I recently returned from
Jacksonville where we celebrated TIAW’s 25th Anniversary at the 2005 TIAW Global Partnership Forum, hosted by Women’s Business Owners of North Florida.We were fortunate that hurricane Wilma did not reach Jacksonville, and our thoughts are with those in Florida, and beyond who suffered terrible damage from the hurricane.
Our Global Forum was a wonderful event with excellent speakers, great networking and time to catch up with all the past presidents that joined us!The Awards Dinner and Silent Auction were the highlight of the conference. We honored all our past presidents with The Marion Goetze 21st Century Award for their work in building TIAW to what it is today.We also presented Sally Armstrong, renowned Human Rights activist, Amnesty International award winner, award winning author and documentary filmmaker of “The Unveiled” with the TIAW World of Difference Award.
No stranger to conflict, Sally Armstrong has covered stories from Rwanda, Bosnia and Afghanistan. Sally’s passion is uncovering the hidden influence of the women she encounters.We were doubly blessed to hear from Sally Armstrong both at the dinner Thursday night and as our keynote speaker Friday morning.
If you missed this year’s Global Forum, there’s an exciting International Trip to in March you will not want to miss, and of course there’s the 2006 TIAW Global Partnership Forum in
Atlanta next fall.See our “Save The Date” section for details. In addition, you can learn about TIAW’s history by purchasing our 25th anniversary history book written by the Marketing Committee under the leadership of Lea Chambers and
Avil Beckford , for the modest price of $10.Contact
Maxine Westaway at
mwestaway@tiaw.org to secure your copy today.
Sadly, I am writing to you for the last time as TIAW president.The past two years have flown by.I have learned so much from serving as your president, not the least of which is that we are made stronger by the bonds we develop with the members around the world.I will always treasure the individual women I have met through TIAW for their wisdom, energy and guidance.Two quotes from Oprah Winfrey summarize it best. “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you." And, “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher."I salute the Women of TIAW and look forward to continued contact with you in the future.
