Sleeping Lady Foundation Sponsors a Benefit Lecture by Greg Mortenson
February 2007
LEAVENWORTH, Wash. (February 25 date, 2007) —Sleeping Lady Foundation is pleased to sponsor a benefit lecture by Greg Mortenson, co-author of the New York Times best-seller, Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission To Promote Peace…One School At A Time. Sleeping Lady Mountain Retreat will host the lecture in the Chapel Theater on April 14, 2007, at 7 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Central Asia Institute.
Selected by both TIME magazine and the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association as 2006 Book of The Year, Three Cups of Tea chronicles one man's effort to promote education, especially for girls, in remote, often volatile regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
In 1993 Mortenson attempted to climb northern Pakistan's K2, the world’s second highest mountain, and the experience changed his life. Separated from his climbing partners on K2, Mortenson was found by a local man who took him to the tiny mountain village of Korphe. Haji Ali, Korphe's village elder, and his wife opened their hearts and home to Mortenson. When he asked what he could give Haji Ali in return, Ali said he could build a school for the village.
Since then, Mortenson has helped establish over 58 schools through his non-profit Central Asia Institute (CAI.) Today, CAI provides education for over 24,000 children, including 14,000 girls, in an area where children – especially females – previously had few educational opportunities.
Considered a hero by rural Afghans and Pakistani, he has gained the trust of Islamic leaders and tribal chiefs for his tireless efforts to champion education.
NBC newscaster Tom Brokaw calls Mortenson “one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, who is really changing the world.”
U. S. Representative Mary Bono (CA) calls Mortenson "a true American hero, whose creativity, courage and compassion exemplify the true ideals of the American spirit."
Al Neuharth, founder of USA Today, says, "Mortenson doesn't just climb mountains. He moves them, and through his dedication and determination, he's given hope to thousands of children in a region in turmoil.”
Guests can join Greg Mortenson for a special benefit dinner in the Kingfisher Dining Lodge at 5:00 p.m. Dinner tickets, which include a gourmet dinner, entry to the lecture, and a chance to meet Mr. Mortenson in person, are limited. Cost is $100 per person. Proceeds from the dinner will also benefit CAI. Tickets to the presentation only are $20 for adults and $15 for students and senior citizens.
Mr. Mortenson has graciously agreed to a book signing after the lecture. The Leavenworth bookstore, A Book for All Seasons, will donate 10% of book sales to CAI. For more information visit www.sleepinglady.com, or email info@sleepinglady.com. To reserve your seat, please call 1-800-574-2123.
