International Museum of Women to Host Renowned World Community Leaders at Global Council Meeting and Public Forum.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The International Museum of Women will convene an inaugural meeting for its Global Council -- internationally renowned educational, medical, political and human rights leaders -- on June 20 and June 21. Members attending include Dr. Rajaa H. Dhaher Al-Khuzai, member, Iraqi National Assembly; Joyce Mungherera, Executive Director, YWCA, Uganda; Rt. Hon. A. Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of Canada; Luz Lajous, President of Promujer-Mexico; and the Honorable Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland.

"This is an historic event for the International Museum of Women and the city of San Francisco," said Elizabeth Colton, founding president and board chair of the International Museum of Women. "We have been working hard towards this day -- to welcome over one dozen women world leaders who are raising the voices and status of women around the globe."

The Global Council serves as advisors and advocates for the International Museum of Women, and provides a unique opportunity to establish connections to the wider global community of women. The Global Council meeting will culminate with a Public Forum, on Women's Human Rights: Personal Experiences from Women World Leaders, on Tuesday, June 21 at 5:00 PM at the Merchants Exchange Club, 465 California Street, San Francisco. The discussion will be moderated by Jane Wales, President and CEO, World Affairs Council of Northern California. A press reception will be held from 4:00-4:45 PM prior to the Public Forum. Members of the press are requested to RSVP to Maureen Blanc at [e-mail], or 415-543-4669, ex. 16. Tickets for the public forum are $25 and can be purchased online at www.imow.org, or by calling 415-487-6447.

The Global Council is an international group of diverse community leaders who are committed to strengthening and improving the lives of women throughout the world through: education, health care, social welfare, community development, politics, law, the arts, media, science, technology, sports, philanthropy, business, protection of the environment and the promotion of world peace and justice. They are supportive of and dedicated to the mission of the Museum and its timely development. Members of the Global Council are:

--Hafsat Abiola, Nigeria: Founder and Executive Director, Kudirat Initiative for Democracy.

--Mahnaz Afkhami, Iran (origin)/ U.S.A. (home): President and CEO, Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace.

--Rajaa H. Dhaher Al-Khuzai, Iraq: Member, Iraqi National Assembly.

--Barbara Barrett, U.S.A.: President and CEO, Triple Creek Guest Ranch; Former Deputy Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration.

--Rt. Hon. A. Kim Campbell, Canada (origin)/U.S.A. (home): Former Prime Minister of Canada; President, International Women's Forum.

--Indira Chakravarty, India: Director and Professor, All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Calcutta.

--Margaret Liu Collins, U.S.A.: Founder and CEO, Margaret Liu Foundation.

--Elizabeth L. Colton, U.S.A.: Board Chair, International Museum of Women.

--Anita L. DeFrantz, U.S.A.: President, Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles; Member, International Olympic Committee.

--Riane Eisler, U.S.A.: President, the Center for Partnership Studies.

--Eve Ensler, U.S.A.: Founder, V-Day; Playwright.

--Shamaya Gilo, Israel/ U.S.A.: Founder and President, Winds of Change Foundation.

--Noeleen Heyzer, Singapore/ U.S.A.: Executive Director, United Nations Development Fund for Women.

--Dolores Huerta, U.S.A.: Founder and President, Dolores Huerta Foundation; Co-Founder, United Farm Workers of America.

--Dadi Janki, U.K.: Co-Administrative Head, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University.

--Sister Jayanti, U.K.: European Director, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University.

--Luz Lajous, Mexico: Former Member of Mexican Congress; President of the Board, Promujer-Mexico.

--Patricia Licuanan, Philippines: President, Miriam College, Manila, Philippines; Former Chair, UN Commission on the Status of Women.

--Beatriz Merino, Peru: Former Prime Minister of Peru; Economist, World Bank, Washington D.C.

--Joyce Mungherera, Uganda: Executive Director, YWCA of Uganda; Vice President, YWCA Worldwide.

--Irene Natividad, Philippines (origin)/ U.S.A.(home): President, The Global Summit of Women.

--Mary Robinson, Ireland (origin) / U.S.A. (home): Former President of Ireland; Executive Director, Ethical Globalization Initiative; Former United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights.

--Larisa Skuratovskaya, Russia: Scientific Secretary, Institute of General Pathophysiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.

--Lynne Twist, U.S.A.: President, The Soul of Money Institute.

--Sandy Vogelgesang, U.S.A.: Former Ambassador to Nepal; President, Everest Associates.

The International Museum of Women is a global cultural and educational institution whose mission is to value the lives of women by raising the voices and status of women worldwide. The International Museum of Women will be the first institution of its kind to exhibit the global history of women, explore contemporary gender issues, and through education, serve as a catalyst for positive change. For more information about the Global Council and the International Museum of Women, please visit www.imow.org.