Subscribe
FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq — Spartan Soldiers recently recognized several Ninewa province women for their business endeavors during a luncheon at Forward Operating Base Marez.
These women, some of whom are widows due to insurgency attacks, have stepped up with help from the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and the Provincial Reconstruction Team, to form several businesses with the intent of improving Iraq's economic status and to increase women's role in the country's financial and political development.
Through hands-on training, such as marketing, and mentoring from American, female entrepreneurs, these ladies have been able to establish lucrative laundries, bridal, sewing and pastry shops, and other businesses throughout the Ninewa province.
The ultimate goal, is to help create self-reliant, financially viable women's associations across the province. The U.S. State Department, through the Quick Response Funds program, helps them to prepare sound business plans through training.
The entrepreneurs, excited by their contributions to the Iraqi economy, expressed thanks to Spartan Soldiers and the PRT.
"I would like to personally thank Col. Sexton and his Soldiers as well as the PRT for helping us with our businesses" said the president of Faith for Widows and Orphans. "During the regime, women across Iraq, especially here in the Ninewa province, suffered a lot. The terrorists killed our husbands, our families.
"It is wonderful to be able to start businesses, make money to provide for our families, as well as giving job opportunities," she said.
Col. Charles E. A. Sexton, 2BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., commander, said when his brigade was requested to help jump start the women's organizations, he consulted his most trusted adviser — his wife.
"I asked my wife what she thought of this project. She responded, 'Do it!' and I took her advice. I think the bond my wife and I have built from 28 years of partnership represents what is to become in Iraq — both men and women working together to build a life and a strong economic base for the people of this country," said Sexton.
W. Patrick Murphy, PRT Ninewa team leader, said rewarding these ladies was definitely a pleasure.
"Today is a great day for women in Iraq and women around the world. Hopefully they will take all the training they have received and use it to train more women and members of the community, empowering themselves and Iraq simultaneously," said Murphy.
Capt. Lea Lato, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., commander said what these women are doing is outstanding.
"These ladies have overcome tremendous adversity. Being they are from a society where there are very limited roles for women to play in the economy, what they are doing is excellent and courageous.
"As a woman also in a leadership role, I was honored to be there, supporting the women's achievements and representing our brigade's involvement," Murphy said later about the luncheon.
Future plans for the brigade and PRT include training another 25 women's associations in business and strategic planning, forming a network of women's associations across Ninewa and creating sister organizations with like-minded associations in the United States.
| Date Taken: | 02.11.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.11.2010 16:43 |
| Story ID: | 45234 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, IQ |
| Web Views: | 182 |
| Downloads: | 166 |
This work, Spartan Soldiers recognize innovative Ninewa businesswomen, by SPC Crystal M. Bradley, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
