National Effort Launched to Name Malala Yousafzai TIME’s Person of the Year
A network of U.S. women state legislators and a national nonprofit issue an official letter of endorsement to TIME’s editors and gain public support.
Washington, DC, December 09, 2012 --(PR.com)-- A national effort began Wednesday to have fifteen-year-old Pakistani heroine Malala Yousafzai named TIME Magazine’s 2012 Person of the Year by a network of more than 600 U.S. women state legislators, the Women Legislators’ Lobby (WiLL), and national nonprofit Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND). The effort began with delivery of a letter to TIME editors with an official endorsement from WAND and WiLL, and expanded to Facebook, Twitter and email.
The letter states, “Fifteen-year-old Malala Yousafzai embodies this call for the full empowerment of women and girls as leaders and agents of change in this modern era. Despite suffering a vicious attack by Taliban gunman who boarded her school bus and shot her in the head, Malala has issued a global call to protect the human rights of women and girls everywhere. Malala’s blog 'Diary of a Pakistani Girl,' is an ongoing and fearless appeal to protect girls’ right to education.” The letter draws attention to Malala’s blog and points out that she was awarded the first National Peace Award by the Pakistani government last year.
The letter and effort are a part of WAND’s new Women, Peace, and Security Program, designed to strengthen and promote the role of women and girls in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peace-building. The program sprung from the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security issued by executive order of the President in 2011, which supports and endorses this expanded role of women in peace-making roles around the world.
“As women leaders, we share a strong belief that our full participation is invaluable to shape policies that make the world a safer place for future generations,” noted WiLL President and Georgia State Sen. Nan Orrock in the endorsement letter. “We are committed to continuing this dialogue and standing side-by-side in affirming the vital role of women’s leadership, both here and abroad.”
TIME Magazine explains that the Person of the Year is someone who “most influenced the news this year for better or worse.” Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 12, and the winner will be announced on Dec. 14. More information on this campaign and how to cast your vote can be found at www.wandactioncenter.org.
About Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND)
WAND is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women to act politically to reduce violence and militarism, and redirect excessive military resources toward unmet human and environmental needs. WAND was founded in 1982, and consists of a 501-C3 WAND Education Fund, a 501-C4 WAND Inc. Action Center for members and chapters, WAND Political Action Committee, and the Women Legislator's Lobby (WiLL) program. WAND is a recognized United Nations NGO. For more information, please visit www.wand.org.
About the Women Legislators’ Lobby (WiLL)
WiLL is a national, non-partisan network of women state legislators who work together to influence federal policy and budget priorities. In 2003, we founded Trailblazers, a network of former legislators whose contacts and influence continue to have an impact on national priorities and foreign policy issues. For more information, please visit www.willwand.org.
The letter states, “Fifteen-year-old Malala Yousafzai embodies this call for the full empowerment of women and girls as leaders and agents of change in this modern era. Despite suffering a vicious attack by Taliban gunman who boarded her school bus and shot her in the head, Malala has issued a global call to protect the human rights of women and girls everywhere. Malala’s blog 'Diary of a Pakistani Girl,' is an ongoing and fearless appeal to protect girls’ right to education.” The letter draws attention to Malala’s blog and points out that she was awarded the first National Peace Award by the Pakistani government last year.
The letter and effort are a part of WAND’s new Women, Peace, and Security Program, designed to strengthen and promote the role of women and girls in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peace-building. The program sprung from the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security issued by executive order of the President in 2011, which supports and endorses this expanded role of women in peace-making roles around the world.
“As women leaders, we share a strong belief that our full participation is invaluable to shape policies that make the world a safer place for future generations,” noted WiLL President and Georgia State Sen. Nan Orrock in the endorsement letter. “We are committed to continuing this dialogue and standing side-by-side in affirming the vital role of women’s leadership, both here and abroad.”
TIME Magazine explains that the Person of the Year is someone who “most influenced the news this year for better or worse.” Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 12, and the winner will be announced on Dec. 14. More information on this campaign and how to cast your vote can be found at www.wandactioncenter.org.
About Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND)
WAND is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women to act politically to reduce violence and militarism, and redirect excessive military resources toward unmet human and environmental needs. WAND was founded in 1982, and consists of a 501-C3 WAND Education Fund, a 501-C4 WAND Inc. Action Center for members and chapters, WAND Political Action Committee, and the Women Legislator's Lobby (WiLL) program. WAND is a recognized United Nations NGO. For more information, please visit www.wand.org.
About the Women Legislators’ Lobby (WiLL)
WiLL is a national, non-partisan network of women state legislators who work together to influence federal policy and budget priorities. In 2003, we founded Trailblazers, a network of former legislators whose contacts and influence continue to have an impact on national priorities and foreign policy issues. For more information, please visit www.willwand.org.
Contact
Women's Action for New Directions (WAND)
Rachel Wisch
(202) 599-0746
www.wand.org
Rachel Wisch
(202) 599-0746
www.wand.org
Contact
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