Pro Mujer Celebrates Service to Over 1 Million Women and Their Families at Oct. 22 Benefit
Pro Mujer celebrated its 17 years of service on October 22 with a gala at the Lighthouse in New York City. The event raised more than US$500,000 to support Pro Mujer's efforts in Latin America.
New York, NY (PRWEB) November 1, 2007 -- Pro Mujer (www.promujer.org), a development organization providing Latin America's poorest women with microfinance, business training and healthcare, celebrated its 17 years of service on October 22 with a gala at the Lighthouse in New York City. The event raised more than US$500,000 to support Pro Mujer's efforts in Latin America.
Citi and its global director of microfinance, Bob Annibale, and Western Union's president, CEO and director, Christina Gold, were honored at the event.
Flora Callisaya, a client of Pro Mujer in Bolivia, was a special guest at the event. Six years ago Ms. Callisaya used her first loan from Pro Mujer to start a printing and photocopying business. With her increased income and savings, she bought her own land and a house. Thanks to Pro Mujer, she gets regular PAP smears, and physical exams and vaccinations for herself and her children.
"Before I was very timid and didn't talk to people. Now I interact with people all the time. I've seen for myself that women can advance, that we are worth something and can help ourselves," said Ms. Callisaya. "Pro Mujer is like school for us. Here we can see each other, have fun, relax and learn."
The gala was chaired by Rosario Perez, founder and owner of R.P. Advisors LLC, with co-chairs Stephen R. Downes, executive director of Cushman & Wakefield, and Jonathan Weiss, head of investment banking for Wachovia Securities.
Honorary chairs Robert and Luciana Duvall joined 330 guests and senior level representatives from corporations such as AIG, Avon, Alothon Group, Citi, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Standard & Poor's, and Western Union, among others.
Salma Hayek, Placido Domingo, Benjamin Bratt, Talisa Soto, and Maria Elena Lagomasino were also honorary chairs.
At the event guests made pledges of up to $5,000 each to sponsor a Pro Mujer communal bank, which helps 25 poor women to expand their business, increase their income, gain access to health services, develop self-confidence and build leadership skills.
To find out how to sponsor a communal bank, contact Leila Freedman at 212.952.0181 x15 or lfreedman @ promujer.org
About Pro Mujer
Pro Mujer has presence in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. Since its inception in 1990, the organization has disbursed more than US$327 million in small loans averaging approximately US$189. Pro Mujer clients have saved US$12 million, providing a financial buffer for their families in times of crises.
Pro Mujer is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. More information is available on the website, www.promujer.org
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