VGIF 40th Anniversary
40th Anniversary Meeting
View slide show Photos courtesy of Norman J. McCulloughwww.greystonephoto.com
Celebrate - Host a Party
Party in a Box
Travel
Nepal/India VGIF Conference with IFUWA Updates Photos from Nepal
Honor Friends
VGIF Friends Honored Honor a Friend
VGIF Conference with the India Federation of University Women Association
18TH TO 20TH NOVEMBER 2009
18TH TO 20TH NOVEMBER 2009
18th November
4:30 p.m. - Press Conference at Hotel Hindustan International
6:30 p.m. - Grand inauguration and cultural programme at Hotel Hindustan International
19th November
9:00 a.m. - Seminar on "Women, Water & Food Security" at the American Centre
1:00 p.m. - LUNCH
2:00 p.m. - Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund Projects in India
20th November
10:00 a.m.- Visit to Project Five-O Project
2:00 p.m.- Meeting of IFUWA to be held at Calcutta Club to be followed by Tea
In the Press
Universal sisterhood
Kolkatta Mirror
By Rajani Yadav Posted On Monday, November 23, 2009 at 05:30:45 PM
Virginia Guildersleeve International Fund feels that the range of expertise among women is something that the world needs
Virginia Guildersleeve International Fund (VGIF) and Indian Federation of University Women’s Associations (IFUWA) came together to celebrate VGIF’s 40th anniversary celebrations on November 18.Eileen Menton, president of VGIF, Fay Kittelson, executive director of VGIF, Enakshi Chattopadhyay, president of IFUWA, Louise Croot, president of IFUW were present.
The two organisations jointly held a seminar on ‘Women, Water and Food Security’ at the Lincoln Room in the American Center on November 19.
The first to speak was Louise Croot, who said, “What is common to both these organisations is that they are 90 years old, which is a long period for developing inter-cultural relations. Both these organisations are abuzz with a lot of project activity. VGIF alone has over 79 affiliates, members of 120 countries. We do not have any political stance, we are a very open and flexible organisation. We share historical ties with India. We see the potential of increasing our membership through our association with India. This in turn will generate multi-generational membership.”
On being questioned as to why the programmes were women specific, she said, “The range of expertise among women is something that the world needs. Changes in the gender architecture will be of immense help to the world at large in the days to come.”
Having funded 54 projects in India alone, they are looking forward to expand their membership in the region. One of the first to benefit from VGIF was project 5-O Thakurpukur, Kolkata. This explains their longstanding relationship with the city.
Enakshi Chattopadhyay, president IFUW, greeting the delegates said, “What a remarkable job they are doing all over the world. They’ve tried to bring change from the grass-root level, not many organizations can do this. I feel honoured to have you amongst us this evening.”
The audio-visual presentation which had to be stopped midway because of a technical snag showcased a glimpse of the enormous work that they have undertaken in South and Central America, Africa, Eastern Europe, former Soviet Union and last but certainly not the least South Asia.
Responding to the AV, Chitra Ghosh, ex-president of IFUW, said, “This a very brief report of the mammoth work they’ve undertaken. If we have been able to do something in the last 25 years for our more unfortunate sisters, it is because of VGIF.”
Speaking to one of the beneficiaries from Andhra Pradesh D Leelavathi, president, Rural Development Women Welfare Society (RDWFS) it emerged, “Had it not been for VGIF we would not have been able to grow from a small group of 25 to an 850 member organisation. Help came from VGIF in 2006, USD 5000 for a year, and since then there has been no looking back. We’ve been able to generate many self-funded programmes like pickling, tailoring, medicinal plants cultivation, literacy programme and a small pre-school to name a few.”
kolkata.mirror@gmail.com
>> photos
Conference Notes and Photos
Pre-conference reception in Calcutta
Left to Right: Fay Kittelson,
US
Consul General Beth Payne, Shirley Randell, Nancy Vang
Tweets from Kolkata
Kolkata Mirror - VGIF feels that the range of expertise among women is
something that the world needs http://bit.ly/4ZXUce #vgif40
Empowerment is not an automatic outcome of micro finance. Why are 90% of the
borrowers women; 90% of banker men? #vgif40
Did you know 42% of children in India are malnourished; 46% underweight; &
58% of pregnant women are anemic? Frightening stats #vgif40
Protests yesterday over food prices in Delhi; many shops closed. Cost of
legumes - basis of most Indian's diet is up 23% this year. #vgif40
Met at IP College Delhi w/ Minster for Health & Family Welfare, Women &
Child Development & Languages http://bit.ly/4jfTLF #vgif40
Photos from the Nepal leg of our trip. http://bit.ly/4mqE66 #vgif40
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