More Related Content
What's hot (17)
Viewers also liked (20)
Similar to OVERTON_ZAIRE_AWIU_2015_SUMMATION - March (20)
OVERTON_ZAIRE_AWIU_2015_SUMMATION - March
- 1. AMERICAN WOMEN FOR INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING YO U T H C O N S O R T I U M & L E A D E R S H I P R O U N D TA B L E : C A R E E R O P P O R T U N I T I E S F O R I N T E R N AT I O N A L R E L AT I O N S T H E N A T I O N A L P R E S S C L U B W A S H I N G T O N , D . C . M A R C H 4 , 2 0 1 5 ST U D E N T NA M E Zaire Overton, Co-Founder/Youth Coordinator
- 2. Through my work with the American Women for International Understanding (AWIU), I quickly learned of their desire to expand their youth outreach programs. As an International Relations major I had spent relentless hours researching internship, scholarship and career options only to find that most involved politics on Capitol Hill and access was crucial! The idea to create a workshop that would not only explore the global cross-section of careers for IR majors, but to also connect them to experts in these fields, and to offer it in conjunction with the AWIUs annual presentation of the International Women of Courage (IWOC) Awards in Washington D.C. seemed far-reaching and a bit overwhelming. To my surprise, it was accepted we had six weeks to research, budget, prepare, book and mount a five-hour workshop the week before mid-terms! With the AWIU Youth Outreach Coordinator as chair of our 3-man committee, the inaugural Youth Consortium and Leadership Round Table; Career Opportunities for International Relations was successfully launched on March 4, 2015 at Washington D.Cs prestigious National Press Club. Our eleven panelists represented: The FBI, Homeland Security, The State Department, Foreign Services, global health, World Bank, Peace Corps, United Nations, Cyber Security and IR professors. This was a tremendous victory for our scholars and young professionals; an opportunity to dialogue one-on-one with experts in their future fields, many of whom have since offered to join our advisory board. Founded in 1968, AWIU is a non-profit NGO whose mission is to build bridges of understanding, good-will, and cooperation among women leaders throughout the world. For seven years, AWIU has partnered with the U.S. Department of State and First Lady Michelle Obama to honor their International Women of Courage (IWOC) awardees for exceptional leadership and courage in advocating human rights, often against tremendous odds. The evening gala followed our workshop, with the State Departments presentations scheduled for the next day. I was elated to hear that because of our success, I had been invited to attend the limited seating program only to wake up that morning to a freak snow storm that shut down Washington, cancelling the event! However; this experience was enriching beyond belief. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the enormity of a concept, an initial idea especially when it is your own. But it only requires faith in yourself and fortitude to see it through. Still amazed and proud that at only nineteen I have created a potential legacy event working alongside the Department of State, I am AWIU 2015 Youth Consortium & Leadership Round Table: Career Opportunities for International Relations
- 3. empowered by witnessing our country acknowledge and honor the global struggle of women. And I remain hopeful that next year Michelle Obamas encouragement will land on my ears. I have no doubt stretched my imagination, challenged my leadership capabilities, broadened my awareness and accepted the responsibility to make a difference in my community. Combining this with my upcoming study abroad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this summer will no doubt better prepare me for the world of IR. As I departed Washington, driving down Embassy Row, my heart actually skipped a beat! With my mother, Jayne Kennedy Overton, who was the third part of the co-founder committee and served as panel moderator, and my sister Savannah who assisted. AWIU 2015 Youth Consortium & Leadership Round Table: Career Opportunities for International Relations A few of our speakers with the 3 co-founders; me, Diane and my mom. . At the Capitol Building . A few of the panelist with some of our scholars and the event Co-Chairs First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House with the 2015 IWOC Award Winners Me at the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
