40 in 40 Day #21

Day #21 Joumana Rizk is a woman who giggles when you compliment her, praise her or list her large body of work and accomplishments. She is humble in certain arenas and yet her passion has been the theater. As a child she would create plays and when she was sent to school she would organize the other students and Joumana would become the Theater Director. The school she attended had no formal department for drama so Joumana did what she does best, she created the structure to assure there would be productions. Little did she know that she was in training to produce worldwide events as an adult.
Ms. Rizk was born in Lebanon amid the conflict of the country and the conflict of her family. As a child she noticed the philanthropic work that her mother took part in and paid close attention to the work her father was creating, the infrastructure of their country. Both parent's interests and skills would come together in Joumana, shaping her life path and great ability to develop programs that make a huge difference in the world.
At the age of 14, Joumana was moved to the United States with her parents. Guilt would surface years later when Joumana thought about her homeland and what she had left behind when she departed Lebanon. This led her to take her skills she had developed through her training with Debbie Ford (see entry #2) back to Lebanon to lead the first Shadow Process in that country. Joumana has led workshops that explore the shadow in New York and Lebanon. Her dedication to peace and conflict resolution was born, according to her, from the conflict she saw around her as she grew. She knew there was a better way and when her frustration with her career in the theater led her to the work of Debbie Ford, she had a spiritual awakening that continues to this day.
Not one to take the middle road, Joumana Rizk went from an avowed atheist to becoming a representative of Amma (NGO M.A. Math) at the United Nations. Amma is a Hindu religious leader who some believe to be a present-day saint.  Joumana has taken her role seriously as she embraces the teachings of this very holy woman.
Continually striving to bring peace to the chaos of the world and the individual, Joumana has recently launched Peacelights, an organization dedicated to changing cultural shadows through personal transformation, arts and media projects, and leadership development. Her list of achievements and involvement in charitable events, organizations and development is extensive. She will not tell you all that she does unless she feels she can somehow help you. Joumana Rizk embodies the aspects of WOMCD. She dreams, loves and changes her world to make it work again. Her actions result in a better place for each of us. Now and in the future.
Action Taken: Action and movement is what this gifted woman carries into every area of her life.
You may reach Joumana at info@peacelights.org  Peacelights is currently planning two great events for Peace Day, which is September 21st. They are looking for individuals who would like to take the word of peace to the streets on the 21st (or any day:).