AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER - UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
 

Call for Nominations of African Women of Distinction, 12/06


This is a call for nominations for inclusion in the book and video documentary, ?African Women of Distinction" (working title) to exhibit in Africa and the U.S. in December, 2006. The African Women of Distinction project profiles the stories and work of twenty women in Africa who embody the essence of leadership, determination, and innovation in addressing social, economic and political issues at local, national, and international levels. This is the first of several editions of this project.

Profiled women for the 2006 "African Women of Distinction" project will come from across Africa and represent diverse social, economic and political backgrounds and come from all walks of life-- mothers, government and business leaders, community activists, scientists, and grandmothers. African Women of Distinction will provide a reality-based and all-encompassing depiction of women in Africa, including their role as nurturers, as agents of peace, and as ?social rebels?.

Integrated within the African Women of Distinction project is an African Women of Distinction Leadership program that unites and builds solidarity between the women, and facilitates mentorship with other women in Africa. To reaffirm our commitment to young women and their importance to the future of Africa, five young women between the ages of 18 and 30 will be honoured based on their potential for extraordinary leadership and service in Africa.

Selection criteria:

1. Should be a positive role model and demonstrate leadership in their chosen field. 2. Should be someone whose achievements have made an impact at local, national or international levels. 3. Individuals who have been the first in initiating an activity that made living conditions better for others. 4. Embody excellence and leadership in her field of endeavor. 5. Someone who has shown courage in public life and public service or is/has been involved in a great cause for the uplifting of humanity.

Note: Fields of art, faith, education, technology, media, politics, health, music, will all be considered.

Nominations should meet some of the above criteria and
include:

1. Background information on the nominee addressing the selection criteria 2. Details of specific achievements (supporting materials may be attached) 3. Name, mailing address, e-mail and phone number (if available) of nominee 4. Name, mailing address, e-mail and phone number (if available) of nominator There are no limitations to the nominated women's social, economic or political status, age, education, and/or literacy skills.

Nominations are accepted in Portuguese, English, French, and Arabic. Selections will be made by an international panel in August 2006.

A completed nomination form (see below) must be submitted by July 31, 2006 to:

Email: mailto:nomination@mail.com

Fax:+1 831 306 5951
Mail:
NOMINATION: AWOD
c/o Amanda Koster and Neema Mgana
3842 Interlake Ave. N Seattle, WA 98103
USA All selected women will be notified by September 1, 2006. For further information, please email: mailto:nomination@mail.com Project leads: Neema Mgana, social entrepreneur. Neema Mgana (nmgana@forumforglobalaction.org) was the youngest of 1000 women from around the world jointly nominated for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize. In 2000, she co-founded an organization providing education, health and other services to over 200 children affected by HIV/AIDS in her native Tanzania. She then founded the African Regional Youth Initiative (ARYI) while a first-year graduate student in 2003. ARYI presently works directly with over 300 community and youth organizations to jointly develop, implement, and evaluate community, national and regional strategies and programs focusing on development issues in Africa. In an effort to foster innovative thinking on international development, she co-founded the Forum for Global Action in 2006. A leading program within the Forum is on women's leadership that is being implemented in Africa, Asia, and South America. She is currently a board member of several different organizations, and is spearheading projects to improve health delivery in Africa, including projects developing health and education facilities in rural Africa. She received a Masters degree in International Health from Loma Linda University of Health Science in the U.S., a BSc. in Health Informatics from the University of Victoria in Canada, and is pursuing a business degree. She also has certificates in Humanitarian Assistance and International Peace Studies. Amanda Koster, documentary photographer and media artist Amanda Koster (amandakoster.com) is an internationally acclaimed documentary photographer committed to the advancement of human rights and cultural diversity in the arts. Koster studied photography in NYC at the International Center for photography and holds a BA degree in anthropology concentrating on women?s and religious studies from Southern Connecticut State University. Her editorial work appears in Newsweek, Fortune, People, Fast Company and Metropolis in addition to working with non-profit organizations around the world. In 2004, she was awarded a Lucie Award and also 1st place: photo essay by The Society of Professional Journalists for her project ?AIDS IS Knocking?, a documentary about AIDS orphans and widows in Western Kenya. Another award-winning long-term project ?This Is Beautiful?, which has been exhibited around the world looks at body image and redefines the innate beauty of all women. Amanda has also worked extensively with youth media projects internationally, teaching photography as a tool for documentary storytelling creating a voice and outlet forunderrepresented youth. Koster is a 2006 recipient of the GAP Grant and additionally ?Money For Women In the Arts/Barbara Deming Memorial Fund? for her project Moroccan Women?s Song Project. The project, collaboration with Festival Fès, documents female Berber and Arab Musicians of Morocco with hopes to spark an interest in this region and also show that there is more than one image of Women in Islam. Amanda will be featured as 1 of 50 women in the upcoming book: "In Their Shoes." (by Deborah Reber, publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2007) The book will give teen girls the real scoop on different careers through profiles of women thriving in their fields. The bookwill inspire girls to make smart choices and realize their dreams. Koster is faculty at the Photographic Center Northwest in Seattle, WA.
Call for Nominations of African Women of Distinction
June 5, 2006 There are no limitations to the nominated women's social, economic or political status, age, education, and/or literacy skills. Nominations are accepted in Portuguese, English, French, and Arabic. Selections will be made by an international panel in August 2006. All selected women will be notified by September 1, 2006. For further information, please email: nomination@mail.com Nominations must be postmarked, hand-delivered, e-mailed, or faxed by July 31, 2006. NOMINEE
Individual First Last - or -
Organization Name Describe the nominee in ten words or less:



Please type or handwrite and attach a description (600 words maximum) of the nominee?s contribution to the uplifting of humanity in Africa.



Note key professional credits, accomplishments, highlights the nominee has supported.


NOMINEE
Mailing Address
City
State
Postal Code
Country
Day Phone:
Evening Phone
E-mail

NOMINATOR Nominations will not be considered without this information.

Name of Nominator (individual or organization)
Contact Name (if organization is nominator)
Mailing Address
City
State
Postal Code
Country
Day Phone
Evening Phone
E-mail

DEADLINE: July 31, 2006.
Submit form and one-page description by e-mail, fax, mail, or hand delivery to:

Mailing Address:
NOMINATION: AWOD c/o
Amanda Koster
and Neema Mgana
3842 Interlake Ave. N

Fax: +001 831 306 5951
E-mail: nomination@mail.com
Seattle, WA 98103
USA



Page Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar, Ph.D.

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