East Florida

Greetings!

The East Florida Chapter (EFC) of the U.S. National Committee for UN Women was incorporated on April 13, 2008 and inducted in Atlanta, Georgia on June 21, 2008.  The Chapter mission is to raise awareness about UN Women's work around the world and to provide financial support for its innovative programs and initiatives in developing countries, aimed at achieving women's empowerment and gender equality.

To this end, EFC:

• has partnered and/or collaborated with institutions of higher education such as Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach State College as well as the School District of Palm Beach County. 
• has provided internships to high school, community college and university students.
• has joined forces with religious and business communities led by women as well as with non-profit organizations that share its goals including violence prevention and empowerment of women through education.
• has crossed the line of ethnicity and culture by collaborating with a variety of ethnic groups and arts organizations in Palm Beach and Broward Counties.
• has produced a quarterly newsletter, the East Florida Gazette and has employed Facebook to keep in touch with its members.
   

Events:

Annually, EFC invites its South Florida Communities to participate in its Annual Walk:  Step Out To Prevent Violence against Women and Girls. 

The East Florida Chapter has raised awareness about peaceful resolution to humanitarian crisis through films screened in collaboration with faith communities, professional organizations and academic institutions.  The first film shown was Pray the Devil Back to Hell with five presentations in Palm Beach and Broward Counties.   

The East Florida Chapter seeks to increase its sustainability as well as raise support for UNIFEM priorities by increasing and maintaining its membership.  Recruitment has been possible through social events such as the annual High Tea, Mother–Daughter Brunch, and empowerment and leadership presentations. 

EFC raises awareness and advocates for issues with international repercussions such as the ratification of CEDAW (The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) and the abolition of the Bride Child Practice.

To better serve its members, EFC has expanded its chapter operations to Miami-Dade County. Both EFC Palm Beach and EFC Miami-Dade will share resources; however, activities will be tailored to the needs of the communities.


Become a member now or contact the East Florida Chapter for more information.

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2011 Events

Human Trafficking: Slavery to Salvation through Grace


Guest Speaker
Julia Luyster, Esq
UN Women EFC Member-at-Large

Presented by St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary's
Oasis Global Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Advisor

Thursday, November 10, 2011
7-8pm

Thank you to all who attended and supported this important event.

Fourth Annual ''Step Out to Stop Violence against Women and Girls'' Walk

 

 

Bank Atlantic Business Networking Mixer

"Let's Dance to a Bright Future" Fundraiser

In support of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, respected Board Member, Ana Oliveira hosted her annual celebration on behalf of the East Florida Chapter for UNIFEM-USNC. Held in beautiful Miami, Florida on Saturday December 11th, 2010, our fundraiser attracted many international attendees who ate, talked and danced to a bright future for all women and girls.

Raffle prizes included a personally autographed Jersey and ball by Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees, a beautiful Monte Blanc writing pen, a $500 Certificate for Veterinarian services, 1900 Dom Perignon Champagne and a stunning piece of art by Maximo Caminero.

The East Florida Chapter Board of Directors would like to thank each and every attendee that donated and a special thanks to Ana Oliveira who made this night possible and who wholeheartedly believes in the unwavering mission of UNIFEM: to work toward a world where women and girls live free from violence, poverty and inequality. 

Screening of "Taking Root"

Hosted by Leslie Vajda, owner of Salon Révive in Boca Raton, and Board Member Márta Vajda, on November 20^th we held the screening of “Taking Root”, a dramatic film documentary that tells the inspiring story of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Wangari Maathai, whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights, and defend democracy.

“Taking Root” was screened before a selected group of international clients and followed by an exciting discussion regarding the inner power of women to effect change. Kits of seeds and bamboo shoots were offered to each participant to experience the real-life environmental message of the film.

                                         www.takingrootfilm.com

 

Third Annual “Step Out to Stop Violence Against Women and Girls” Walk 

Held at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach, on Saturday, October 23rd, the East Florida Chapter held its annual walk to raise awareness in ending violence against women and girls worldwide. The Board of Directors sends heart-felt thanks to all loyal members and participants, especially its partner for this years walk, the Zonta Club of the Greater Palm Beaches, for their continued support toward creating a world where women and girls live free from violence, poverty and inequality. 

