Circle of Courage to Be Awarded to Senator Boxer on August 8 at Luncheon by AWAI and WIN in the Afghan Community.

News Editors/Political Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 22, 2003

The Afghan Women's Association International (AWAI) and Women's Intercultural Network (WIN) are hosting a special benefit luncheon in Fremont, Calif., on August 8, 2003, 11:00 a.m., to honor Senator Barbara Boxer with the "Circle of Courage" Award for her efforts to promote human rights for women in Afghanistan.

This event is a benefit for bringing emerging Afghan women leaders to California for a leadership exchange in the Fall and the second phase of the "Calling the Circle of Women from U.S. and Afghanistan" project. The U.S. delegation, comprised of leaders from community organizations, will share their personal stories about the first part of the leadership exchange when they met with women leaders in Afghanistan in May. The U.S. delegation to Afghanistan included AWAI's Rona Popal, Charlie Toledo, WIN Chair of the Board of Directors and Director of the Suscol Intertribal Council, Elahe Amani, President of the Coalition of Women from Asia and the Middle East, and Marilyn Fowler, President and CEO of WIN.

Senator Barbara Boxer is being recognized for her heroic efforts as a longtime advocate for Afghan women and girls and co-author of the 1999 and 2001 bipartisan Boxer-Brownback Resolution. The resolution reflects the motivation for the Afghan Circle project, stating that "Afghan women must be included in planning the future reconstruction of Afghanistan and future Afghan governments must include the effective participation of women."

Partner organizations supporting the efforts include the American Association of University Women, Coalition of Women from Asia and the Middle East, Planned Parenthood of Golden Gate, National Women's Political Caucus of CA, Global Exchange, Commissions on the Status of Women, Suscol Intertribal Council, Human Rights Advocates, Department of Labor/Women's Bureau Region Nine, as well as the organizing leadership of California Women's Agenda (CAWA).

The luncheon event will begin on Friday, August 8, at 11 a.m., with Senator Boxer proclaimed Circle of Courage recipient at 11:30, followed by an outstanding Afghani lunch and program. The site is Flamingo Palace, 4100 Peralta Blvd in Fremont. All proceeds will benefit bringing Afghan women to the U.S. for a leadership exchange. For further information and reservations, contact WIN at 415/221-4841 or email [e-mail]. Information is also available at: www.win-cawa.org.