LPGA and FSA bring Sports Diplomacy for Women to a New Level
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Author: Friends of Saudi Arabia
Released 24 March 2007
Orlando, Florida – March 19, 2007—The Ladies Professional Golf Association and Friends of Saudi Arabia have teamed up in a sports diplomacy initiative to bring Americans and Saudis together for sport and dialogue at the Friendship Invitational Woman’s Pro-Am Golf Tournament and Forum in Orlando, Florida April 15-17, 2007. The event will bring sports diplomacy for women to a new level allowing women’s empowerment and interaction to occur both on and off the green.
The LPGA is doing much to promote not only women’s golf but to empower and enable women to reach their full potential in many facets of life. FSA joins the efforts of the LPGA to empower woman through breaking down barriers, promoting cultural and social exchange, networking and opening doors to mutual cooperation and business potential.
After a day on the green, Pro golfers Renee Powell, who holds the First Lady of Golf Award from the Professional Golfers’ Association, and Joanne Foreman, Collegiate All-American 1983 U.S Women's Amateur Champion, will join FSA for forums to discuss topics that affect women both in Saudi Arabia and in the United States. The forum, discussions, and workshops will bring everybody together to discuss concerns that face society as a whole, including gender, culture, diversity and leadership.
Forum speakers include: Ambassador Wendy Chamberlain, President of Middle East Institute and former UN high commissioner; Supermodel/Actress and activist, Amber Valletta; Saudi writer and TV Presenter, Lubna Hussein; California politician, Ferial Masry, the first Saudi woman to run for office; Ergonomics Researcher, Shatha Samman; and Pam Swensen of the Executive Women Golfers Association.
Hosted at the Ginn Reunion Resort, home of the annual LPGA Ginn Open, the Friendship Invitational sets out to build bridges of communication and understanding by dispelling stereotypes about Saudi Arabia those are all-too-often engrained in our ideologies. Beginning at the heels of the Ginn Open, the Friendship Invitational will include many LPGA Pros, including Caroline Bivens, Joanne Foreman and Renee Powell.
In 2005 FSA saw great success in Kissimmee, Florida hosting the First Annual Golf Outing coupled with a women’s luncheon for area businesswomen. Businesswoman Afnan Al-Shuaiby, of the US Saudi Business Council, provided valuable insights for professionals in several different mediums. Her words spurred on several conversations amongst the guests. In a silent auction to benefit the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund, several pieces of Saudi jewelry were auctioned off raising thousands of dollars for the national relief campaign.
FSA is anticipating a year of success with yet another sports diplomacy initiative. These gatherings provide opportunities for developing understanding, friendships, mutual cooperation as well as business potential.
If you are interested in playing in the Friendship Invitational, or would like to attend the event and/or forums, please email info@fsaus.org or call 202.558.7504.
Event Details:
2007 Universal Express Friendship Invitational Women's Pro-Am & Forum
Date: April 15-17, 2007
Time: Detailed schedule found at: http://www.fsaus.org/FriendshipInvitational/press.htm
Where: Ginn Reunion Resort -1000 Reunion Way - Reunion, Florida 34747
About FSA
Events hosted by FSA serve as a tool for nurturing dialogue, debate, alliance building and networking opportunities between people of diverse backgrounds with hopes to dispel misconceptions, establish friendships, and inspire global understanding and exchange. Friends of Saudi Arabia aims to promote better “people to people” understanding as well as bridging social and cultural gaps.
Friends of Saudi Arabia is an apolitical, secular, educational, non-profit organization serving to build bridges of goodwill and understanding between Saudi Arabia and the international community. For more information about FSA visit www.fsaus.org.