Eleven women will arrive here today to begin two days of leadership training workshops Thursday and Friday.

        Marianne Crotty, director of international programs for the International Visitors Council (IVC) of Greater Cincinnati, said the women represent grass-roots organizations, professional groups, legislators and minority culture in their respective countries. IVC organized the workshops.

        “This is a program the U.S. State Department started after the 9-11 tragedy to promote a better understanding of Muslim women,” said Ms. Crotty. “Cincinnati was chosen because we have always had strong programming in international affairs.”

        The workshops will be held at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, 8092 Plantation Drive, West Chester.

        Dr. Nehad Ahmed of BridgePoint Consulting Services and Janet Reid of Global Lead Management Consulting Services will lead the workshops.

        Ms. Crotty said the training will seek to identify major issues that affect the advancement of women of all minority groups.

        “They will deal with such things as personal awareness and relationships in the workplace, how women can communicate in a work environment and problem solving,” Ms. Crotty said.

        She said there will be a roundtable discussion on social issues involving Dr. Ahmed along with Dr. Danya Karram, Dr. Zahida Kaukab and Shakeila Ahmed.

        The women will be taken on the Underground Railroad tour Saturday and treated to a picnic Sunday.

        Ms. Crotty said the women represent young, emerging leaders from Chad, Gambia, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.

        IVC is a nonprofit agency that establishes links between Greater Cincinnati and the global community by creating custom-designed professional training and educational opportunities for emerging world leaders in business, government, education and the arts, Ms. Crotty said.

        The Procter & Gamble Co., partnering with the local Habitat for Humanity chapter, will host a kickoff at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at 292 Mohawk St., Over-the-Rhine, the site of a home being built by volunteers.

        P&G will supply free samples of its ThermaCare HeatWraps to the workers.

        The volunteers will spend this month building the house for a low-income family in an effort to help rebuild the neighborhood, which was torn by riots in April 2001.

        Volunteers are needed by the Cincinnati Area Chapter of the American Red Cross for its first-ever Ride for the Red Biker Bash and Motorcycle Rally, a fund drive, Aug. 24-25. To help, call 579-3077.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.

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