Words of Women contest opens

The 2011 Words of Women International Herstory Project and Essay Contest officially began on Thursday, Aug. 26, according to Christine Jarosz, executive director of the Women’s Communities Association which sponsors the contest.
Women from around the world are invited “to tell our stories and the stories of our mothers, grandmothers, sisters and daughters to inspire to empower, to chronicle and to build bridges.”
Deadline for entries is Dec. 31, and the awards ceremony will be held in March.
Those wishing to enter should choose one of two topics — “The most influential woman in my life” or “The most significant thing that happened to women this year” — and write an essay of 500 words or less. Essays must be typed and double-spaced, with the writer’s name, address, phone number and e-mail address, along with the entrant’s age category — youth, maiden, mother, wisewoman.
Entries and a $5 registration fee mailed to Words of Women, P.O. Box 180777, Dallas, Texas 75218. Or entries and registration both can be mailed to that address.
For more information and guidelines, go online to WordsOfWomen.org.

Salon holds LifeWalk fundraiser

Lenoir Salon, in partnership with AIDS Arms Inc., will host ”Cocktails and Conversations for a Cause” on Wednesday, Sept. 8, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at ilume, 4123 Cedar Springs Road. Proceeds will benefit AIDS Arms.
The event will feature complimentary cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and giveaways. Prizes include a hotel getaway, dinner for two, a deluxe facial, a glamour make-over and photo shoot and more.
There will also be HIV/AIDS prevention and education materials available.
Lenoir Salon, founded by Tim Lenoir, is located inside Salon Republic at 14999 Preston Road. For more information about donations and tickets to “Cocktails and Conversations for a Cause,” call 214-734-6093.
Staff members and clients of Lenoir Salon will also participate in the 20th Annual LifeWalk on Oct, 10, with a goal of raising $5,000. For more information, go online to LifeWalk.org.

‘Gay’ther Homecoming set at CoH

The Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ and Art for Peace & Justice will host an array of lesbian and gay musicians and their friends for the first annual “Gay”ther Homecoming, modeled after the popular Gaither Homecoming events, on Sept. 18 at Cathedral of Hope, 5910 Cedar Springs Road.
The evening’s proceeds will benefit the Interfaith Peace Chapel. Tickets are $15 for general admission and are available at H4PJ.org.