The Omega Institute and V-Day to Host Women, Power and Peace September 14-16, 2007

Four Women Nobel Prize Winners, Eve Ensler, Jane Fonda, Natalie Merchant and many other prominent women from diverse fields gather to make peace and powerful change in the world

RHINEBECK, N.Y., May, 2007 – All over the globe, women are forging new paths to peace and sustainability, using new strategies, partnerships, and power structures. For three historic days in September, The Omega Institute and V-Day will host a gathering of visionary leaders, authors, actors, and members of the public to examine the relationship between women, power, and peace.

The forward-looking conversations and inspiring presentations will be shaped and guided by four women Nobel Peace winners, V-Day founder and award-winning author of The Vagina Monologues Eve Ensler, Omega's co-founder Elizabeth Lesser, Jane Fonda, Natalie Merchant and a host of other activists and celebrities in attendance, and will seek answers to the questions: how do women redefine power, create peace in their daily lives and make change in the world?

"In order to achieve peace in the world—and in our families, communities, and businesses—we need the voices and values of women. In order for this to happen, women need to trust what they already know: that humankind is not doomed to greed and violence; that war is a lack of imagination; and that our time has come. At this conference you will meet many women who are doing this. Let their courage, their stories, and their experiences teach and inspire you," said Elizabeth Lesser.

There will be time allotted between keynote speakers and performances for participants to join in smaller workshops and discussions to gain valuable skills for cultivating and sustaining peace. The conference begins on Friday at 8pm and ends Sunday at 4pm. Evening entertainment will include a solo acoustic concert by Grammy Award-winner, Natalie Merchant and a theatrical reading of “Necessary Targets,” a play written by Eve Ensler.

Sponsors
The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies is the nation’s largest holistic learning center. Omega is celebrating its 30th Anniversary of providing innovative, educational programming for the mind, body and spirit. The Women's Institute at Omega, a dynamic new component of Omega, is dedicated to empowering women around the world. To learn about Omega’s diverse programs, wellness retreats and social activism, visit www.eomega.org.

V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. Founded by Eve Ensler in 1998, V-Day has raised over $40 million and educated millions about the issue of violence against women and the efforts to end it, crafted international educational, media and PSA campaigns, launched the Karama program in the Middle East, reopened shelters, and funded over 5000 community-based anti-violence programs and safe houses in Kenya, South Dakota, Egypt and Iraq. For more information about V-Day's important work, visit www.vday.org.

The Nobel Women's Initiative was established in 2006 by Nobel Peace Prize laureates Shirin Ebadi, Wangari Maathai, Rigoberta Menchú Tum, Betty Williams, and Jody Williams. Representing North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, their extraordinary experiences unite in a goal for peace with justice and equality. Please visit them online at, www.nobelwomensinitiative.org.