Half the Sky
The Half the Sky Interest Group was formed as an outgrowth of the January 2011 branch book discussion of Kristof and WuDunn's book Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. The group's mission is to heighten awareness of international women's issues through research and education. Members research and present information about organizations that specialize in supporting women in developing countries.
Meetings are held at a member's house on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Group members voluntarily donate $5.00 at each meeting and then vote to distribute the money to a worthy cause. Some of the organizations where charitable donations have been made are: Tostan - a program which seeks to eliminate female genital cutting through community education, the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund - with a request that the donation go towards a project to aid victims of sex trafficking, and the Hamilin Fistula Hospital - an Ethiopian hospital that provides care for women with obstetric fistulas. The group has also made microloans to help women run their own businesses in developing countries.
At our December meeting, we learned how to knit shawls for women of the Hamlin Fistula Hospital. I believe that Pat O'Dwyer took some photos at this meeting, so maybe I could contact her about seeing if some of these pics might be good for the website?
All members are welcome to join the group (contact Anne Klein), and anyone may be included on the email list for Half the Sky by sending an email to Perry Doubt.
Breaking through Barriers
for Women and Girls
Meetings and Programs
2011 - 2012
September 14, 2011 - 6:15pm (September Supper)
Location: Angelo’s Restaurant, 247 N York St, Elmhurst, IL
October 12, 2011 - 7:00pm
Illinois Legislative Review (Speaker) AAUW Lobbyist Paula Perdue
Location: Elmhurst Public Library,
125 S Prospect
November 9, 2011 - 7:00pm
Women of Influence in Chicago (Speaker) Chicago Architecture Foundation
Location: Elmhurst Public Library,
125 S Prospect
December 14, 2011 - 7:00pm
Holiday Get Together
Location: Flight 112
January 11, 2012 - 7:00pm
Book Discussion “Just Like Us: The True Story of Four Mexican Girls Coming to Age in America
Location: Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S Prospect
February 8, 2012 - 7:00pm
Race to Nowhere (Film Presentation and Discussion)
Location: Sandburg Middle School, 345 E St Charles Road
March 14, 2012 - 7:00pm
Woman’s History Month (Speaker) CARE
Location: Elmhurst Public Library,
125 S Prospect
April 11, 2012 - 7:00pm
Immigration Panel
Location: Elmhurst Public Library,
125 S Prospect
May 9, 2012 - 7:00pm
May Supper
Location: Wilder Mansion, Elmhurst, IL
