September 24, 2013
Dear Friends,
One year ago, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton launched the US-Pakistan Women’s Council
before an audience of world leaders during the UN General Assembly in New York City.
Recognizing the critical role economically empowered women play in strengthening stability,
security, and prosperity in any nation, she announced that the Council would promote the
economic advancement of women in Pakistan.
Here are a few highlights from 2013.






Our U.S. Summer Sister Summer Program offered summer scholarships to six female
Pakistani students, who attended classes at Harvard, Smith, Mt. Holyoke, American
University, and the Eleanor Roosevelt Leadership Center at Vassar.
Our Entrepreneurship Symposium linked female entrepreneurs to resources.
Our Women in the Workforce Panel highlighted the importance of diversity in the
workforce. Panelists were Jehan Ara (P@SHA), Fouzia Saeed (Mehargarh), Eleanor
Smeal (Ms. Magazine), and JoAnne Trotter (assistance expert).
Our Opportunity Fellowships will provide year-long scholarships at U.S. community
colleges for ten Pakistani female entrepreneurs in 2013-14.
Our Facebook campaign showcased female leaders. Shad Begum, recipient of the
2012 International Woman of Courage Award, applauded this initiative and noted:
“recognizing women leaders ultimately leads societies to accept women as emerging
leaders.” www.facebook.com/uspakistanwomenscouncil.
Our website provides a complete description of our achievements and our initiatives
for 2014. www.american.edu/sis/us-pakistanwomenscouncil.
Here’s how you can help.
Contact us at womenscouncil@american.edu if you would like to:




Businesses: Offer internships for female students and recent grads. And if you have an
initiative that benefits women, let us know how the Council can support your efforts.
Professional Women/Female Entrepreneurs: Volunteer to speak for our planned
speakers bureau or to be a mentor for our career-coaching workshops.
Entrepreneurs: Volunteer to coach female entrepreneurs.
Universities: Offer needs-based merit scholarships for female students to study in
Pakistan. In the United States, contact us if you would like to offer a summer scholarship
for a female high school student from Pakistan.
Join the Women’s Council Community.



Social Media: Join us on Linked-In to receive updates about the Council.
Share Your News: Tell us what you (or your organization) are doing to promote
economic opportunities for women in Pakistan.
Become a Member: Show your support for the Council’s mission by adding your name
to the “Members” page on our web site.
Thank you.
The Council depends on the support of people, institutions, and businesses that share our passion
for helping Pakistani women succeed. We sincerely thank:








The Embassy of Pakistan
The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulates in Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar
Our advisors, www.american.edu/sis/us-pakistanwomenscouncil/Advisors.cfm
Our partners: American University, the Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs (OPEN),
and the Lahore University of Management Science
Academic supporters: Harvard, Smith College, Mt. Holyoke, American University, the
Eleanor Roosevelt Leadership Center, and Szabist University
Strategic supporters, including Pepsi-Cola, Locke Lord, Convergence, Packages Inc.,
Citibank, Engro, the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Islamabad and Lahore
Technical supporters, including the U.S. Pakistan Business Council, the Center for
International Private Enterprise, P@SHA, the Rotary Club, the Center for International
Media Ethics, Ashoka, and the Association of Pakistani Physicians (APPNA)
And the many individuals who offered their time and resources, including Tahir Jawad,
Sabeen Haque, Ayesha Hamid, Mahbina Waheed, Subeika Rizvi, Prof. Akbar Ahmed,
Dr. Amineh Hoti, Aasia Saail Khan, Shannon Grewer, and Amb. Peter Galbraith
We couldn’t have done it without you.
Very truly yours,
Sarah C. Peck
Executive Director
US-Pakistan Women’s Council