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Women For Women

SAWIB08 Winner

Company: Women For Women, Colorado Springs, CO
Entry Submitted By: The Harrell Group
Company Description: Women for Women is a non-profit organization that offers treatment, shelter, literacy and entrepreneurial training for Ethiopian women who suffer from obstetric fistula. Women are given the tools to become self-sufficient, freeing them from the dependency on their families who had previously left them for dead.
Nomination Category: Company/Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Women Helping Women Award

Nomination Title: Becky Kiser, Founder, Women for Women

1. Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated individual or company during the eligibility period (up to 500 words):

Since July 1, 2007, Becky Kiser has conquered a mountain of obstacles, including
getting the Ethiopian government's approval to continue her work with Women for
Women and her Trampled Rose shelter in Ethiopia. Women for Women is a 501c3
foundation with the mission of stopping Obstetric Fistula in Ethiopia.

Most importantly, Becky has saved hundreds of women's lives suffering from this
devastating condition which results from prolonged labor, particularly in small
or undernourished women. It can limit blood flow to the vagina, leaving holes
through which urine and feces pass uncontrollably.

This past spring, Becky also started traveling to the Ethiopian countryside to
educate thousands of villagers about the devastating effects of obstetric
fistula. Despite there being more than 100,000 existing cases in Ethiopia, few
people know much about it and assume it is a curse from God. In addition, Becky
attended the Women's eNews Gala in New York City hosted by Martha Stewart
Omnimedia where she was named one of the 21 Leaders for the 21 st Century by
Women's eNews.

Along with Becky's frequent travels to Ethiopia, she has maintained her position
as a Mary Kay Independent Senior Sales Director and leader in the Mary Kay
independent sales force. She credits her Mary Kay business as giving her the
skills and flexibility needed to lead and develop Women for Women. Becky takes
all her profits from her Mary Kay business to support Women for Women and the
Trampled Rose Shelter.

2. List the URLs (web addresses) of any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that you would like the judges to see that support your entry. IMPORTANT: List each URL on a separate line, begin each URL with http://, and enclose each URL in square brackets. For example, [http://www.yourcompany.com/pressrelease.html]:

Supporting materials for this entry were submitted offline.

3. Provide a brief biography of the nominated person, or of the person or persons who lead the nominated company (up to 100 words):

Prior to starting Women for Women, Becky Kiser graduated Magna Cum Laude as the
Outstanding Graduate of the Year with a major in Organizational Management from
the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. She soon found herself as the
successful president of a construction company, but ultimately left the
construction industry for the entrepreneurial life and became a Mary Kay
Independent Beauty Consultant.

Becky's business sense and hard work created personal and professional success.
She is now a respected Mary Kay Independent Senior Sales Director and a leader
in the Mary Kay independent sales force. She credits her Mary Kay business as
giving her the skills and flexibility needed to lead and develop Women for Women.