Project Independence

Lynn Dunning , President of Soroptimist International

Lynn Dunning of Darwen, Lancashire, England, is International President of Soroptimist International. She is a member of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland.

Lynn, a member of Soroptimist International of Ramsbottom, South Lancashire for 20 years, has served Soroptimist in roles such as Chair of the Constitution Committee, Chair of the Retailing Committee and Chair of the Federation Conference Committee. She served as Federation President from 2001-02, Soroptimist International President Elect from 2003-05 and took up her term of office as International President in August 2005.

Lynn is Head Teacher in a large high school in Darwen, Lancashire. On completing her Bachelor of Arts degree, Lynn began her teaching career in Bury, teaching English, Geography and Social Education. She is a qualified School Inspector and has obtained a National Professional Qualification for Headship.

Lynn is a supporter of UNICEF, Anti-Slavery International, The Fawcett Society, and World Wide Fund for Nature and Amnesty International. She lives on a smallholding and enjoys carriage driving and horse riding.

Dawn Marie Lemonds, Soroptimist International Quadrennial Project Liason

Dawn Marie Lemonds of Tustin, California, is the Soroptimist International Quadrennial Project Liason, 2003 - 2007. She is a member of Soroptimist International of the Americas.

Lemonds, a member of Soroptimist International of Newport Harbor, California, has served Soroptimist in various capacities since joining in 1982, including federation director; Desert Coast Region Governor; and Club President. In addition to her commitment at the club level, Lemonds serves on the organization's international Program Council.

An employee of the state of California for more than 30 years, Lemonds serves as the director of the South Coast Regional Project, which finds and coordinates services for people who are developmentally disabled and are leaving the state institution. She earned a master's degree in special education from California State University, Fullerton, and a Bachelor's in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine. She is an active volunteer with Race for the Cure, Vice Chair of American Association for Mental Retardation, Region II, and Board member of the Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter.

If you have questions about Project Indpendence, you can contact Dawn Marie at dawnmarie.lemonds@gmail.com.

Zainab Salbi, President and Founder of Women for Women International

Zainab Salbi is the founder and president of Women for Women International, a
non-profit that provides women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty into self-sufficient and active citizens who promote and protect peace and stability. While starting her work in Croatia and Bosnia, Zainab soon expanded the organization's effort to Rwanda, Kosovo, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Colombia. Women for Women International managed to send nine million dollars in aid and loans to women beneficiaries.

In 1995, President Clinton honored the organization for its accomplishments in Bosnia. Salbi has written and spoken extensively on the role of women in war and post-conflict situations; her work has been featured in both television and print. She holds a BA in Sociology and Women's Studies from George Mason University and a Masters Degree in Economics and Development Studies from the London School of Economics.