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Tahirih’s Eleventh Annual Benefit a Poignant and Successful Event!

Rainn Wilson serves as Master of Ceremonies, Congressman James Moran and Tahirih Client Speaker Rati Sud provide touching remarks, and Irena Lieberman remembers Michael Maggio. Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan serves as Honorary Chair of the distinguished Benefit Committee. The event is the most financially successful Benefit in Tahirih’s history, in large part due to Shell Oil Company, which sponsored at the highest level.

The Tahirih Justice Center held its Eleventh Annual Fundraising Benefit on September 27, 2008, in Arlington, VA. The evening was a resounding success and a moving celebration of eleven years of service dedicated to courageous women and girls seeking justice from gender-based violence. Even given the challenging economic climate, the event was the most financially successful Benefit in Tahirih’s history, resulting in a 7% increase in funds raised. This year, we were honored to have Rainn Wilson, the Emmy-nominated actor who plays “Dwight” in the hit TV series The Office, serve as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. For the third year, we were privileged to have Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan as the Honorary Chair of the Benefit Committee.

2008 TAHIRIH BENEFIT COMMITTEE

Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, Honorary Chair

Angela Fox, Co-Chair

Karen & John Hofmeister, Co-Chairs

Debra Winger, Co-Chair

Donna Callejon & Deborah Whiteside

Laurie Plessala & Juan Carlos Duperier

Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas

Janet Gent

Betsy & Frank Karel

Frank Kendall & Elizabeth Halpern

Michael MacLeod

Neda & Hamid Moayad

Joanne Moore

Amy & Wilson Mudge

Fern O’Brian

Jackie Eghrari-Sabet & Sina Sabet

Victoria Sant

During the evening, we recognized Congressman James Moran with the Pillar of Justice Award for his committed efforts to protect women and girls fleeing human rights abuses and his tireless support of the Tahirih Justice Center. Congressman Moran has been an outspoken and passionate advocate of women and girls’ rights and has consistently championed legislation to support survivors of violence in the United States and from around the world. Moreover, Congressman Moran successfully sponsored two appropriation requests on Tahirih’s behalf to ensure that we can continue to protect our clients and to respond to the ever-increasing need for our services.

Tahirih also presented three additional awards—hand painted artwork by children of Tahirih clients—to two organizations and an individual who have shown an extraordinary commitment over the years to furthering Tahirih’s mission and to ending violence against women. The awards included the Law Firm of the Year Award to Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, the Pushing the Envelope Award to Trellis Fund, and Volunteer Service Award to Samar Al Rayyis.

Rati Sud, a former Tahirih client, spoke about her challenges and ultimate triumph over violence. Rati was married through an arranged match to a man introduced to her family though a distant relative. When Rati arrived in the United States from India, she became subject to nearly constant physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. With the help of the Tahirih Justice Center, Rati applied for a U visa, a form of immigration relief for victims of crime who assist law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of their perpetrators. On May 2, 2006, she was granted Deferred Action status, allowing her to stay in the United States. Rati currently resides in Maryland and has a successful career at a radio and television ratings research company.

Tahirih was grateful to have Rainn Wilson as Master of Ceremonies during the evening. In addition to his celebrated career as an actor, Mr. Wilson is committed to living his values and supports the work of several charitable organizations focused on education and the empowerment of women. Mr. Wilson has been a generous supporter of Tahirih’s efforts to protect women and girls and lent his voice to raise awareness about the violence they endure. Rainn Wilson also gave his time on the day after the Benefit to discuss his commitment to Tahirih and talk about his role in The Office at an event held at George Washington University.

Benefit Committee

We are grateful to all the guests and participants who joined us at the Benefit, as well as those who were with us in spirit. A very special thanks goes out to the distinguished members of our Benefit Committee, led by Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan. Her Majesty is a dedicated human rights activist and has supported our work by speaking at a prior Tahirih Benefit and chairing the Benefit Committee over the past three years. The kind participation of all Committee members ensured the evening’s success and their ongoing efforts to promote Tahirih’s mission ensure that we can continue our important work of protecting women and girls.

Sponsors and Silent Auction Contributors

Tahirih is privileged and honored to have the support of committed sponsors and silent auction contributors—through their kindness and generosity we were able to raise more money than ever before in support of vulnerable women and girls fleeing violence.

Tahirih’s Eleventh Annual Fundraising Benefit would also not have been possible without the tireless commitment of supporters who donated their services and volunteered their time to make the evening such a moving celebration. Thank you to all those who participated to make the event a wonderful success.