wfn.org | AFSC: Bosnian Women Speak Out

[RByler@afsc.org]

For Immediate Release
May 5, 1997

Contact:  Aishah Shahidah Simmons (215/241-7056) or J. Ron Byler 215/241-7060)

Bosnian Women Refugees Speak Out Against War Crimes and Prospects for Peace
in Yugoslavia

PHILADELPHIA - The East-West program of the American Friends Service
Committee (AFSC) will bring the testimonies and experiences of Bosnian women
to Philadelphia on Wednesday, May 14, 1997, from 6:00PM until 8:00PM at the
Friends Center, 1501 Cherry Street. 
	I Remember: Writings by Bosnian Women Refugees is a collection of memoirs
of survival, hope, and struggle edited by Radmila (Rada) Zarkovic.  The
testimonies, poetry and drawings were nurtured and gathered over a year by
Rada in refugee camps just outside Belgrade, Serbia.  Rada and Jadranka
Milecevic, her colleague and contributor to I Remember began the project by
marketing handmade crocheted, knitted, and embroidered pieces to find money
for the women refugees.  Its purpose is to encourage and give hope to other
women refugees by challenging them to draw on their humanity as a resource
against despair caused by a war they never wanted. 
	"Though centuries older than in the United States racial conflict, the
situation in Bosnia is part of a global crisis in which humans are
struggling for their individual and collective rights.  With struggle, comes
strength, and the contributions of these Bosnian women can help strengthen
our hope," said Carolyn Matthews of AFSC.
	A lawyer who worked in the culturally diverse city of Tuzla, prior to the
war, Rada and her two daughters have the status of refugee in Belgrade, but
she does not identify themselves in this way.  Rada and Jadranka live in
Belgrade and work for the feminist anti-war group Women in Black, the only
women's group that consistently took 
to the streets to protest the war, militarism, ethnic cleansing, rape of
women, and sexism in the former Yugoslavia.
	"Rada and Jadranka's presence in Philadelphia is a part of the work the
East-West program has been doing with anti-war groups for more than four
years throughout the former Yugoslavia," said Carolyn Matthews.
	Each entry of I Remember is in four languages (English, Spanish, Italian,
Croatian).  There are only 50 original copies of the book.  In accordance
with the wishes of the women who produced the original book by hand, Aunte
Lute Books, the American publisher, tried to stay true to its design to
maintain its quality of hand production and agelessness.
	Carolyn Matthews and her colleagues Michael Simmons, national coordinator
of the East-West program, and Judit Hatfaludi, AFSC's Central European
Affairs Representative in Budapest, Hungary, have worked on several projects
including exchanges between African American civil rights activists and Roma
(Gypsies) activists, humanitarian aid to refugees in the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia (Serbia), working with anti-war groups in the former Yugoslavia
and establishing the AFSC Balkan Relief Fund.  
	Rada and Jadranka will be in the United States to promote I Remember,
discuss the present situation for war refugees, and the status of the
"peace" accords.  
	I Remember will be available for purchase and there will be a craft sale
featuring hand made slippers, bracelets, and pot holders.  Proceeds from the
sale will benefit women refugees in Bosnia and Women in Black.
	If you would like to schedule an interview with Radmila Zarkovic, Jadranka
Milicevic or Carolyn Matthews, on May 14, please contact Aishah Shahidah
Simmons at 215/241-7056.  Media coverage of the event is invited.
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The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization which
includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace
and humanitarian service.  Its work is based on the Quaker belief in the
worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence
and injustice.
J.Ron Byler
Director of Media Relations
American Friends Service Committee
PH: 215/241-7060
FAX: 215/241-7275
E-MAIL: RByler@afsc.org
http://www.afsc.org