WOMEN AS BRIDGE BUILDERS AWARDS: HONORING WOMEN'S COURAGE, COMPASSION, COMMITMENT

Apr 20

The Chicago chapter acknowledged national Women's History Month by celebrating women who serve in the community as role models and who display extraordinary courage, compassion, and commitment. Information was distributed around the city seeking nominations for a mother or mother figure to receive recognition through our first Women as Bridge Builders Award 2014.

From the nominations submitted, the committee chose 15 women from diverse sectors of the community to receive the award. Specifically chosen were a doctor, a judge, a radio host, a homemaker, a minister, a clergyman, a community activist, a prison minister, an educator, and Unificationists from several nations.

The awards ceremony was held on March 15 and was combined with a silent auction to benefit the WFWP Schools of Africa project. Eighty participants gathered to honor the award recipients. As Minister Fannie Smith read a brief biography of each recipient, Mrs. Patricia Fliginger gave each lady a beautifully framed certificate along with a special gift.

This event took on special importance as we spotlighted the Schools of Africa project. This project was begun by extraordinary WFWP ladies from Japan who voluntarily chose to answer the call of WFWP founders Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon in 1992 to leave their homes and go to Africa to serve the people there. Through that courageous endeavor, now, 21 years later, there are vibrant WFWP schools in eight African countries that are educating the youth there. A PowerPoint presentation, showing the foundation laid by the founders and WFWP Japan, gave the audience a picture of the results of the Japanese members' mother's heart to care for the children of the world.

After the presentation, Judge Marianne Jackson shared with us about the poor conditions of America's youth and how the United States has the highest rate of incarceration in the world. She sees American youths in her courtroom daily, and asked that mothers take action and have control over their families.

We were privileged to have Mrs. Monica K. Tindimubona, president of Chicago's Uganda community, speak on behalf of our African mothers and sisters. She encouraged everyone to support the work of WFWP and other NGOs, and pointed out the extreme difficulties, abuse, and hardship in providing educational opportunities for children in Africa. As an African herself, her words had a profound effect on all who heard her.

The atmosphere surrounding the silent auction to support the Schools of Africa project quickly turned to excitement and enthusiasm. There were also many enticing donations. Among them were two one-night stays at South Loop Hotel, gift certificates, an antique vase donated from the home of Rev. Willie T. Barrow, signed original artwork, and many more.

Honoring extraordinary women and supporting the Schools of Africa project is an ongoing effort in Chicago. There are many unsung heroes (or in this case "sheroes") in our city's communities, and honoring active, compassionate, courageous women is something the WFWP Chicago chapter is deeply committed to.