CEDAR HILL –A luncheon to raise funds for a program that trains women from Rwanda and Afghanistan to be more skilled entrepreneurs was recently held in Houston.

Northwood University is hosting the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women and its program, Peace Through Business, on its Texas campus in August. The fundraiser was at the Houstonian Hotel Club & Spa on June 5 and raised $15,520. It was hosted by Dr. Carolyn Farb, a 1996 Northwood Distinguished Woman, and Betty Hrncir, named a Distinguished Woman in 2008. Mark Yanke, a Northwood alumnus and senior vice president for The Redstone Companies, which owns the Houstonian, underwrote the cost of the luncheon.

“The Afghan women live a breath away from the Taliban. Women from Rwanda represent 82 percent of their country’s population since the insurgence that had killed so many men in their nation,” Dr. Farb told the crowd. “The first Peace through Business program was conducted in 2007 with many success stories. The women took home new and positive experiences to teach other women business owners and entrepreneurs.”

Terry Neese, founder of IEEW, attended the luncheon and spoke about the Peace Through Business program. She described the program’s beginnings, its successes, as well as information about the 2009 class.

“Houston women get it,” Neese said. “They understand the dynamics of educating women in developing countries.  They know if you educate a woman, you educate her family and often her village or province.  Houston’s female leadership, Dr. Carolyn Farb and Betty Hrncir, are patriots for paying forward their blessings.”

Dr. Farb noted each participant leaves the program with a completed business plan to follow. She continues receiving support when she returns to her home country. In fact, the women’s survival, in many cases, is dependent upon the businesses they start and grow.

“The training they receive in their own countries, along with the entrepreneurial leadership training on the Northwood University campus, is followed by a mentoring program with a female business owner,” Dr. Farb said. “This program will provide the foundation and dynamics of a global free enterprise society.”

Women mentors are still being sought for the program. Visit http://www.ieew.org/summit-gala-registration/mentor-application.

Photos and cutlines for the fundraiser are at

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=9tqkkoar.2ic86g4j&x=0&y=38lolm&localeid=en_US

About IEEW

The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women is a 501(c)3 non-profit empowering women to grow their businesses, pursue greater entrepreneurial ventures and become more active public policy advocates.  The Institute accomplishes this mission by focusing on education, mentorship and coaching women in the United States and abroad who are seeking to acquire entrepreneurial skills to help start and grow a business.

About Northwood University

Northwood University is committed to the most personal attention to prepare students for success in their careers and in their communities; it promotes critical thinking skills and personal effectiveness, and the importance of ethics, individual freedom and responsibility.

Private, nonprofit and accredited, Northwood University specializes in managerial and entrepreneurial education at three full-service, residential campuses located in Southern Florida, mid-Michigan and Northern Texas.  Adult Degree Programs are available in eight states with many course delivery options including online.  The DeVos Graduate School offers full-time, evening and industry specific master’s degree programs for entrepreneurs and executives in Michigan, Texas and Switzerland.  The Alden B. Dow Creativity Center on the Midland, Michigan, campus specializes in creative thinking and innovation development.  International education is offered through terms abroad and in Program Centers in Switzerland, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bahrain.  Northwood University also operates the Margaret Chase Smith Library in Maine.

50 Years of Enterprise and Ethics

Northwood University is marking its 50-year anniversary.  Founded in 1959, Northwood has grown to a national and international presence and is an influential advocate for free enterprise. Celebrations are planned across the country and around the world to commemorate the vision and success of Northwood University’s founders, Drs. R. Gary Stauffer and Arthur Turner.