Proclaimed the 'Bravest Woman in Afghanistan' Malalai Joya to Speak in San Francisco...

Proclaimed the 'Bravest Woman in Afghanistan' Malalai Joya to Speak in San
Francisco on July 16
Courageous Politician and Activist Survived Four Assassination Attempts

SAN FRANCISCO, July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Malalai Joya, the
youngest elected member of Afghanistan's national parliament and past elected
delegate for Afghanistan's historic constitutional assembly, will appear in
San Francisco on July 16, 2008 at the San Francisco Omni Hotel as part of the
International Museum of Women's (I.M.O.W.) Extraordinary Voices, Extraordinary
Change Speaker Series program
(http://www.imow.org/calendar/programs/speaker_series ). Beginning with a
reception at 5:00 p.m., Joya will speak at 6:00 p.m. about her experiences as
a young, popular and infamous woman who has demonstrated the courage to
challenge her fellow representatives and fight for democracy and women's
rights.
A committed leader, Joya was suspended from her position in Afghanistan's
national parliament in 2007 for speaking out against her country's former
leaders. The suspension, currently under appeal, sparked international
protest. Joya's conviction to bring about change in her country has led to
attacks, threats of rape and death, and several assassination attempts.
Bringing Joya to San Francisco to share her story is part of I.M.O.W.'s effort
to raise awareness about remarkable women in politics and is held in
conjunction with I.M.O.W.'s new global online exhibition, Women, Power and
Politics at www.imow.org.
Joya sprang to fame at the age of 25 for speaking out against the ex-
mujahideen fighters who dominated Afghanistan's constitutional assembly and
now are members of the country's national parliament. Despite the dangers she
faces, Joya continues to fight against the ex-mujahideen leaders and says that
no amount of intimidation will stop her efforts.
Speaker Series Event Details:
-- Malalai Joya, "Bravest Woman in Afghanistan"
-- Wednesday, July 16, 2008
-- 5:00 p.m. Reception; 6:00 p.m. Program
-- Omni San Francisco Hotel, 500 California St. at Montgomery
-- Tickets: $25/general public, $20/Museum members, $15/students
Available online at www.imow.org or by calling 415.487.6447

About the International Museum of Women
The International Museum of Women (I.M.O.W.) is a groundbreaking social
change museum that inspires global action, connects people across borders and
transforms hearts and minds. The mission of I.M.O.W is to value the lives of
women around the world. I.M.O.W. exhibitions, education and events programming
are offered globally and locally in the San Francisco Bay Area. Learn more at
www.imow.org.
SOURCE International Museum of Women

Dannie Tillman, Director of Marketing, Communications & Brand Strategy of
International Museum of Women, +1-415-543-4669, ext. 28, dannie@imow.org