June 19 is the birthday of Nobel Peace Prize winner and democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi; it has also become known as Women of Burma Day.
In honor of this day, New York-based organization, Women on the Move For Burma (WOMB), hosted a dinner to honor Aung San Suu Kyi as well as other women from Burma, who through their courage and non-violent struggle have helped to keep the democracy movement in Burma alive.
WOMB has been collecting nominations of women who have made significant contributions to the democracy movement. WOMB have chosen 10 honorees from the many nominations.
These nominations originated from organizations and individuals who work every day for the democracy movement both in the US and on the Thai-Burma border. Each and every woman nominated displayed courage, strength and unwavering devotion to the democracy movement. Each day these women choose to risk their lives so that one day the Burmese people can enjoy the freedom and respect for human rights that democracy brings.
US Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Human Rights professor George Andreopoulos, Director of the Center of International Human Rights at John Jay College, Daw Si Si Thwe, wife of NCGUB’s Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win, Khin Phyu Htway, Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS) and Naw Khaing Mar Kyaw Zaw, Karen Women Organization (KWO)delivered speech respectively at this evening event.
Women On the Move for Burma consists of professional women and students, women from U.S. and women from Burma. WOMB's Mission is to provide resources towards improving health, education and human rights in Burma especially with respect to women and children.