UW-Green Bay to hold run for Congo women

Rape. Mutilation. Torture. According to Women for Women International, these are daily events in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Students at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay are joining the effort to help those women recover and reclaim their lives.

On Saturday, Oct. 23, students will host a run for Congolese women. The event coincides with the annual Make a Difference Day. Registration for the run will be at 9 a.m. at the Clouds Commons inside the University Union on the UW-Green Bay campus, 2420 Nicolet Drive.

The event was inspired by the story of Lisa Shannon. She was so moved by the plight of women halfway across the world that she started her own foundation to help.

Shannon, who founded Run for Congo Women, will speak about her experiences at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at the Christie Theatre in the University Union.

Shannon, a professional photographer, was not a runner when she started the organization. But after learning about the situation in the Congo on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Shannon ran a 30-mile solo run in Portland, Ore. to raise money for Women for Women International. She raised more than $28,000 on the run.

Since then, Run for Congo Women has become a global movement and has raised more than $600,000 and sponsored more than 1,400 Congolese women.

Besides giving a public lecture on campus, Shannon will visit two classes at UW-Green Bay. She will not be able to attend the run on campus in October.

Shannon’s lecture is sponsored by the Office of Student Life, the Diversity Task Force, Good Times Programming and the Academic Staff Programming Committee.

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