Peace Through Business

"We believe that when you educate a woman, you educate a nation," says Dr. Terry Neese in her video message to the 2010 Peace Through Business In-Country Class. Neese, a former president of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners), is now founder and president of The Institute of Economic Empowerment for Women (IEEW), a non-profit dedicated to empowering women around the globe—economically, politically and socially. Neese believes that if you teach women about entrepreneurship, democracy and freedom, we will indeed have a more peaceful world.

Its 2010 classes just started and IEEW has again focused on two war-torn countries, Afghanistan and Rwanda. In 2009 IEEW held eight-week in-country Peace Through Business classes, where the women students developed extensive business plans. Fifteen women from each class were selected for three weeks of activities, speakers and mentoring with women business owners in the Dallas, TX, area last August. The women participated in the International Women's Economic Summit and leadership development designed to not only enhance the business of the individual participants, but to teach them to be leaders in their community and their country.

"While we're reaching a few people here, they'll reach masses by paying forward the knowledge they've gained here" says Neese. She's not kidding. Rwanda graduate Sarah Mukandutiye began mentoring numerous women on farming projects and the development of business plans within a week after her return. And powerful connections created at the International Women's Economic Summit in August provided 100,000-pounds of clothing, medicine, toys and books for the Afghan Child Education and Care Organization (AFCECO), the non-profit orphanage run by 2009 Afghan graduate Andeisha Farid, a 26-year-old guiding force who grew up a refugee. Farid has vowed to make life different in her country and it's visible in the happy faces she sees in the girls and boys under her care. Her efforts have been featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, resulting in donations of $100,000 within days. 

"I know that what I have learned has prepared me for great destiny," said one 2009 Peace Through Business graduate. I can't think of anything better for a woman business owner to be doing but empowering others through a purposeful undertaking that fills one's heart and can change the world. Terry, in today's email you asked what I was doing on March 8, International Women's Day. That's one of many days that I'll be applauding you for your efforts for peace and understanding in this world!

THE 2009 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS GRADUATES 

Comments

[Becca Colbaugh]

Thanks for this great post and for highlighting our PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program.

Our 2010 students will be here in the U.S. in June. Let me know if you'd like to learn more!

I love how you quoted the video -- I'd be happy to provide with an embed link if you'd like to add the video to your great post!

Thanks again!