On the ground at the African First Ladies Health Summit
I’m excited to report from the Leadership for Health Summit, where 15 African First Ladies and their delegations are in LA to share their challenges, successes and hopes for their countries. One of the main themes of the Summit is the importance of country-owned leadership and support partnered with sustainable international partnerships and resources. The summit emphasizes the important role the First Ladies can play in linking the communities to the policy recommendations therefore encouraging grassroots progress. There was across-the-board recognition of the challenge of making progress in maternal mortality and the role First ladies can play in raising the profile of this issue on the international development agenda so that successes can be realized. First Ladies were also advised to move away from pet projects and start to approach development concerns in a more comprehensive manner to encourage sustainable interventions.
During the “Tackling HIV/AIDS and Malaria” panel Monday afternoon, Samuel Adenyi-Jones (Director of the Office of Global Health Affairs and African Affairs for the US Department of Health and Human Services) and Steven Philips (Medical Director for ExxonMobil’s Global Issues and Projects) offered specific examples of when local leadership was critical to increasing awareness and inspiring behavior change. Dr Phillips mentioned how former Nigerian president Obasanjo’s public HIV/AIDS test in 2006 helped to open dialogue and work towards decreasing the taboo of testing throughout the country. Jones shared that the Society of Women and AIDS was created due to the persistence and commitment of several African First Ladies. They both thanked the First Ladies for their leadership and reiterated that they have the power to use their position and voice to reach every village.
In the Maternal Health panel, family planning was a strong theme and Dr. Eunice Brookman-Amissah, former Minister of Health, Ghana, and Vice President, IPAS, Africa Alliance, lamented the low use of contraception on the continent which is linked to the 5.5 million unsafe abortions a year responsible for 40% of maternal deaths in Africa. She also emphasized the importance of legalizing abortions as part of a comprehensive health strategy as this could help prevent up to 30% of maternal deaths. Other panelists stressed the importance of leadership once again, and particularly the First Ladies position as role models in encouraging social and behavioral changes, encouraging delayed marriages and delayed first births that could positively impact maternal health.
More to come!
-Margaret McDonnell and Edith Jibunoh
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April 22, 2009 at 4:34 pm
For Immediate Release
April 22, 2009
Philadelphia DA Lynne Abraham Join Paul “Earthquake” Moore AND STATE BURNER MOTORCYCLE CLUB and “JAG#EXPANSION GROUP “at the 8th Annual Skating Party and Motorcycle Ride for Peace
Southwest Philadelphia activist, Paul “Earthquake” Moore, has once again teamed with top dignitaries in Pennsylvania and the surrounding regions to promote a weekend of peace and unity in honor of slain police officers, especially Philadelphia Police and Officers a round the State,S killed in the line of duty
The 8th Annual Weekend of Peace and Unity Skating Party and Motorcycle Ride for Peace, begins May 15 , 2009, at the Elmwood Skating Rink, 71st Street and Elmwood Avenue where skaters are invited from 5-7:30 p.m.
The Motorcycle Ride for Peace, begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2007 at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue. Riders, including Abraham,scheduled to help kick off the ride, will line up and motorcycle North on Broad Street to Cheltenham Avenue. Once there, bikers will turn around and motorcade back to the stadium area. A reception will follow the ride at the State Burners’ Motorcycle Club House, on Woodland Avenue, near 52nd Street in Southwest Philadelphia.
The skating party is designed for kids and parents to spend quality time together. Children from all over Philadelphia and the surrounding areas are expected to participate. There is a $7 donation to enter the rink, but for less fortunate kids, entrance if free.
A wreath will be on display as well as the urn of an unidentified youth shot in a senseless act of violence. Moore hopes that these bold reminders will make children and young adults see what can happen to them if they choose to behave violently.
“This wreath and urn will symbolize racial harmony and peace among all of us,” said Moore. “But I want children and young adults to see that this is what can happen to you. This is how you can end up. So parents, it’s time to take control of your children, be accountable, take responsibility, and be the parent you’re supposed to be.”
The motorcycle ride is the eighth for Abraham, who will make the trip on the back of a motorcycle of a member of the State Burners Motorcycle Club, whose riders will escort her and join other motorcycle clubs and enthusiasts in the tri-state area. Moore said Abraham is always willing to lend a hand to promote any of his activities that helps curb violence in Philadelphia. However the entire weekend is a tribute to slain Philadelphia police officers and their families. Their deaths and those of other Philadelphia citizens, are grim reminders to all Philadelphians who want gun violence to end.
For more information about the weekend’s events, or donation, please contact at
PO Box 5323 Phila Pa 19142 Or Write earth_quake1@hotmail
May 13, 2010 at 3:34 pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 13, 2010
Paul “Earthquake” Moore’s 11th Annual Weekend of Peace
and Gospelrama for Peace
Starts May 14, 2010
Peace will be the major theme when area motorcyclists and special guests once again join Paul “Earthquake” Moore for his 11th annual Weekend of Peace and Gospelrama for Peace on May 14 and 15.
The activities begin on Friday, May 14, 2010, with an entertaining Gospelrama from 8-11 p.m. at the Elmwood Skating Rink, 71st Street and Elmwood Avenue. The following morning at 11 a.m., members of the State Burners Motorcycle Club joined by Philadelphia Deputy Police Commissioner Stephen Johnson and other special guests will line up at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue for a symbolic trek down North Broad Street to Cheltenham Avenue. The idea is to cover one end of Philadelphia to the other in a quest for peace.
Once the bikers reach Cheltenham Avenue, the group will turn around and motorcade back to the stadium area. A reception will follow the ride at the State Burners’ Motorcycle Club House, in the 5200 block of Woodland Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia. Bikers from throughout the Greater Philadelphia area are expected to participate.
Both the Gospelrama party and the motorcycle ride are tributes to slain Philadelphia police officers and their families. Their deaths and those of other Philadelphia citizens, are grim reminders to all who want gun violence to end. In addition, a wreath will be on display at the skating rink along with the urn of an anonymous person killed in a senseless act of violence. Moore said he hoped that these bold reminders will make children and young adults see what can happen if they choose to behave violently.A donation will be collected upon entrance to the Elmwood Skating Rink, but for less fortunate kids, entrance if free.
For more information about the weekend’s events or to donate, please contact Paul “Earthquake” Moore at P.O. Box 5323, Phila., PA 19142, phone him at (215) 385-2696