10.17.2006 - 05:46pm ET

(CSRwire)
Launches in Washington D.C. October 17; Opens in San Francisco November 6

WASHINGTON D.C. AND SAN FRANCISCO-Representing one-quarter of the world's population, women in Asia are assuming a multitude of leadership roles and overcoming barriers such as illiteracy, poverty, violence and discrimination. Today, in recognition of the important achievements of Asian women leaders, The Asia Foundation launched Portraits of Leadership: Women Changing the Face of Asia -- an exhibition of short stories and photographs of trailblazing women who have made significant contributions in Asian politics, law, business, media, education, and the arts. The exhibition is open to the public at the historic Union Station in Washington, D.C. and will travel to San Francisco's One Market building in November.

From the first and only female Muslim lawyer in Nepal to an Emmy nominated, 19-year- old Afghan video journalist, eleven women are profiled "at work" through short narratives and large-scale color photographs, shot by a team of fine art and editorial photographers.

"Portraits of Leadership depicts some of the courageous Asian women leaders that the Foundation is proud to have supported," said Carol Yost, director of The Asia Foundation's Women's Empowerment Program. "All of the women, regardless of their age, vocation, or nationality are united in their commitment to increasing opportunities for women."

In conjunction with the exhibition, a related panel discussion will be held in Washington, D.C. at the Carnegie Building on October 18, featuring profiled women political leaders from Cambodia, Korea, and Thailand.

"In order to accelerate progress, our programs enable women to share lessons learned and build networks that transcend borders," adds Yost. "We are pleased to share these remarkable stories that we hope will both educate and inspire Americans about how Asian women leaders are helping to build societies committed to equal rights for all citizens, women and men."

Portraits of Leadership will visit Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington D.C., October 17 to October 29, 2006; The Concourse at One Market, One Market Street, San Francisco, California, November 6 to November 20, 2006. The exhibition is free to the public, and is partially funded through a donation from Chevron.

About The Women's Empowerment Program

For more than half a century, The Asia Foundation has been a leader in helping women in Asia to realize their potential. The Foundation's Women's Empowerment Program develops women's leadership, strengthens women's organizations, increases women's rights and ensures their personal security, and creates new political and economic opportunities for women across the Asia-Pacific region. The Asia Foundation is committed to a world where women have the means to help themselves and the voice to make a difference.

About The Asia Foundation

The Asia Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region. The Foundation supports programs in Asia that help improve governance and law, economic reform and development, women's empowerment, and international relations. Drawing on 50 years of experience in Asia, the Foundation collaborates with private and public partners to support leadership and institutional development, exchanges, and policy research.

With a network of 18 offices throughout Asia, an office in Washington, D.C., and its headquarters in San Francisco, the Foundation addresses these issues on both a country and regional level. In 2005, the Foundation provided more than $61 million in program support and distributed 1.1 million books and educational materials valued at $28 million throughout Asia.

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