FRIENDS of the Commission on the Status of Women

The Friends of the Commission on the Status of Women (Friends) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1976. We raise awareness and funding for activities and initiatives that support the mission of the Commission on the Status of Women (COSW) and are not funded by the City. To join the Friends, go to http:/www.friendscosw.org/join Our Mission Inspiring an Equal Future: To lead change so that women and girls have equal opportunity and are free from violence Our activities include: • CEDAW Women's Human Rights Awards - the awards luncheon is its signature fundraiser honoring women, men and organizations who embody the principles of the UN Articles of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the international human rights treaty that provides a universal definition of a whole range of issues on women's human rights. • Conversations with Exceptional Women - exchange of ideas with exceptional women from diverse areas of expertise on trending issues and topics that affect women. Events included: - Women in City Leadership Luncheon Honoring Police Chief Heather Fong - Conversation with UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova with Noosheen Hashemi - The Future of Women and Work! - When She Speaks: "You've Come A Long Way, Baby!" - 2011 APEC Women and the Economy Summit convened by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton: ** Women. Create. Change. - A Discussion, Reception, and Film Screening of “Miss Representation” ** Dialogue: Live Simulcast of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Keynote Address ** Luncheon with the White House Council on Women and Girls • Tea & Conversation with San Francisco First Lady Anita Lee (May) "Celebrating 100 Girls Who One Day Will Influence the World" - conversation with 9-12 year-old girls (the Tweens!) sharing their dreams, developing their interest about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), leadership, communication skills and tea etiquette