A Santa Monica woman who recently returned from Baghdad will be on hand this weekend to talk about her experience and the impacts of war will have on Iraqi women and children Kelly Hayes-Raitt, a commissioner for the Santa Monica Commission on the Status of Women, visited Iraq the first week of February to meet with Iraqi women and bring home their perspectives on impending war.
Palisadians for Peace and the League of Women Voters host Xandra Kayden from the National League of Women Voters, and Hayes-Raitt, who will address community members about the impact of war on women.
The event will be at Pacific Palisades Library, located at 861 Alma Real Dr. in Pacific Palisades on Saturday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Photos Hayes-Raitt took of the women and children with whom she spoke may be previewed at www.communitycampaigns.com/iraq.
“I was struck by how open and friendly the women were,” she said. “They approached us on the street and implored us for fight for peace. The mood on the street really changed after President Bush’s ‘the games are over’ speech. I can’t imagine what it’s like today.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 20, 2003. Read the original PDF.