#Tirgan2017 #Tirgan #IranianCanadian
A message from PM Justin Trudeau about Tirgan, with a special shout out to The First Iranian-Canadian Women’s Leadership Conference
Thank you & Merci Beaucoup!
Restoring Faith While Restoring Faces by #BitaMilanian
FaceForwardLAorg Mends the Lives of Victims of #DomesticViolence,#HumanTrafficking and Other Cruel Acts of Crime
It is impossible for those of us who live in loving relationships and families, who have the resources to lead comfortable lives, to imagine the pain and suffering of children and adults who are beaten, burned and scarred inside and out at the hands of people they once loved.
In too many cases, the physical abuse is so great that it leaves victims’ faces disfigured, with emotional abuse so devastating their faith is nearly destroyed.
So imagine what happens when compassionate human beings show up to help after this unthinkable violence occurs. Sometimes this is a police officer or a first responder, an emergency room nurse or physician, or perhaps a neighbor who hears the screams …
And sometimes it is Face Forward. [continue reading at bitamilanian.com/facefoward]
A Pure & Beautiful Realism as a Meditation on the Reality of Climate Change
Zaria Forman's pastel drawings transcend photorealism, bringing the eye and heart into a mystery so strong the mind begins to work differently. Inspired by her mother, Rena Bass Forman, who planned an expedition to Greenland but never made it when she succumbed to brain cancer, Zaria honored the photographic work her mother gave the world with large scale drawings benefitting 350.org, a movement that champions a safe climate and a more equitable world.
Zaria wrote of her “Chasing the Light” expedition, retracing the 1869 journey of American painter William Bradford:
“My mother, Rena Bass Forman, had conceived the idea for the voyage, but sadly did not live to see it through. During the months of her illness, her dedication to the expedition never wavered and I promised to carry out her final journey. In Greenland, I scattered her ashes amongst crackling ice diamonds, on the towering peak of one of earth’s oldest stones and under the green glow of northern lights. She is now a part of the landscape she loved so much. I am deeply grateful for the team of talented artists and scholars and the Wanderbird captains and crew for helping me carry out her wishes and realize her dream. My hope is that these drawings bring awareness, and invite viewers to share the urgency in a hopeful and meaningful way. Art can facilitate a deeper understanding of any crisis, helping us find meaning and optimism in shifting landscapes. “
[continue reading bitamilanian.com/zariaforman]
After emerging as a movement in the last decade, Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programs are starting to graduate children who have evolved into impressive young adults – and our future will be in their very capable hands and hearts.Photo: WindwardSchool.org On Friday, the Windward School’s Class of 2016 graduated, moving forward as responsible, well informed and inspired…
Reza Pakravan’s Long and Winding, Energetic and Inspiring Road: Join Him On His Journey
Some human’s journeys are more personal than others. For my friend Reza Pakravan, his life’s journey is personal and passionate as he continues to race around the world living his best life, while drawing attention to some of the world’s greatest challenges. In March 2011, Reza set the world record for the fastest crossing of the Sahara Desert by bicycle. He has conquered the summit of Mount Sabalan (three miles above sea level), while he was carrying his bike and cycled across the Himalayas in Nepal. [ continue reading at www.bitamilanian.com/rezapakravan ]
Sometimes life throws challenges at us we simply cannot understand. Then a light comes on and a single individual recognizes the gift that adversity delivers, and has a crystal clear sense of their purpose. Such is the case with a woman I admire so deeply. Her story is personal, and so is mine.
Brandy McFadden began advocating for girls and women with epilepsy after she gave birth to her first child. Since she had her first seizure at age 15, she managed her illness with medication but until she had her first child, she was unaware that certain anti-seizure medications can cause developmental delays, characterized by low verbal IQ in children when exposed in utero. [continue reading at www.bitamilanian.com]
1 in 26 people suffer from #epilepsy - so I ask you today to please give $26 in the name of #GivingTuesday, towards a $26,000 goal for the month. I'm giving in the name of my daughter-in-law Dr. Mariellen Ghavami & as someone who suffers from random #seizures personally. Read her story bravely told journey via www.myepilepsystory.org/real-life-epilepsy-stories/mariellens-story. Epilepsy is NOT beyond cure - it is simply UNDERFUNDED. Give at MyEpilepsyStory.org
#GivingTuesday #BtheChange Happy Graduation To The Amazing Young Women In #Afghanistan : A Great Day To Give by #BitaMilanian It’s a good, busy day today, reflecting on and sharing my thoughts and love with so many amazing social entrepreneurs who are benefiting from the great work the team at GivingTuesday has been doing over the last few years to bring awareness to the joy that comes from giving. I’ve never been a fan of #BlackFriday or #CyberMonday – but I love #GivingTuesday and as we start this last month of 2015, I will be sharing lots of little stories about all the charities my husband Bruce and I have supported for years. But this year, I am highlighting on my personal blog one organization and one woman in particular who is making a huge difference in Afghanistan – Aid Afghanistan for Education. Last year, I shared with you Hassina Sherjan’s (www.bitamilanian.com/hassinasherjan) story who is the founder of AAE and am very proud to share today her continuing progress. [continue reading at bitamilanian.com] (at Afghanistan)
#BtheChange Octaves of Consciousness - Dr. Amir Vokshoor
It is no secret that I am keenly interested in innovation across a variety of fields. Innovation is the result of passion, determination, and a great deal of hard work. At its best, innovation – whether in the field of technology, economics, or social justice – leads to the betterment of lives.
