Successful Launch of ADC Michigan's Women's Initiative is Met With Enthusiasm

Amidst an exclusive audience of women, invited to a luncheon at the Dearborn Inn on March 31, 2005, ADC Michigan proudly unveiled AWARE (Arab American Women Advocating for Resources and Empowerment) to the community. This “100 Women” Founding Reception for AWARE, boasted approximately 150 women attendees, because of the unexpected interest in the event.

The time was most fitting, as the event was scheduled in March to honor Women‘s History Month and was perfectly orchestrated to coincide with ADC‘s 25th Anniversary. Guests in attendance were greeted by young girls from the ADC Kids Club handing out white roses, tied with blue and green ribbons; AWARE‘s signature colors. At each table setting was a traditional handmade bag, acquired by AWARE from the General Federation of Jordanian Women and the Palestine Children‘s Welfare Fund, as an expression of support for their efforts to empower women in Jordan and Palestine, by teaching them how to market their embroidery skills.

The event, which proudly hosted the Dean of the White House Press Corps, Ms. Helen Thomas, generated a greater than expected enthusiasm from guests, who were anxious to become more involved in the initiative.

Attorney Ashley Mammo, an ADC Advisory Board Member and Founding Member of AWARE, opened the program by introducing AWARE to the guests. The AWARE initiative commenced in April 2004 when ADC Michigan began exploring ways to address issues and challenges that are particular to Arab American women and women in the Arab World. ADC tackled this initiative with the pretext that it is vital for female leaders in the Arab World and the United States to work to ensure that women are afforded the right to a solid education, the chance at pursuing a successful career and the opportunity to develop into great leaders. Through the connectivity of Arab women in the States and women in the Arab World and facilitated dialogue between one another, ADC hopes to strengthen relationships and build bridges of understanding between the East and the West.

Afterwards, ADC Michigan Deputy Director Rana Abbas, discussed the reason behind why ADC, as a civil rights organization has adopted such an initiative. "Since its inception, ADC has been a leader in building bridges of understanding and serving as a network of support to the community that it serves," stated Abbas. In quoting the broad vision of justice that ADC‘s Late President, Dr. Hala Salaam Maksoud possessed, Abbas stated, "In honoring the unsung woman, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee is reaffirming the essence of its purpose: the eradication of discrimination in all forms. The concern of ADC with women is part and parcel of one commitment, the dignity and equality of men and women everywhere. Ours is a struggle to reassert the basic values of human integration, pluralism and equality."