{"id":37605,"date":"2018-04-04T13:37:25","date_gmt":"2018-04-04T17:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=37605"},"modified":"2018-04-09T09:20:59","modified_gmt":"2018-04-09T13:20:59","slug":"spring-gala-to-benefit-unicef-usas-work-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2018\/spring-gala-to-benefit-unicef-usas-work-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring gala to benefit UNICEF\/USA’s work in the Democratic Republic of Congo"},"content":{"rendered":"

The International Student Organization (ISO) at Eastern Mennonite University has announced the guest speaker for its 2018 Spring Gala, which will benefit UNICEF\/USA\u2019s work with vulnerable children and women affected by sexual violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Diana Fox, a three-time Fulbright Fellow, will speak during the April 14 gala in Martin Chapel. She is the chair of Bridgewater (Massachusetts) State University\u2019s department of anthropology and the founder and editor of the <\/span>Journal of International Women\u2019s Studies<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tickets for the formal event, which includes a meal, live performances and more are $25 ($15 for students) and are available for <\/span>purchase online here.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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Paul Kayembe is the International Student Organization president.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Canadian-born actress Emmanuelle Chriqui will send her regards and support of the event by video. Her visit to the DRC in 2016 to learn about institutions helping women greatly impacted her \u2013 <\/span>she wrote about it in a Huffington Post article<\/span><\/a>. Her itinerary there included a stop at an organization where ISO president Paul Kayembe once interned as a high school student. By way of connections made through that visit, he was able to contact Chriqui.<\/span><\/p>\n

A variety of student acts are slated for appearance. Willow Run, an acoustic trio that \u201cdances between borders of Americana, country and indie-rock with a minimalist approach,\u201d has performed at the Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale and includes Jon Bishop \u201817 and seniors Perry Blosser and Joseph Harder. Maleke Jones, recognized recently for his song \u201cCaged Bird,\u201d and the EMU jazz combo will also perform, as will spoken word artist Talibah Aquil. Before becoming a graduate student at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, Aquil toured with the professional dance troupe, Step Afrika!\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

An auction will feature works currently on display and <\/span>available for viewing and reserving here<\/span><\/a> in the Sadie Hartzler Library: <\/span><\/p>\n