Boston Organization Hosts “Raise for Women” A Holiday Shopping Event for Global Good

Nov. 29, 2012 - PRLog -- Boston-area humanitarian organization The Women’s ACTION Initiative (WAI) is hosting Raise for Women, a holiday shopping event, together with Original Women at the Marathon Physical Therapy clinics in Newton, MA on December 6 and in Norton, MA on December 7.  The event, benefitting WAI’s maternal health program in the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as local women’s health initiatives, will feature scarves, jewelry, accessories and home décor all hand crafted by global female artisans.

“This is a chance for area residents to shop gifts that are truly unique and special. Those who come to our events will be supporting very small women-owned businesses around the world and at the same time supporting life-changing work in rehabilitation and maternal health for women in the US and in The Democratic Republic of Congo,” says physical therapist Jessica McKinney, WAI’s Executive Director and Co-Founder of Marathon Physical Therapy. In February, McKinney will travel to Goma, DRC to treat and rehabilitate women suffering from obstetric fistula along with a urogynecologist from Mount Auburn Hospital and two additional physical therapists specialized in maternal health in developing nations. They will also train care providers in the region on facilitating recovery to victims of this devastating childbirth injury that often results in women being ostracized from family and community due to stigma of leaking urine and feces.  McKinney stresses that the political and safety situation in Congo is tenuous at present due to an escalation of violence and conflict with the M23 militia. Travel will be modified or proceed accordingly, however, WAI will continue to work in rehabilitation services for obstetric fistula in Congo and elsewhere. Visit http://www.womensaction.org/events-projects/ for more information on WAI programs or to donate directly.

The public is welcome to stop by and shop at WAI’s Raise for Women Event Thursday, December 6, at the Marathon Physical Therapy clinic at 425 Centre Street Newton, MA. There will be a daytime open house from 12pm to 6pm followed by a shopping and holiday reception from 6pm to 9pm, including complimentary refreshments and drinks. On Friday December 7, the event will be held at Marathon Physical Therapy’s clinic at 250 East Main Street Norton, MA 02766, and will also hold an open house from 12pm to 6pm with shopping and holiday reception to follow from 6pm to 9pm.

Original Women will also donate 10% of online sales from the Raise for Women Collection at http://www.original-women.com from November 22 through December 22.