• what we do

  • Services
  • Advocacy
  • Education

• what you can do

  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Advocate
    • Spread the Word
    • Join the Public Policy Council
    • Join the Advisory Council of Houston
    • Support Our National and Houston Benefits
      • 2005 Benefit Highlights
      • 2006 Benefit Highlights
      • 2007 Benefit Highlights
      • 2008 Benefit Highlights
      • 2009 Benefit Highlights
      • 2010 Benefit Highlights
      • 2011 Benefit Highlights
    • Become a Foundation or Corporate Partner
  • Donate
• SIGN UP FOR NEWS

2007 Benefit Highlights

The Tahirih Justice Center held its Tenth Anniversary Fundraising Benefit on October 2, 2007, in Washington, DC. The evening was a resounding success and a moving celebration of ten years of service dedicated to courageous women and girls seeking justice from gender-based violence. This year, we were honored to have Senator Jim Webb and Congressman James Moran, two accomplished human rights advocates, provide inspiring remarks to a large audience of distinguished guests.

Senator Jim Webb, the evening’s Keynote Speaker, is a tireless champion for the rights of vulnerable communities, a principled commitment apparent in the eloquent remarks he shared. Senator Webb, Virginia’s newest Senator, has a distinguished military and public service career and has done extensive pro bono work with the Vietnamese community in an effort to promote peace and economic development. Senator Webb is also involved in issues affecting veterans. He is committed to protecting women and girls fleeing gender-based violence, and only days before the Benefit his office referred an abused woman to Tahirih’s offices. In addition, Senator Webb has supported our advocacy efforts to ensure victims’ access to police protection.

Congressman Jim Moran, a committed supporter of Tahirih’s efforts to provide critical legal representation and social service referrals for immigrant women and girls fleeing gender-based violence, provided remarks and introduced Senator Jim Webb. Congressman Moran has supported Tahirih’s work to end exploitation by international marriage broker agencies and was a key advocate in the passage of the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act. Congressman Moran has requested an appropriation from Congress to fund Tahirih’s efforts in protecting vulnerable women and girls.

This year, Tahirih presented three 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 Covington & Burling LLP, the Pushing the Envelope Award to EILEEN FISHER, and Volunteer Service Award to Leslie Nickel.

In addition, Tahirih unveiled a video presentation where several clients, in their own voices, told of their struggles to flee violent abuse and how they are now rebuilding their lives in peace. Their powerful stories conveyed the strength and determination that defines many of the women and girls we serve, as well as the challenges our clients have to overcome in search of justice.

Also during the evening, we announced the launch of our national expansion initiative, which, by leveraging Tahirih’s relationships with pro bono attorneys at national law firms, will ultimately enable Tahirih to serve vulnerable immigrant women and girls around the country.
The evening concluded with inspiring remarks from Tahirih’s client speaker, Ibrahima.* Ibrahima suffered brutal violence in her native Sudan due to her political activities opposing the government and the regime’s enforcement of a traditional dress code for Muslim women. She was also abused for years by her husband who did not tolerate her views. With support from Tahirih, Ibrahima was granted asylum in January 2003, and now lives safely in Virginia with her two sons. Ibrahima recently received her Masters Degree from George Mason University and is working as a network administrator.

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 (view full list), 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 two 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 (view full list) and silent auction contributors (view full list)—through their kindness and generosity we were able to raise more money than ever before in support of vulnerable women and girls fleeing violence.