IN THIS ISSUE:

Grantee Profile: Three Sisters' Trekking Agency

Donor Profile: Pam Rosekrans

Enlightening Books to Read This Fall!!!

Vote for the Global Fund!

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The Global Fund for Women has been awarded the highest 4-star rating for the fifth consecutive year.

Dear Friends,

Fall greetings from the Global Fund for Women! This month took me to New York, the first stop in a 16-city US-wide book tour for a wonderful new book, Women Who Light The Dark, by photojournalist Paola Gianturco. This publication highlights the achievements and struggles of 18 of the many hundreds of Global Fund for Women grantee partners. The personal stories of their struggles for justice and equality in countries as diverse as Cameroon and Cambodia come alive in the vivid photos and the compelling language of the book.

In New York, corporate supporter EILEEN FISHER sponsored a wonderful event attended by 75 Global Fund supporters – some long-standing and others new. New York Board members Dina Dublon and Charlotte Bunch joined us for an inspiring evening where Paola Gianturco presented stories and images from the book. We sold out of the books before the evening ended! Last week, the success was repeated in Boston, where Betty Makoni of the Zimbabwean Girl Child Network, a featured activist in the book, joined Paola. The event drew over 60 people, including the current Governor of Massachussets, Deval Patrick. I hope you will consider lighting your own spark by choosing to share this inspiring book as a birthday or holiday gift. You will help us raise visibility and critical financial resources for thousands of women leaders worldwide. Please visit Paola's web site to learn more.

The need for those resources becomes even greater in times of crisis. Even as we celebrated women's accomplishments here, many of our grantee partners across Central and South America faced new challenges created by natural disasters. The earthquake in Peru left thousands homeless, and in Nicaragua Hurricane Felix destroyed the livelihoods of indigenous communities. Recently, the earthquake in Indonesia reminded us that for the poor in the developing world, of whom women and children are the majority, basic survival is often at stake. Women know they can continue to count on our support before, during and long after either man made or natural disasters affect them and their families. In turn, it gives us great strength to know we can count on our extraordinary community of donors and supporters to stand with us as we make long term investments in the women’s movements that are transforming our world.

It's one world. It's our world. Our choices matter.

Kavita N. Ramdas
President and CEO

Pam Rosekrans California, USA Long-time donor Pam Rosekrans founded In Her Shoes with the Global Fund for Women in mind. Pam made contributing to the Global Fund a full time vocation by starting In Her Shoes,a shoe store in Palo Alto. All the profits above the operating costs go to the Global Fund! Rosekrans takes no salary herself—every extra dollar is donated! Thanks to Pam, many women have walked out the door not only with new shoes—but with a new determination to give to the Global Fund themselves. Watch this interview of Pam Rosekrans and read more about her work. Three Sisters Trekking Agency Pokhara, Nepal This Global Fund grantee is the only group of its kind connecting female trekkers with female guides, since its inception in 1994. A trailblazing group, the Three Sisters Trekking Agency is believes that by improving education, employment, and decision-making opportunities for women, it can strengthen the independence and self-sufficiency of Nepalese women. Check out this short video-clip from a film made by Lisa Hoffe that highlights these dynamic women who have climbed their way to success! Learn more about the Three Sisters Trekking Agency!

ENLIGHTENING BOOKS TO READ THIS FALL!

The Global Fund for Women together with acclaimed photojournalist Paola Gianturco bring you Women Who Light the Dark, a book that features the work of many impressive women's groups from 15 countries, working to improve their communities. In this book, Paola Gianturco documents, through her moving narratives and beautiful photos, the work of some inspirational women, including 18 Global Fund grantee groups.

Paola is donating 100 percent of the royalties from the book to the Global Fund for Women. Buy this book as a gift for friends and family for an enriching experience that will also help women all over the world! San Francisco Bay Area residents can attend events in October. Visit our website to find out about the ongoing book tour or order your copy of Paola's book online. You can also sign up online to participate in a raffle where the Global Fund will give away a free copy of the book to the lucky winner! And you can also download wallpapers/screensavers of photos from the book!

Trade Up! 5 Steps for Redesigning your Leadership and Life from the Inside Out!
Check out this new book by Rayona Sharpnack filled with valuable exercises geared to helping leaders overcome their limitations. Trade Up! also features a dynamic perspective on feminist leadership by Kavita Ramdas, based upon her more than decade-long tenure as CEO and President of the Global Fund.

Vote For the Global Fund!

Are you a Working Assets customer? If you haven't voted already, then you can still help decide how Working Assets should distribute their annual donations. In 2005 your votes helped us secure an additional $70,000 for the global women's movement. Vote for the Global Fund by December 31st.