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WHEREAS, under the Taliban, Afghan women and girls were denied the right to education and work; and,
WHEREAS, fighting for women's rights in Afghanistan is still a dangerous proposition and,
WHEREAS, the Asian Culture Club of the Ellis School under the leadership of Shanti Singh ,was made aware of the situation when former chemist and human rights activist, Fahima Vorgetts, addressed the girls at an assembly two years ago, relating that young Afghan women huddled under dusty tents as makeshift classrooms; and,
WHEREAS, Ellis School Juniors Alana Rudkin and Danielle Tomson and Seniors Shanti Singh and Kirsten Spittel brought awareness to the women of the Ellis School about the plight of girls and women of Afghanistan who risk their lives and sacrifice so much to get an education; and,
WHEREAS, Alana Rudkin, Danielle Tomson, Shanti Singh and Kirsten Spittel, under the banner of the Asian Culture Club, have undertaken the enormous task to build a Girl's Middle School called Saleh Abad, in the Herat Province of Afghanistan and through sales of Afghan items , crafts and food and a Tea for Two fundraiser have raised in excess of $11,000 to date for construction; and,
WHEREAS, Alana Rudkin, Danielle Tomson, Shanti Singh and Kirsten Spittel have demonstrated their deep concern for their fellow female students in Afghanistan and led by example to show the value of an education for women; and,
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize Alana Rudkin and Danielle Tomson for their leadership of the Saleh Abad Sister School Project and for their remarkable efforts to help the girls of Afghanistan receive an education through the construction of a school and a community center and declares December 5, 2006, to be "Alana Rudkin, Danielle Tomson, Shanti Singh and Kirsten Spittel Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.