PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS Named ‘Program Making a Difference’
October 8th, 2009 Posted by admin
Terry Neese with Rwanda's Ambassador to the United States James Kimonyo and Rwanda's Minister of Gender Jeanne D’Arc Mujawamariya.
The Institute’s PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program was one of four programs in all of Oklahoma named as a “Program Making a Difference” at the Journal Record’s annual Woman of the Year forum and dinner. About 500 people attended the dinner on Oct. 1 hosted at the Cox Business Services Convention Center. Attendees included Oklahoma business owners, city and state officials, as well as sponsors of the event.
Special guests at the event included Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United States, James Kimonyo, Rwanda’s Minister of Gender Dr. Jeanne D’Arc Mujawamariya, and Rwandan genocide survivor and author Immaculee Ilibagiza. Ilibagiza’s life was changed after she and seven other women lived in a cramped bathroom for 91 days in order to survive the horrific genocide in 1994.
Rwanda and its people soon tugged on the heart strings of Mary Melon, publisher of the Journal Record, after she hosted 2008 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS student, Goretti Kabuto.
The 2009 Woman of the Year was awarded to Oklahoma City’s assistant manager, Catherine O’Connor. The award is given to an Oklahoma woman to in recognition of her service to her community and her leadership in business.
