Run for the Congo

Greetings, ladies!  I hope your summer is full of joy and fun!  Unfortunately, our work is never done...

 For those of you who saw Ruined at the Intiman, you may have noticed that there are a number of ways to engage with the issue of violence toward women in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  It may have touched you, as it did me, in a particular way because of how Eve Ensler wrote about it.  On October 16th, at Green Lake, there will be a "Run for Congo Women" 5K Run/Walk. I'm taking the lead  forming a team of our Sisterhood and friends.  
  
So, what can we do?  I have created a registered team for those who want to take part.

What are the next steps?
 1) Let me know if you want to be on the Run/Walk team.  I'll send the link for registration ($20 per     person individually, $17 per person on a team $10 for students. The registration fee goes to Women for Women.)
 1.5) Invite friends/family to run/walk with you!
 2) Or, stand on the course and cheer!
 3) Help make costumes for the Run/Walkers/yourself to wear!  (Event TBA)
 4) Fundraise!  Anybody who has seen any of the previous Monologues will be prime candidates!  I will also send a link for pledge forms, or you can get them directly from the Intiman site.

If you have questions or concerns, let me know and I'll do my best to find out what I can.  Personally, I'm really excited about this and think its a good way to not only send some cash money (a little goes so far in the Congo) but also to raise awareness.

What's depicted in Ruined is not some age old story.  It's happening right now.

Here are some links for you:
    http://www.intiman.org/2010Season/ruined/runwalk.aspx  This is about the event.
    http://www.womenforwomen.org/global-initiatives-helping-women/help-women-congo.php  This is about the organization the funds will go to.
A recent incident you may have already heard about in the news.
http://www.salon.com/life/broadsheet/2010/08/24/congo_rape/index.html

In Sisterhood,
Machelle