The following article appeared in our local paper.

Event Opens Women's Eyes -- and Minds
by Amrita Dhindsa, Staff Writer

Norwalk -- Those who attended International Women's Day in Norwalk on Saturday said the celebrations helped them make connections with other women in Fairfield County and around the world, as well as raise their consciousness to issues women face in different countries.

A series of events, including group discussions, talks, drumming, dances and a crafts sale were organized at the First Congregational Church in East Norwalk Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm by Women's Perspective on Money and spirituality, a nonprofit organization that provides educational services for women seeking to understanding their finances and spirituality.

The celebrations brought together such diverse groups as Maya Works and Spring Ministries, which work with women in Guatemala and Kenya to educate and inform women in Fairfield County about the economic and medical deprivation women face in their countries.

The goal of International Women's Day was to allow women to make connections with one another, raise money for women who are less privileged or who have HIV/AIDS and for women to discover their own talents so they could empower themselves and help others.

This is the first time that International Women's Day has been held in Fairfield County. Organizers from Women's Perspective hope to make it a permanent event.

Visitors could purchase traditional crafts made by artisans from Guatemala. From the sale of the items, nearly 65cents of every dollar is returned to the artisans and 10 cents is contributed towards technical assistance, scholarships and small loans, according to Pat Krause, a coordinator with Maya Works.

"Giving women the opportunity to earn income from their skills gives them self-confidence and hope for themselves, children, family and village," Krause said.

Toni Burmeister, a teacher from Westport, said the opportunity to be able to contribute to a cause also made her a savvy consumer when it comes to buying products from another country. "I am more aware of what I'm buying now and who I am buying it from" said Burmeister. "When I'm buying coffee, I'm making a more literate choice."

Margaret Auma, director of Kenya-based Spring Ministries, was also in Norwalk to raise people's awareness about the stigma, discrimination and economic deprivation that women and orphans face who have lost their husbands and parents to HIV/AIDS in Africa. Auma attended the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women earlier this month to drum up support for rehabilitating victims of HIV/AIDS. "I was invited by Women's Perspective to share the story," said Auma. "It's a women's issue."

For Linda Melick, a law librarian from Newtown, celebrating International Women's Day gave her a new perspective and pulled her away from the mundane routine of everyday life. "I enjoyed talking to people and interacting with people you don't see every day," said Melick. "I am becoming more aware of the problems in the world that you can't ignore."