The Anthony R. Abraham Foundation as a supporter of the empowering work being done in the Detroit Community was proud to attend the ACCESS 45th Annual Dinner in Detroit Michigan honoring this year’s Arab American of the Year Awardees Ghassan Saab and Manal Saab & Champion Of Justice Awardee Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha.
With a sold out crowd of over 2000 attendees, the Detroit Community had an opportunity to be introduced to three truly impactful and empowering individuals who have made huge contributions to the Detroit community and especially the Arab American community.
Tonight we had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Mona Hannah- Attisha. Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards have been named to Time’s annual list of most influential people in the world for their roles in exposing lead contamination of Flint’s drinking water.
Hanna-Attisha, a pediatrician and director of the Michigan State University and Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative, conducted research that showed a dangerous spike in children’s blood-lead levels.
“I am honored and humbled to be on the TIME 100 Most Influential People list,” Hanna-Attisha said in a statement released today. “However, the most influential people in my world are the people of Flint — the smart, strong and resilient people of Flint that are approaching their third year of unsafe water. I hope this recognition continues to bring awareness to the ongoing Flint Water Crisis, and the very human story behind the crisis.”
Tonight illustrated the unique characteristics of the individuals Honored tonight by ACCESS.
Congratulations to all the participants for their commitment, compassion, drive, and dedication to serving their community in the country in which they love.
Thomas Abraham
Chairman
Anthony R. Abraham Foundation
Month: April 2016
It is with great honor to have had the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation again support the iAM St. Jude Hero’s Team in the 2016 South Beach Triathlon. These photographs show case those hero’s who supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in this year’s 2016 Life Time South Beach Triathlon. #IamStJudeHero #AbrahamFoundation #GodSpeed
Proud to Have the South Beach Fire Department join the iAM St. Jude Hero Team. Will have a big group join us tomorrow for the South Beach Tri.2016.
In short, IWSAW works at the intersection of academia and activism.
Specifically, IWSAW work rests upon 5 key pillars:
1. EDUCATION: Establish high-quality programs of study on gender issues at the undergraduate, graduate, and mid-career levels
2. RESEARCH: Strengthen research on/by women in the Arab world at national, regional, international levels
3. DEVELOPMENT: Engage in development projects that promote gender equality and empowerment of women and girls at the national and regional levels
4. OUTREACH: Enhance outreach and partnerships to promote the work of the Institute at the national, regional, and international levels
5. LAU ENGAGEMENT: Engage LAU students, faculty, staff and integrate LAU community in work of the Institute
In education, the Institute just launched a new undergraduate Minor in Gender Studies. There is also a Masters in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies – a one year program built on practical and theoretical applications of gender equality, human rights, and social justice along with service learning components. Additionally, IWSAW will soon launch a certificate program for mid-career professionals in Gender in Development and Humanitarian Assistance with LAU’s Continuing Education Program (CEP) and the Human Rights Education Associates (HREA).
For research, the bi-annual journal Al-Raida (The Pioneer) is IWSAW’s signature product – in publication since 1976. IWSAW is also producing Gender Profile Papers for each of the 22 Arab countries – soon to be released on the website. Additionally, the Institute hopes to soon begin a large research project to update its Female Labor Force in Lebanon study from 1997, in time for the 20-year anniversary. The study presents an opportunity to explore women’s economic empowerment looking not only at Lebanese women (as previous study did) but expanding to include all women in Lebanon (Syrian, Palestinian, Iraqi – plus migrant workers).
For outreach, IWSAW is part of a Gender Studies consortium that includes several Arab universities along with UC Davis. Together this consortium is working towards shared efforts on women’s studies and developing collaborative research projects in the region. The Institute is also supporting local women’s organizations through a multi-part training in proposal writing, strategic planning, networking, and communications – skills they need to be sustainable. Other outreach includes events for International Women’s Day and other international days. IWSAW also organizes an annual international conference. It is expected that this year’s theme will be economic empowerment in times of ongoing insecurity – a pressing issue in the region.
Please see the monthly update for more information: http://iwsaw.lau.edu.lb/messages/2016/04/april-2015.php
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Dr. Lina Abirafeh, PhD Director of Institute for Women’s Studies joined the Institute as Director in September 2015. Dr. Abirafeh background is in gender issues in development and humanitarian contexts in countries such as Haiti, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, and most recently, Nepal and completed her doctoral work from the London School of Economics and published a book based on her research entitled “Gender and International Aid in Afghanistan: The Politics and Effects of Intervention”. Please see her recent TEDx talk for more on my experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krSG-RtiWUA
Lina Abirafeh, PhD
Director
Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World (IWSAW)
Lebanese American University
Beirut, Lebanon
Thomas Abraham -Dr. Lina Abirafeh, PhD Director of Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World & Bishop Gregory John at LAU Gala NYC.
Lebanese American University- Middle School Global Classroom-Learn, Live, Lead. International Model United Nations Conference. United Nations Headquarters . Joy Nasr- Harvard Student , Tom Abraham- ARAF & Dr. Daniel Shapiro Founder & Director. Harvard International Negotiation Program.