The Women of the Arab Spring

“The Women of the Arab Spring” will be the topic of a presentation by Ventura County resident Ferial Masry on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 from 7pm-8:30pm, at the Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks.

Among the most dramatic developments of the Arab Spring has been the key role of women in organizing and leading various movements. They have shattered traditional stereotypes and forged new identities in the process. We are pleased to begin our three-part series on “Understanding the Arab Spring” with a presentation on “The Women of the Arab Spring, “ by Ferial Masry.

Ms. Masry has visited the Middle East five times in the last two years, most recently in the summer of 2011. She was able to speak with government officials, women, university professors and students about the recent events and the role of women in them. Her presentation will be illustrated with dramatic photos highlighting the role that women are playing in this historic moment.

Born in Saudi Arabia and educated in Egypt, England, and the United States, Ms. Masry is the chair of the recently established American-Middle Eastern Women’s Leadership Coalition, whose goals include combating stereotypes and helping to empower women in the United States and the greater Middle East. A teacher of American Government and History at Cleveland High School in Los Angeles, she is also the author of the book, Running for All the Right Reasons. As a candidate for the 37th Assembly District of California, her campaigns drew national and international attention and she was featured as “Person of the Week” on ABC Nightly News.
A question and answer period will follow the presentation which is free and open to the public. Donations will be gratefully accepted to help us continue these programs.
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GLOBAL EXCHANGE Ventura County Supporters
http://globalexchangevc.blogspot.com/

For further Information, contact: Ferial Masry 805-300-7226

Global Exchange Ventura County Supporters is a group of people - a community of conscience - dedicated to providing local monthly public forums, supporting and working with other local organizations committed to social and economic justice, human rights and ecological sustainability. Global Exchange, headquartered in San Francisco, is an international human rights organization dedicated to promoting environmental, political and social justice. Since our founding in 1988, we have increased the US public's global awareness while building partnerships worldwide.

Visit: www.globalexchange.com

GLOBAL EXCHANGE VENTURA COUNTY SUPPORTERS TO HOLD LECTURE SERIES ON “UNDERSTANDING THE ARAB SPRING”

The “Arab Spring” has once again brought the Middle East to the forefront of international attention. Global Exchange Ventura County Supporters is pleased to announce that we have arranged a series of three presentations this fall to examine
the events that continue to sweep the region.

Among the most dramatic developments has been the key role of women in organizing and leading the various rebellions. They have shattered traditional stereotypes and forged their own new identities in the process. Our series will therefore begin on Wednesday, September 28, with a presentation by Newbury Park resident Ferial Masry on “The Women of the Arab Spring.” Ms. Masry recently returned from the region where she was able to speak with women, university professors, students and government officials about the recent events and the evolving role of women. Ms. Masry is the chair of the recently established American-Middle Eastern Women’s Leadership Coalition whose goals include combating stereotypes and helping to empower women both in the United States and the greater Middle East. She is also the author of the book, “Running for all the Right Reasons.”

Our October program will feature Amir Hussain, Associate Professor in the Department of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University. He will speak on the role of Islam in the Arab Spring, including such topics as the Muslim Brotherhood. Dr. Hussain is Chair of the Board of Scholars of the Center for Global Understanding.

Completing our series in November will be Hamoud Salhi, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Cal State University Dominguez Hills. He will speak on the recent events in North Africa, including Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. Prof. Salhi, a frequent guest on KPFK radio, was recently featured in a documentary on prominent Algerian Americans titled “Success Stories from the U.S.,” which was produced by Algerian National Television and the U.S. State Department.

We are confident that you will find these programs informative and stimulating and they will help build better understanding of the unfolding events in the Middle East.

All programs will be held in the Thousand Oaks Library and will be free of charge. More specific information, including dates, will be sent separately for each event

Due to an increase in cost in holding our programs at the Thousand Oaks Library we have had to reduce our program schedule. However, we still plan to hold stimulating and exciting programs on international, national and local issues. We thank you for your past attendance and look forward to your continued support.

