We need to envision the world we want and express it in ways that touch the heart as well as the mind. It has worked before, it can work again. ~Candie Carawan @ 2004 Ironweed **** Mountian Women at the U.N. On International Women's Day, the Appalachian Women's Alliance traveled to the United Nations in New York City to perform Mountain Women Rising as part of the 50th session of The UN Commission on the Status of Women. Joining with an extraordinary group of women from throughout the United States, Alliance members shared the struggles and triumphs of Appalachian women's lives through drama, music, poetry and storytelling. Organized by the Rural Development Leadership Network, other presenters included the Organización de Lideres Campesinas en California, Early County (Georgia)'s Southern Rural Black Women's Initiative, and the Southwest Alabama Rural and Minority Women's Association. "What a wonderful feeling it was to be there in that church and to see all those strong, beautiful, determined women from all over the world as we sat listening to each others stories," reflected performer, Rema Keen. That day, our stories gave us power and they gave voice to countless women who could not be there in that room with us to speak for themselves. Our stories brought us all together there, in that place, as one - one body, one voice, one song, one spirit - crying out for human rights and dignity for all people. Call or e-mail for information about fees and availability. AWA@swva.net

P.O. BOX 688 * FLOYD, VIRGINIA 24091 * AWA@swva.net       Artists for Social Change   MWRising Flyer   Ironweed Gathering         Who Owns Appalachia by Sue Massek performed by Gaye Johnson     *******     Come with us on a journey through the mountains as Appalachian artists weave a tapestry of women's lives through poetry and prose, story and song.             P E R F O R M A N C E S                     P E R F O R M A N C E S   Emory & Henry College Mountain Justice Summer Earth Days in the Cumberlands Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance United Nations Women's Leadership Conference at Ferrum College Appalachian Studies Association Conference United States Social Forum Big Creek People in Action Women of Appalachia Conference Eastern Kentucky University Berea College Warren Wilson College Kenyon College Just Connections Conference Radford University Hollins University  Ferrum College  University of Richmond Ironweed Gathering Highlander Center Pine Mountain Settlement School Hurley Community Development Center          P E R F O R M A N C E S                     P E R F O R M A N C E S The audience responds!