Third Convocation in CA, February 16-19, 2017

By Barbara Kres Beach

Look at it this way.  Imagine a world where women and girls can make choices—get an education, have a business, earn equal pay for equal work, participate in politics and live free from violence and discrimination.  Through the International Women’s Convocation (IWC) you can help advance women’s rights and support women’s empowerment.

The IWC grew out of the first International UU Women’s Convocation in Houston, Texas in 2009.  There, over 600 women and men gathered to develop partnerships.  Over eight months in 2012, IWC sponsored both a meeting in the Philippines and the Second International Women’s Convocation in Transylvania—which brought together over 500 women and people of liberal faiths from 12 different countries.  In November, 2015, 60 women from around the world came together in Bolivia to build a common vision toward making the world a better place.

At the Asilomar Center, Asilomar, CA, the Third International Convocation will take place from February 16 to 19.  Here, women and men will be joining to strengthen the international U*U women’s movement.

IWC helps incubate programs and innovative grassroots projects that enhance the lives of women and their families worldwide.  Go to www.IntlWomensConvo.org.

• IWC and the African Rural Schools Foundation operate a micro-loan program in Mutundwe Village, near Kampala, Uganda, funded through IWC’s Africa Fund. 54 women received business training and 40 women successfully borrowed (and paid back) funds to expand their businesses.
• Women in Transylvania moved to use proceeds from the Convocation there to begin a five-module Leadership School and to provide grants to leadership project.
• In India, Khasi women, inspired by the Second Convocation, have organized local workshops addressing domestic violence, health, education, and economic empowerment. They have launched a successful leadership development program.

There is more to tell than can be included in this brief article.  It would be spectacular to see TJMC in California.  There we will be in touch with U*Us from around the world.

For information and help making that connection, please contact Barbara Kres Beach

(barbarakresbeach@gmail.com).  Barbara, a TJMC member, served as Founding President of this organization, and you won’t be surprised to learn, she is very enthusiastic to share it with you.