Celebrate Nelson Mandela Day with Us

Join Us for a Free Showing of "Taking Root"
on Saturday, July 18th, at the Oklahoma Contemporary

Every year on July 18th — the day Nelson Mandela was born -- the UN observes "Nelson Mandela International Day" in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the global culture of peace and freedom.

Queen's Roger Taylor, Leona Lewis, Annie Lennox, and
Brian May join Nelson Mandela and others before the
concert in London's Hyde Park to celebrate his 90th
birthday in 2008. Credit: Getty Images via the Daily Mail

For 67 years Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity — as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker, and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.

In Oklahoma City, we will celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela by screening "Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai." It's a movie that tells the dramatic story of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights, and defend democracy.

New Day Digital says: "Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai captures a world-view in which nothing is perceived as impossible and presents an awe-inspiring, profile of Maathai's unstoppable and courageous thirty-year journey...."

We're presenting this film as part of our OKC observance of Nelson Mandela Day. This event is FREE and open to the public. It is a measure of our chapter's commitment to the values and principles of the United Nations Charter.

Saturday, July 18th -- 2pm
Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center
3000 General Pershing Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK   73107

How the Day Came About

In November 2009, the UN General Assembly declared 18 July as "Nelson Mandela International Day" -- the only international day recognized by the United Nations that is named for an individual person.

In establishing Nelson Mandela Day, the General Assembly was intentional in recognizing Mr. Mandela’s values and his dedication to the service of humanity in the fields of conflict resolution, race relations, the promotion and protection of human rights, reconciliation, gender equality, and the rights of children and the poor.

In many ways, the life of Nelson Mandela is an example of the highest values of the United Nations.

The General Assembly Resolution explicitly acknowledged "...Nelson Mandela’s contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world."

The theme of this year's Mandela Day is Education & Literacy. In a world where knowledge truly is power, education and literacy are the basic building blocks that unlock the gates of opportunity and success.

See our Facebook event page ... https://www.facebook.com/events/410567439150755/

We hope you will add this event to your calendar and join us for our second Annual Mandela Day Film Screening!

See you on Mandela Day ... Bring a Friend!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About "Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai"

From New Day Digital

Countering the devastating cultural effects of colonialism, Wangari Maathai began teaching communities about self-knowledge as a path to change and community action. The women of her Green Belt Movement worked successively against deforestation, poverty, ignorance, embedded economic interests, and violent political oppression. They became a national political force that helped to bring down Kenya's 24-year dictatorship.

Through TV footage and chilling first person accounts, Taking Root documents the dramatic confrontations of the 1980s and '90s, as the women of the Green Belt Movement confront human rights abuses and environmental degradation. Cinema verite footage of the tree nurseries and the women and children who tend them brings to life the confidence and joy of people working to improve their own lives on their terms.

Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai captures a world-view in which nothing is perceived as impossible and presents an awe-inspiring, profile of Maathai's unstoppable and courageous thirty-year journey to protect the environment, defend human rights, and promote democracy.

We're presenting this film as part of our observance of Nelson Mandela Day. It is a measure of our chapter's commitment to the values and principles of the United Nations Charter.

Saturday, July 18th -- 2pm
Oklahoma Contemporary
3000 General Pershing Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK   73107

Admission is free.

We hope to see you on Saturday!