- 4. Jacob Bueno de Mesquita: Global Health and Pandemic Disease Dr. Abdul Karim Bangura: Professor of Research Methodology and Public Policy Dr. Michael Frasier: Associate Professor of International Security & Public Administration Carolyn Jordan: Retired, Counsel USS Senate Banking Housing & Urban Affairs Christine Halvorsen: FBI Section Chief, Operational Support Kimberly Harper: Founder and Owner: CyberwoodMedia.com Internet Security Shawn Dorman: Editor in Chief, The Foreign Services Journal Ian Houston: Executive Director, American Foreign Services Ramona Harper: US Dept. of State, Recruiting Office, Human Resources Maria Longi: Dept. of State, Director, Office of Management Policy & Resources Not pictured above: Deanna Wallace: Homeland Security, Investigation Victim Assistance Specialist Afghanistan: Captain Niloofar Rahmani, Afghan Air Force Bangladesh: Nadia Sharmeen, Journalist Bolivia: Rosa Julieta Montano Salvatierra, Founder /Director, Oficina Juridica para la Mujer Burma: May Sabe Phyu Director, Gender Equality Network Central African Republic: Beatrice Epaye. President, Fondation Voix du Coeur Guinea: Marie Claire Tchecola. Emergency Room Nurse, Donka Hospital Japan: Sayaka Osakabe Founder/Representative, Matahara Net Kosovo: Arbana Xharra Editor-in-Chief, Zeri Pakistan: Tabassum Adnan, Kwendo Jirga (Sisters Council), Swat, Pakistan Syria: Majd Chourbaji External Relations Director, Women Now for Development Centers Congratulations 2015 International Women of Courage Award Recipients Thank You 2015 Round Table Panel of Speakers Committee: Diane Mitchell Henry: Co-Founder, Chair, Coordinator Jayne Kennedy Overton: Co-Founder, Coordinator Zaire Ollyea Overton: Co-Founder, Youth Coordinator Diane McGlinchey Stelle Feuers Selena Norwood Betty Houbian Barbara Rubio Hillary Andoh Ellen Linsey Storme Sweet Lisa Cain
- 5. WELCOME Youth Consortium & Leadership Round Table: Career Opportunities for International Relations Dear International Relations Students and Young Professionals, Founded in 1968, American Women for International Understanding (AWIU) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization whose mission is to build bridges of understanding, good-will, and cooperation among women leaders throughout the world. For the past six years, AWIU has been privileged and pleased to partner with the U.S. Department of State to honor their International Women of Courage (IWOC) awardees selected for exceptional leadership and courage in advocating womens rights in their respective countries. AWIU is hosting the 8thAnnual International Women of Courage Celebration evening gala on March 4th at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. in recognition of these exemplary women. This year, AWIU is proud to welcome you to its inaugural Youth Consortium and Leadership Round Table: Career Opportunities for International Relations in conjunction with the IWOC Celebration. The Round Table is an invitational event open to college students and young professionals from across the United States interested in international affairs. This co-ed pilot program allows attendees the opportunity to dialogue about career opportunities outside the area of politics on Capitol Hill, but well within the realm of international relations, the world agenda, and social ramifications of strengthening international relations. The panel for the Round Table includes a diverse set of international relations professionals from governmental, public and private organizations. AWIU warmly welcomes you to these two events. Guests passes for students and young professionals are included in the pack and must be worn at all times to attend the Youth Consortium and Leadership Round Table: Career Opportunities for International Relations and observe the AWIU 8th Annual International Women of Courage Celebration at the National Press Club this evening. More information is available by visiting our websites at: www.awiu.org and www.iwoccelebration.org. We thank you for being a part of our first annual round table. Very warm regards, Diane Mitchell Henry Zaire Ollyea Overton Diane Mitchell Henry, Coordinator Zaire Ollyea Overton, Co-Coordinator International Women of Courage Youth Outreach Youth Consortium Leadership Round Table: Youth Consortium Leadership Round Table: Career Career Opportunities for International Opportunities for International Relations Co-Founder Relations Youth Co-Founder (323) 292-7006 awiulacountychair@yahoo.com Zaire.ollyea@gmail.com AMERICAN WOMEN FOR INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING 2100 South Wolf Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018 (847) 2980442 www.awiu.org The 8th Annual International Women of Courage Celebration Presented by American Women for International Understanding National Press Club, Washington, D.C. March 4, 2015