The WIP is celebrating International Women’s Day Saturday March 5 with an engaging afternoon event at the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) followed by The WIP's Anniversary reception at the Monterey Museum of Art. 

Anne Firth Murray, the Founding President of The Global Fund for Women, will deliver the keynote address. For the past twenty-five years, Firth Murray has worked in the field of philanthropy, serving as a consultant to many foundations. From 1978 to the end of 1987, she directed the environment and international population programs of the Hewlett Foundation in California. Currently, she is a scholar/activist at the Union Institute and a consulting professor in Human Biology at Stanford University.

Firth Murray is the recipient of many awards and honors for her work on women’s health and philanthropy, and in 2005 she was nominated as one of a group of 1,000 women for the Nobel Peace Prize. She is the author of two books, Paradigm Found: Leading and Managing for Positive Change and From Outrage to Courage: Women Taking Action for Health and Justice.

In addition to Anne Firth Murray, Giulia McPherson, Advocacy Alliances Manager for CARE USA, will speak on Investing in women and girls to break the cycle of poverty and Esther Peralez-Dieckmann of the Santa Clara County Office of Women’s Policy will discuss the integration of women and girls into the new green economy.

The celebration begins at 4 pm with an informational fair and reception, followed by speaker presentations and the keynote address from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. General admission is $15. Students with valid I.D. may purchase a ticket for $5. Additional tickets can be purchased for The WIP's Anniversary reception at the Monterey Museum of Art for $35. Space is limited. For more information please email events@thewip.net or call The WIP’s office at 831-644-0116. 

Anne Firth Murray’s books will be for sale before and after the program.