Lisa Shannon on The Congo at The Commonwealth Club

Thursday, August 12: "A Thousand Sisters"

A Thousand Sisters

Speaker: Lisa Shannon, author, journalist, founder of Run for Congo Women
in conversation with Gina Baleria, director of the consulting firm Baleria Creative and known to many of you as the Associate Program Director and Literary Director of the Commonwealth Club from 2005-2009

How can a single moment change you from cautious observer to fearless organizer -- change your life and the lives of others? With grace and integrity, Lisa Shannon shares her transformation from lapsed idealist to leader of the first national grassroots effort for Congolese women. Anchored by human bonds that terror cannot touch, Shannon explores the world's deadliest war through the harrowing but hopeful stories of the women she has helped and the relationships she has formed. She will show video clips during her presentation.

Her project Run for Congo Women has sponsored more than a thousand war-affected Congolese women through Women for Women International, for which she serves as an ambassador. These women are raising more than 5,000 children. She traveled solo into Eastern Congo’s South Kivu province for five and a half weeks in January- February 2007 and again in May 2008. Prior to Lisa’s travels through Congo, she was named a “2006 Hero of Running” by Runner’s World Magazine She previously owned a photography production company, serving as its art director and producer. She lives in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. Learn more: http://athousandsisters.com/

Program Coordinators: Linda Calhoun and Gina Baleria
Presented in association with the Northern California Peace Corps Association. We invite you to find out more about their activities at their website http://www.norcalpca.org/

Wine and networking reception 5:30 p.m., program 6 p.m.
$8 for members, $20 for non-members, $7 for students with current school ID. Note: Northern California Peace Corps Association members must telephone to obtain the member discount.

Location: Commonwealth Club headquarters, 595 Market Street - Mezzanine, San Francisco (at Montgomery St. BART/Muni station), cross street Second Street

Reservations are not required but recommended - phone (415) 597-6705 or (800) 847-7730. Tickets can also be purchased via website https://tickets.commonwealthclub.org/open.asp?show=1806 Hope to see you there. Please let me know if you prefer not to receive these e-mail program announcements.

This event is part of The Commonwealth Club's "The Ascent of Woman" series taking place throughout August. Check out the other programs: https://tickets.commonwealthclub.org/open.asp?cat=67