the mission and vision statement of the CHCP as a bridge to bring families to the Founders by teaching the Divine Principle and the importance of women.

Mrs. Patricia Fliginger, WFWP chairwoman in Chicago, introduced the guest speaker and the officers of the local chapter, Mrs. Noriko Ogden and Mrs. Fannie Smith.

Mrs. Selle presented the WFWP mission statement and spoke about the organization's national activities. Her dynamic and charismatic personality captured the heart of our grass-roots community. In her message, she encouraged women and men to uphold their God-given principles and values, and not to be afraid of having a different race, language, or religion, because we are one family under God.

The CHCP leadership presented a gift of appreciation to Mrs. Selle, and she offered the final benediction with all the participants formed a circle.

The second part of our service was the monthly birthday celebration. Mrs. Fannie Smith, WFWP field coordinator for Illinois, and all the birthday celebrants cut the cake with Mrs. Selle, and they each received a birthday present.

This was followed by a pot-luck dinner offered by all the members of the CHCP.

The meeting ended with dancing and singing. The entertainment was provided by DJ Santiago Torres and karaoke singer Adolfo Cos. Everybody danced and enjoyed the party.

In the weekly follow-up meeting at home, CHCP members expressed their desire to commit themselves to the WFWP, to take advantage of the momentum, and to work together for a better and peaceful world.