March 8 - Women of Gaza

Linda Brebner, formerly on EEWC's governing Council, sends this suggestion from Alice Walker and Code Pink for International Women's Day, March 8:

A Letter from Alice Walker to Code Pink
www.codepinkalert.org

February 20, 2009

Dear Linda,
During the recent ruthless assault on the people of Gaza when so many people were injured or murdered, I lost my own sister; she had been ill for many years. The loss of this one person, whose death was anticipated, was such a blow, that when I considered the losses to the people of Gaza - of mothers, children, fathers, brothers, uncles, cousins, and friends, I wondered how the anguish of so much tragic loss could be sustained. Housing, hospitals, nurseries, libraries, schools, were also lost. Surely the blow to the human spirit would be intolerable for many, and there would seem little reason for continuing to live.
Going to Gaza is our opportunity (my partner Garrett Larson's and mine) to express solidarity with the people there. To demonstrate the concern we feel each day for the suffering endured. Read more…
Alice WALKER

We are delighted that Alice Walker and her partner Garrett Larson will be joining our delegation to Gaza as will 25 other amazing people from around the world. The response to our call to spend International Women's Day with the women of Gaza has been overwhelming!

We were invited to Gaza by the women who run the Gender Division of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) who work everyday with poor women whose families have been devastated by the occupation and invasion.

When we asked them what we could bring with us in terms of humanitarian aid, they responded,

"Bring the women some nice gift baskets that, in addition to useful products, have something special for them as women. This is the one day we can really honor them and lift their spirits."

So we have developed gift baskets that will both pamper and sustain:

For $10, you can purchase one of these baskets, to be hand-delivered to a woman in Gaza for International Women's Day. The baskets will contain vitamins, first-aid materials, and food items, but also sweet-smelling soaps and shampoos, a beautiful pink head scarf, sweets and tea. Click here to buy one gift basket.

The women of Gaza are living with grace and resilience under incredibly stressful and dangerous conditions; for $10, you can brighten their day and remind them that the women of the world are with them in solidarity. For $50, you can do something special for 5 women. $100 will bring a message of love and support to 10 women's lives.

Please donate today and encourage your friends and family to donate, as well. You can even hold fundraisers in your community to reach as many women in Gaza as possible.

To make your gift even more personal, you and your children can send letters and drawings to 712 5th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 and we'll place them in the baskets.

If you wish to deliver the gift baskets in person, click here to find out how you can travel to Gaza with Alice Walker, Medea Benjamin, Ann Wright, Gael Murphy, and other amazing people from around the globe on March 5--March 12 or how you might join a delegation in the future.

Thank you for helping to show the women of Gaza that we love and honor them.
In solidarity,Audrey, Blaine, Dana, Deidra, Desiree, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Jean, Jodie, Liz, Lori, Medea, Nancy, Paris, and Rae