When I think of innovation in the field of medicine, I think of my friend Dr. Amir Vokshoor. I have had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Vokshoor for many years now and have always found his work and research in the area of neuroscience to be nothing short of fascinating. Dr. Vokshoor is a board-certified neurosurgeon, specializing in the surgical treatment of cranial and spinal disorders and treating a wide range of patients, including trauma and cancer victims, people suffering from degenerative conditions, and even professional athletes. [continue reading at www.bitamilanian.com/amirvokshoor]
Today, I celebrate my first birthday as a grandmother. Our grandson, Hudson, was born earlier this summer and when I held him in my arms, I knew my life was changed forever. Life is so precious - a miracle! When I, along with millions of others, saw the image of little Alan Kurdi washed up…
When I, along with millions of others, saw the image of little Alan Kurdi washed up on a beach in Turkey – I reacted as a grandmother. How could this possibly be true? How is it that in this world, innocent children and families are dying because we cannot respond to humanitarian crises, including establishing a system for political asylum and care for refugees even as we spend billions of dollars protecting ourselves from terrorism?
Today, I am doubling down on my lifelong passion for and dedication to the protection of children and invite you to join me, my friends and family, and my colleagues to be part of, to “do something.”
Here are eight ways we can join together and help:
1. First of all, don’t feel overwhelmed by crises like these – we can all help, whether in small or big ways. Believing we can make a difference is an important step – it changes our attitude into altitude.
2. Write to your elected officials demanding attention and immediate action to send aid to Syrian refugees; regardless of where you live, you can easily go online, find your state, local and national representatives and contact them either directly or through any number of organizations who are advocating for funds and humanitarian troops. You pay taxes. Help guide your elected officials on where you want your taxes to go.
3. Share, share, and share again. Whether at your church, synagogue, mosque or community center; whether on your social networks; whether you are at a dinner party or business lunch – let’s talk about this. It is now possible to amplify your voice – in fact you can start now, by sharing this with ten friends and asking them to share with ten friends.
4. Donate. Here are a few organizations to consider. But there are many others and they are easier to find nowadays than ever.
Save the Children: distributing essential items such as nappies, hygiene kits and food
Red Cross Europe: providing emergency health services at central train stations
Migrant Offshore Aid Station: dedicated to preventing migrant deaths at sea
International Rescue Committee: improving living conditions by setting up camps
Pilosio Building Peace: create safe, transitional, comfortable and functional structures in the Refugee Camps
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR): providing water, mosquito nets, tents and healthcare
Refugee Action: advice about claiming asylum, the asylum process and asylum support
World Vision: providing food, water, shelter, education and psychosocial care
5. Enlist your business networks to help. Don’t be afraid to mix your business life with your philanthropic life. There are many individuals in the business world who are giving back and surprising us with their incredible acts of generosity. For example, Chobani’s founder Hamdi Ulukaya who has pledged most of his wealth, at least 700 million dollars, to help the Kurdish refugees as well as refugees from all around the world or Jonas Elgquist, the Swedish CEO who canceled a corporate vacation trip to Italy organized for the company’s employees to donate the money to the same cause. All of his employees joined their CEO to give up their hard-earned incentive trip to give back. Talk to your employers or staff to find out how you can be creative in doing similar things. We are doing the same at my company and will soon be announcing our global initiatives in support of the refugees around the world.
6. Connect with journalists and media outlets covering the news on the ground via their social media channels to have access to factual news from the region and share from the source. One of the great sources I enjoy following is AJ+. Kudos to all the journalists risking their lives covering the news for us.
7. Don’t just think globally – act globally. Early next month, my company is sponsoring a business summit in Istanbul and are being supported by one of our partners headquartered in Turkey. While we will be very busy interacting around an important global technology and Internet initiative – we look forward to talking local experts on the refugee challenge to better understand the situation and engage the global business leaders from nearly every continent who will be with us. These executives are influential and we look forward to their supporting ways to help solve the challenges, including with public and private partnerships – and this will scale.
8. Finally - take some time to educate yourself. The United Nations website is a good place to start. They recently published a report on the size of the refugee global diaspora. Know the facts, share the facts. Encourage your local school teachers to share with children, so we raise a generation of thoughtful leaders who are compassionate without boundaries. Avoid politics, focus on policy.
Read Bita’s experience as a refugee during the Iran-Iraq war
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