Palm Beach County Kick-off Event

In an effort to launch membership meetings, facilitate networking and generate discussion regarding women's issues, Palm Beach County held its first kick-off event on September 25, 2010 in West Palm Beach.
Hosted and led by Chapter President, Luz VanMeek, our gathering was a success in supporting dialogue towards women's empowerment and gender equality, while focusing on the planning of upcoming events.

 

Bank Atlantic Business Networking for Charity

Acknowledging the role of women in the business world, Carolyn Pikuza, a UNIFEM member and Manager of Bank Atlantic branches- the Royal Palm Beaches and Andros Isle, hosted a successful event in Lake Worth on August 2nd, to raise awareness about the work of UNIFEM world-wide and fundraise for the chapter.

The theme of the event was the steps UNIFEM is taking to decrease poverty among women and the role of women’s participation in the world economy. It was well attended by Bank officials, employees and clients.

 

Labyrinth Meditation for Women's Empowerment and World Peace

Held at the Duncan Conference Center in Delray Beach, Florida on Saturday July 10, 2010 this was our premier Labyrinth Meditation Event. An event that was motivating, uplifting and spiritual in nature, we walked the labyrinth and collectively meditated for women's empowerment and gender equality worlwide.

Our gifted speaker was Julia Luyster, a graduate of Baylor University in Texas, a member of the Florida and Washington D.C. Bar and a frequent lecturer and author on areas as diverse as appellate practice, child custody, construction litigation and insurance coverage. She is a Child Ambassador with World Vision and is actively involved in serving the needs of women and children in poverty.

 

Second Anniversary Celebration

President Luz Van Meek reported on the progress made in the past year in raising awareness of UNIFEM's work and raising money for global projects.

The Annual General Meeting to celebrate the Chapter’s Second Anniversary was held on April 3rd at the Duncan Conference Center in Delray Beach. Alyx Kellington, a photojournalist commissioned by UNIFEM to follow-up the state of women in different countries, was the key-note speaker. 

 

 

2009 Events

 

Second Annual Walk
Step Out to End Violence Against Women & Girls

 Okeeheelee Park
West Palm Beach, Fl
 October 24, 2009

 

 
                               

 

Let's Celebrate! 

On Friday September 25, 2009 the East Florida Chapter of the U.S. National Committee for UNIFEM celebrated its kickoff for the 2009-2010 year at Bohemian Gardens Seafood & Steakhouse in Greenacres, Florida. 

Pray the Devil Back to Hell

www.praythedevilbacktohell.com

 

With screenings around Palm Beach and Broward Counties, the award winning documentary, Pray the Devil Back to Hell, attracted a large audience from all walks of life. Highlights of the show included University students from Barry, Florida Atlantic, and Nova, who attended the 2009 Diversity  Summit and had the opportunity to examine issues regarding women worldwide.  

The event generated a platform for action at the local level including advocacy to prevent violence perpetrated against women and girls. Maria Santamarina, Laura Finley, and Luz Van Meek place the documentary within the context of UNIFEM’s work worldwide.  

In collaboration with Palm Beach Community College and Toward a More Perfect Union, The US National Committee for UNIFEM, East Florida Chapter showcased the film in front of nearly 90 attendees. Dr. Denis Gallon, President of PBCC, opened the event.

The movie was followed by a panel discussion organized by Mark Alexander, Director of the Duncan Theater and facilitated by Leslie Gray Streeter, writer from the Palm Beach Post. Panelists were Marlene Figueroa Ross from WXEL and Jane Tierney from Toward a More Perfect Union. The audience, including a delegation from the Liberian Community in Palm Beach County contributed to the discussion.

 

 

 

Luz Van Meek
President

Márta Vajda
Secretary

Lalita Jenke
Strategic Planning

Ana Oliveira
Treasurer

Adriana Vega
Marketing

Beverly Berguesse
Membership

Bettye Lawson
Education

Members-at-Large

Eileen Tanne
Reginale Durandisse
Laura Finley
Julia Luyster
Mihu Bisaria