The document summarizes an International Women's Day celebration event at UC San Diego on March 6th that aims to raise funds for microfinance loans to impoverished women. The event will feature guest speakers, including the UC San Diego chancellor, and celebrate the economic and social achievements of women who have received small loans. Attendees will learn about microfinance benefits and meet women from countries like Honduras, Mexico and Ghana who have started businesses with microloans. Funds raised will go toward helping more women become self-sufficient by starting businesses.

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UC
San
Diego
News
University
Communications
and
Public
Affairs
Feb. 17, 2011
MEDIA CONTACT: Christine Clark, 858-534-7618, ceclark@ucsd.edu
International Women’s Day Celebration at UC San Diego Helps Impoverished Women
Build a Better Future
The University of California, San Diego is inviting the community to celebrate 100 years
of women’s economic, political and social achievements for International Women’s Day from 2
to 4 p.m., March 6 at the Great Hall. The university is partnering with local community service
organizations for a celebration, free and open to the public, that will benefit impoverished
women from around the world who live in San Diego.
International Women’s Day was first celebrated 100 years ago and today countries such
as China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria recognize International Women's Day as a national
holiday.
Guest speakers at the March 6th event include UC San Diego Chancellor Marye Anne
Fox and Winifred Cox, co-founder and co-president of Women Empowerment International, one
of the sponsoring organizations. The event will raise funds for microfinance loans ––small loans
that extend credit to females, improving their economic and social lives.
“San Diego is home to a diversity of refugees from many nations,” said Leigh Fenly, Co-
president of Women Empowerment International. “Before being legally resettled here, many
witnessed civil war, faced persecution and were forced to leave family members behind. They
are eager to rebuild their lives and not afraid to work hard. Many need only a small hand up and
events like this help them become more self-sufficient and build a better future for themselves
and their children.”
A partnership between UC San Diego and community nonprofits, the celebration will
feature local women, many of whom have received small microfinance loans and other support
to help them start businesses. (and the sponsoring organizations that support them.) Sponsoring
organizations of the event include Women’s Empowerment International, UC San Diego’s
Women’s Center, the UC San Diego International House, EPTEAM (Eliminate Poverty
Through Education and Microfinance) at UC San Diego and the Women’s Equity Council of
9500
Gilman
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CA
92093-­‐0938
TEL:
(858)
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FAX:
(858)
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ucsdnews.ucsd.edu

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the United Nations Association of San Diego.
“The work of volunteers at UC San Diego and in the community is making a tremendous
difference in these women’s lives,” Fenly continued. “The International Women’s Day event will
celebrate their achievements.”
Attendees will be able to learn about the benefits of microfinance at the event and will
have the opportunity to meet microfinance loan recipients from many countries (such as
Honduras, Mexico, Ghana and San Diego), and learn how to cook some of their delicious
recipes. (Participants will learn how to make Somali-style food and Ethiopian and dishes.) Also
part of the celebration is a dessert buffet. (with an assortment of chocolate).
Clients of the WE STAR Center, a business incubator for refugee women in City Heights,
will sell imported jewelry, fashion and decorative home ornaments. Additional items range from
fresh flowers to organic baby clothes. The sale proceeds go directly to each vendor.
This International Women’s Day Celebration was the result of a decision made by 100
women from 17 countries at the International Conference of Working Women in 1910. Since
then, this event has grown in importance and impact.
For more information about the International Women’s Day Celebration in San Diego, go
to: http://womenempowerment.org/ and http://ucsdepteam.webs.com/
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