This event will take place from 7pm – 9pm at Temple Beth Israel, 2550 Portland St. in Eugene, OR on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008.

Gianturco’s book, a collection of poignant photos and stories, chronicles the lives of women who enlighten the world around them through their activism.  The book covers 129 women in fifteen countries on five continents.

“Across the world, local women are tackling the problems that darken their lives,” writes Gianturco, “— domestic violence, sex trafficking, war, poverty, illiteracy, discrimination, inequality, malnutrition, disease. The women have few material resources, but they are rich in imagination.”

In the book, Gianturco devotes a full chapter to Mobility International USA’s (MIUSA) 2006 Women’s Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD). Last year’s program brought together 30 women leaders from around the world to exchange ideas and create new visions for inclusion of women with disabilities in international development.

The chapter, called “Enabling Leaders”, includes 19 pages of color photographs and interviews describing their lives and accomplishments.  Sharing their stories is an outstanding success for those who are working to infuse the perspectives of women with disabilities into international women’s movements and development agendas.

“It is important that books and resources continue to highlight the achievements of women in international development, including women with disabilities who are building organizations to solve the problems that affect them,” says Susan Sygall, CEO of Mobility International USA.

Purchasing this book assists women all over the world as Gianturco is donating 100% of the royalties to the Global Fund for Women. The Global Fund has been a tremendous supporter of women with disabilities, granting over $1.5 million to grassroots organizations led by women with disabilities worldwide. For more information about the book visit the website at www.womenwholightthedark.com.

This event will be ASL interpreted and wheelchair accessible.