For Immediate Release
August 20, 2021
Jacklyn Washington
comms@cwfa.org |202-748-3501
Concerned Women for America Coordinates Prayer Vigil at White House Condemning Abandonment of Americans, Women, and Children in Afghanistan
Washington, D.C. – The nation’s largest public policy women’s organization, Concerned Women for America, will gather a coalition of faithful female leaders on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, outside of the White House in Washington, D.C., to pray for the ongoing human rights crisis unfolding in Afghanistan.
WHO: Speakers include:
- Penny Nance, Concerned Women for America CEO and President
- Charlotte Ponticelli, Former Senior Coordinator for International Women’s Issues at the U.S. Department of State, Member of U.S. Afghan Women’s Council and American Council on Women, Peace, and Security.
- Mercedes Schlapp, American Conservative Union Foundation Senior Fellow
- Mariam Ibrahim, Sudanese Religious Freedom Activist, arrested and sentenced to death for her Christian faith
- Andrea Bottner, former U.S. Department of State Director for the Office of International Women’s Issues and Senior Advisor, Independent Women’s Forum
- Alyssa Farah, visiting fellow with Independent Women’s Forum & former White House Communications Director and United States Department of Defense Press Secretary
- Tina Whittington, Executive Vice President, Students for Life
- Jenna Ellis, Host, Just The Truth at Real America’s Voice News
WHAT: Prayer Vigil for Stranded Americans and Afghani Women and Children
WHERE: Lafayette Square in front of the White House
WHEN: Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. EST
WHY: To lift up the innocent in prayer and demand the White House protect the innocent. The focus of the prayer vigil/press conference will be to demand the rescue and protection of Americans stuck in Afghanistan and safety for Afghan women and children, particularly dependents of our allies. Concerned Women for America CEO and President, Penny Nance provided the following statement:
“The footage and testimonials out of Afghanistan are horrific. Americans are stuck and women and children are in crisis. Interpreters who worked with us are being tortured to death, Afghani women are pleading for rescue from the Taliban, burning anything that shows their accomplishments, and handing their babies over razor wire to British soldiers out of despair. Women and young girls in Afghanistan will now be forced into a life of oppression. They will face brutal violations of their most fundamental rights and face death, sex slavery, and other grim situations at the hand of the Taliban. Leaving those who worked alongside U.S. troops for the last 20 years behind to face life under the Taliban is surely a death sentence. We must find a humanitarian solution that ensures the safety of women and children while ensuring that America is kept safe. We are witnessing the worst crisis and failure of foreign policy leadership in recent history. Concerned Women for America has a long history of working to protect women and children with a deep focus on religious freedom, educational opportunities, true empowerment and opportunities, and a commitment to ending sexual exploitation. We will not look away. The world is watching, and we will be praying for a miracle to save lives. The Biden Administration’s abrupt departure strategy will impact America’s reputation and safety for generations to come.
Media are invited to attend and asked to RSVP to Jacklyn Washington at comms@cwfa.org. A mult. box will be made available for approved media personnel.
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