Sponsored Events - Japanese-American internment camp survivor Shigeru Yabuk, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010

Come and join us to hear the story of Japanese-American internment camp survivor Shigeru Yabu at the Newbury Park Library, 1-3 pm, 2321 Borchard Road, Newbury Park

DECEMBER 7, 1941 PEARL HARBOR WAS BOMBED
And in the ensuing months 120,000 JAPANESE-AMERICANS on the West Coast had their lives uprooted by President Roosevelt signing Executive Order 9066 and sending them to 10 internment camps in 7 states, most in the remote West. This is the story of Shigeru Yabu and his family.  Barbara Bazaldura has written the book “A BOY OF HEART MOUNTAIN” based on his experiences and the time his family spent at a Japanese-American interment camp in Wyoming.  Shigeru Yabu, Barbara Bazaldura, and the book's illustrator, Willie Ito, will be there to share their stories with you.

For more information contact R. Henry at (805) 578-0563 or aclu.vc@verizon.net

DIRECTIONS FROM MOORPARK/SIMI VALLEY AREA: Take 118 West to the 23 South, and take the 101 North, off at Borchard Road which puts you on the overpass (of #101), continue south, turn right on Michael, left into Library Plaza parking lot, the Library is on the right side.

DIRECTIONS FROM OXNARD/VENTURA AREA: Take 101 South, take the Borchard offramp, turn right on Michael, left into Library Plaza parking lot, the Library is on the right side.

DIRECTIONS FROM AREAS SOUTH: Take 101 North, take the Borchard offramp which puts you on the overpass (of #101). Continue south, turn right on Michael, left into Library Plaza parking lot, the Library is on the right side.

Presented bySouthern California ACLU Ventura County Chapter and Global Exchange Ventura County Supporters

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Attack on American Workers - Wednesday, April 27, 2011, Thousand Oaks Library, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

GLOBAL EXCHANGE VENTURA COUNTY SUPPORTERS Presents THE ATTACK ON AMERICAN WORKERS Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Thousand Oaks Library,
1401 E. Janss Road
7:00 P.M- 8:30 P.M.

The recent controversial stripping of collective bargaining rights for state employees by Wisconsin Governor Walker has aroused nationwide attention to the dangers facing all American workers. Similar action is now being contemplated by several other states, including Ohio and New Jersey. While Wall Street bankers are again receiving record-high bonuses after being bailed out with taxpayer funds and major corporations hold trillions of dollars in profit, the American Middle Class is seeing its income and benefits shrink and its job opportunities declining as corporations continue to send jobs overseas. The Supreme Court ruling that corporations, with billions of dollars is assets, have the same rights in making political contributions as individuals makes it easier for corporations to influence elections to the disadvantage of American workers.

It is important for the American public to understand the consequences that these actions have on our workers.   Our April program will focus on this urgent issue and our guest speaker will be Adrienne Denny a prominent labor leader in Ventura County. Ms Denny is a chapter chair of the Tri- Counties Central Labor Council and a high school teacher in Camarillo.   Last December, she traveled to Wisconsin to speak to the state’s American Federation of Teachers leadership on how to build support for political activities in the workplace and heard their concerns about the actions that recently-elected Governor Walker was contemplating. Her informative presentation on the nation-wide problem as well as the dangers facing workers in California and Ventura County will be followed by an active discussion period that will include suggestions of what we can do at the local level to help combat the threats facing our workers

FREE PUBLIC PROGRAM
Information: (818)879-0462

The Global Exchange Ventura County Supporters is a group of people – a local community of conscience - dedicated to providing monthly public forums, supporting and working with other local organizations committed to social and economic justice, human rights and ecological sustainability, since 2003. Global Exchange,headquartered in San Francisco, is an international human rights organization dedicated to promoting environmental, political and social justice.  Since our founding in 1988, Global Exchange has increased the U.S. public's awareness while building partnerships worldwide.

http://www.globalexchangeventuracountysupporters.org