Half the Sky

NEWS FOR HALF THE SKY
Interest Group Chair, Betty Laliberte

YOU ARE INVITED!

2024-25 Schedule

TUESDAY, Sept. 24:   Overview of HALF THE SKY and “round robin” sharing a memory about what each of us has learned from our study group throughout the years. We will make a few snack bags for ICDI. Contact Betty Laliberte if you want to shop for some supplies. Please bring your extra paper and plastic grocery bags with you to give to the Elmhurst Yorkfield Food Pantry.

TUESDAY, Oct. 22:  MICROFINANCING – Jennifer Jordan

TUESDAY, Nov. 26  PROHIBITION and PROSTITUTION Deb Markello

No December meeting

TUESDAY, Jan. 28: 2025 EDUCATION  Jane Jegerski

TUESDAY, Feb. 25:  GLOBAL FLICKS  – TBA

TUESDAY, Mar. 25:  MATERNAL MORTALITY   Darlene Van Meir and Sarah Caltvedt

FRIDAY, Apr. 11, 4:30-6:00 pm, Kossman Rm.: ICDI snack bag “multigenerational production-line.” Note the change of day and place

TUESDAY, May 27: TBA

We will plan trips to the Wheaton MY HALF THE SKY throughout the year. Watch for details.

Come for each session or come when you can. Please let us know if you wish to read the book, we will try to find a copy for you.

Any questions please contact Betty Laliberte.

 

History

In 2011 Half the Sky was created after an all-branch-read of Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn’s book, Half The Sky, placed a spotlight on serious women’s issues around the world. This inspired members to further investigate women’s issues and to find ways for us to help.

What have we done?

    • We make modest voluntarily donations to organizations that we have studied at monthly meetings.  Since 2011 we have sent $6,780 to 27 organizations making a difference in the lives of women.
    •  One of the first donations was to KIVA, providing microloans for women’s projects.  Our donations totaling $300 have been loaned out and repaid twenty times. That money has assisted multiple women’s initiatives.
    • We have funded four fistula operations that enabled women who were injured in childbirth to reclaim their lives.
    • We have also sent funds to support a variety of projects that benefit women around the world.
    • We have contributed bras to the FREE THE GIRLS organization for the past two years.  Last year more than a dozen members spent an afternoon making cloth sanitary pads for DAYS FOR GIRLS  addressing the challenge of young women who are absent from school one week a month because of their period.

What are we doing now?

WANT TO HELP?                  JOIN US!

We welcome you to join us in any way you feel comfortable. Participating in meetings (Fourth Tuesday evening of each month,) contribute financial support, send us your ideas. We can assist women!

To learn more or join our email list, email Betty Laliberte.

Guests are always welcome.