The 17th Annual San Jose Baha’i Community Service Awards Banquet was more than just dinner and speeches. Participants walked away with information that kept them talking well after the tables were cleared.

The topic of the evening: Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men, was a delicate one indeed, but everyone who touched the subject handled it with care.After an opening prayer by Nora Gullet-Hickman, a Santa Clara Baha’i Community member, banquet guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner while listening to violinist Yakov Stanislavsky and accordian/piano player Boris Shor. The two played so beautifully, you felt you were in another country.

Then came the keynote speaker Layli Miller Bashir, who spoke about the past and present situation of equality among women.

"The human being is like a bird; if both wings are not strong it can not soar to its capacity," Miller Bashir said.

According to Miller Bashir, one way for women to achieve equality is through education, an important principle of the Baha’i faith. "Consultation and education are two tools of achieving equality."

She also gave some disturbing statistics about women who had been raped and who have died from domestic violence.

Miller Bashir, an associate at Arnold & Porter Law Firm in Virginia, is founder of Tahirin Justice Center and co-author of Do They Hear You When You Cry?, a book written as a result of the relationship between Ms. Bashir, as legal advocate, and Fauziya Kasinga, Togo refugee seeking asylum to escape female genital mutilation.

Following her moving speech was San Jose Baha’i artist Vern Allie who encouraged the audience to give him ideas for sculptures.

Then it was time to introduce the award recipients. Carol Fitting, president, American Association of University Women (A.A.U.W) San Jose Branch, accepted the award for her organization.

"The main focus of our organization is education and equality for women and girls," Fitting said.

"One of our goals is to be a diversified organization."

A.A.U.W San Jose Branch allowed men to join their organization 1987.

"One thing I like about A.A.U.W is that it helps all people be all that they can be," said Assemblywoman Elaine Alquist of Santa Clara.

The final award went to Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara County.

"When we opened our doors to girls, the point was to bring them in," said Adolph Lopez, executive director.

The youngest of 12 children, eight of whom are girls, Lopez said he learned quickly about equality. The organization opened its doors to girls in 1991.

Both organization’s received a sculpture made by Allie of a man and woman. This year’s San Jose Baha’i Awards Banquet was an inspiration to everyone who attended.

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