AWOD Name Changed to AWOE

Since July of 2006, nominations have been coming to us and we have began the reviewing process! It has become apparent that an underlying theme about the stories of these remarkable women is that they are change agents empowering their communities and countries. For this reason, the African Women of Distinction (AWOD) project is changing its name to African Women of Empowerment (AWOE) Project. The mission has stayed the same, as have the web site, blogs and email address; we have only replaced “Distinction” with “Empowerment”.

By changing the name we felt that we were including ALL women in the project, even those that won’t be featured in the final project. I know it will be difficult for our Selection Committee to narrow down to just 20 women!

Thank you for your continued support and we will have more updates very soon, including the names and stories of the 20 women!!

--
DJ Bradley
Seattle, WA USA
AWOE Intern

About AWOD

The African Women of Distinction Project profiles the lives of twenty women in Africa who embody the essence of leadership, determination, and innovation in addressing social, economic and political issues at local, national, and international levels. This is the first of several editions of this project.

Neema Mgana, social entrepreneur and founder of ARYI , along with Amanda Koster, documentary photographer and filmmaker, sent a callout for nominations of African Women though hundreds of international list serves, inviting community members to nominate women for the project. Mgana and Koster have also recruited volunteers throughout Africa and the world (presently numbering over 100) who will mobilize the projects energy and message in their own communities.

The African Women of Distinction Project will collect the nominations of these incredible women; select 20 and then photograph, film, and record interviews. Ultimately the project will consist of a book, documentary video and radio/pod casts telling the stories through multiple mediums of these amazing women. The media content will be available for as a variety of tools; exhibition, newspapers, screenings, tv/radio broadcast series, school curriculum, etc., tools that will inspire young people to make smart choices and realize their dreams.

Now more than ever it is vital to share the amazing stories of African Women.

This project will illustrate the realities of ‘real’ women, and thus dispelling popular stereotypes of women in Africa while also serving as examples of leadership to bring hope to girls and young women in Africa and people around the world.

Stay tuned for updated posts from partners around the world who are collaborating on this project!

Welcome to the AWOD Blog!

This is a place where everyone involved with the AWOD project, no matter where you are
in the world, can share your stories, thoughts, ideas,questions, or concerns with
everyone else working together on this project. Since this project has people involved
not only all across Africa, but also in other parts of the world, we need to stay
connected to each other, and this is the best place to do so. In fact, we all just
need to stay connected period.  Here is a good way to start. We can¹t wait to hear
from each one of you!

Amanda Koster and DJ Bradley
AWOD Team in Seattle, Washington USA