Our PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program for 2014 is officially, and successfully, wrapped up. July 11 we welcomed our women entrepreneurial students from both Rwanda and Afghanistan to the Cedar Hill Campus of Northwood University. The week of Business Boot Camp was filled with:
- Classroom curriculum
- One-on-one mentoring
- A variety of business related field trips
- AT&T hosted our group on Wed., July 16, at their AT&T Technology University for a luncheon, tour and workshops.
- Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan Crocker, led our In-country facilitator’s, Manizha Wafeq and Rose Busyinge, in a discussion of current events in their country and the impact that PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® is having on economic stability. Ambassador Crocker and the entire audience were impressed with their knowledge and composure.
Our students had a very exciting Mentorship week. All of our mentors did a wonderful job of giving hands on experience to their students in a matched industry. Fakhria Ibrahimi and Joan Mazimhaka were mentored by Sonu Ratra in Silicon Valley. During their mentorship week Sonu took Joan and Fakhria on tours and met with executives at Google, Sysco, Oracle, Facebook, McAfee, Kaiser Permanante, Brocade, Gilead and Visa. It was exciting to hear from the women about their amazing week that Sonu had put together.
Also, during our mentorship week, IEEW Board Member Jan Hill, and her staff at Eden Salon & Spas, put on an incredible 2014 Jewel Fashion Show. This year’s runway event was held at Gaillardia Golf and Country Club in Oklahoma City. The show highlighted fashions from our Rwandan student, Kevine Kagirimpundu, and there were makeovers for Suited for Success. Other runway fashions were provided by r meyers and Spencer Stone. Worth New York also donated fashions that the students modeled. The event raised $20,000 for the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program. This money goes toward offsetting the cost of student’s education. We cannot thank Jan Hill and her staff enough for the generosity of time, effort, and spirit.
As every year, we conclude our program with the 2-day International Women’s Economic Summit and Graduation hosted by AT&T. A special thanks this year to NBA (the National Business Association) who presented scholarship awards to Anita Haguma of Rwanda and Fakhria Ibrahimi of Afghanistan. All of the women received honorary memberships to the NBA and the awards were presented during the Summit.
We were thrilled this year that we were able to hold our 2014 graduation at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas. Former Secretary of Education and the current President of the Center, Margaret Spellings, was our keynote speaker. Our In-Country facilitator’s, Manizha and Rose, acted as co-Mistress of Ceremonies. We enjoyed incredibly moving speeches from Habiba Sadeqi of Afghanistan and Joan Mazimhaka of Rwanda. Monica Smiley, IEEW Board Member and Publisher of Enterprising Women Magazine honored Fakhria Ibrahimi and Chantal Munanayire with the Enterprising Women Award. Monica’s comments, as she presented the awards, were very emotional and I have to say, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. It was a memorable night for all.
To all of our sponsors, Board of Directors, Advisory Committee, mentors, and our army of volunteers we offer our deepest gratitude. Words can never truly express how important you are to our mission to educate and empower women around the world.
To our 2014 students, we thank you for taking the time to further your education. We are well aware of the sacrifice you make in taking time away from your families and businesses in the pursuit of a better life. We are honored by your dedication to return to your countries and to pay forward your knowledge as you mentor others who will follow in your footsteps. Together, we can make the world a safer and more productive place by taking the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® message, rather than conflict, into the world. Bless you all for your commitment and congratulations on your accomplishment of graduating from the 2014 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program.
For those of you who want to get involved in 2015 contact our office at 405-943-4474 or e-mail Sherrie Phillips at [email protected].