Deborah Stoute Lynch, President of the Organization of Women of the Americas (OWA), and its Board of Directors, warmly welcome all those who enter this virtual space to discover who we are and what we do.

The page will provide you with information about our Organization and the various cultural and social activities that we organize to raise funds to support the work of charitable organizations and programs that address the problems faced by women and children in the Americas.

 

About Us
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The OWA, a non-profit, charitable organization operated under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, was founded in 1997. Its members comprise lady Ambassadors, accredited to the Organization of American States (OAS) as Permanent Representatives or Observers, the wives of Ambassadors, who are Permanent Representatives and Observers to the OAS, Alternates, wives of Alternates, the wife of the Secretary General, the wife of the Assistant Secretary General; as well as associate members.

The principal objectives of the OWA are to sensitize the public on the needs and problems of women and children in the Americas, to strengthen the ties between member countries of the OAS; and to unite the diplomatic community and citizens of the Americas who live in the metropolitan area of Washington D.C., with a view to organizing and promoting fund-raising and other activities that assist institutions and programs that promote the well-being of women and children in the Region. OWA also seeks to showcase the cultures of the member countries of the OAS.

Since it was founded, the OWA has made contributions to numerous organizations, including the Oncology Section of the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.; the Caribbean American Intercultural Organization; the OAS program to help landmine victims in Central America; the “Casa Rosada” home for children with AIDS in the Dominican Republic; Programs of Mother Theresa of Calcutta’s Missionaries of Charity in Washington, D.C.; the Arc en Ciel Orphanage in Haiti; the “Mundo Mejor” Foundation in Colombia; and the Sisters of Mother Theresa in Peru.

One of its main fund-raising events is the Food Festival of the Americas which is held on the grounds of the OAS in the spring. The Festival showcases the cuisines, music, dance and other performances from among the countries of Latin America, the Caribbean and Observer members of the OAS.

Another important activity is the Gala, which takes place in November. For this event, as in the case of the Food Festival of the Americas, the OWA relies on its valuable partnership with the Permanent and Observer Missions to the OAS as well as the generous support of many individuals and corporate entities.

          
 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2021-2022)

  President Deborah Stoute Lynch (Barbados)
  First Vice President  Caitlin Hurley de Santi (Italy)
  Second Vice President Stefano Sciolli (Guatemala)
  Recording Secretary Vacant
  Corresponding Secretary Nathali Greenidge (Barbados)
  Treasurer Dinora Escalante (El Salvador)
  Deputy Treasurer Vacant
  Honorary President Elvira Mendez (Spouse of Assistant Secretary General)
     
  Advisors  
  Charmaine Ramdin Spouse of former Ambassador of Suriname to the Organization of American States
  Dayana Urena Alternate Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic

 

Communiqué No. 02
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DAY OF THE WOMEN OF THE AMERICAS

On this 93rd anniversary of the Inter-American Commission on Women (CIM), the Organization of Women of the Americas (OWA/OMA) joins in commemoration of the 39th Day of the Women of the Americas.

Since its founding in 1997, OWA/OMA has sought to do all in its power to meet the needs of and to provide solutions to the myriad challenges facing women and children in the Americas. The organization has also endeavored to consistently sensitize the public to the nature of these challenges.

Today OWA/OMA pays special tribute to the women of the Americas as the Covid-19 pandemic further highlights existing societal norms that disproportionately affect us - specifically education, employment, parity of wages, unplanned pregnancy and violence.

We also salute the many female leaders and women’s organizations offering different perspectives, approaches and skills to end this global public health crisis. We thank them for their compassion and empathy.

Further we take this opportunity to applaud frontline workers across the Americas – primarily women who themselves are at risk - for their selfless care of those affected by Covid-19.

Deborah Stoute Lynch
President
Organization of Women of the Americas
Washington, D.C.
February 17, 2021

 

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