Joy Keys chats with Model/Actress Waris Dirie

PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 30, 2011

Joy Keys chats with Model/Activist Waris Dirie

WHEN: Saturday April 30, 2011

TIME: 11:00 a. m. - 11:30 a.m. ET

GO TO: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/joykeys to listen on your computer.

CALL: (646) 929-0368 to listen or ask questions on your phone.

Waris Dirie was born in 1965 into a nomad family living in the region of Gallcaio, in the Somali desert near the border to Ethiopia. At the tender age of five, she underwent the inhuman procedure of genital mutilation. This horrible tradition is still practiced worldwide today, both by Moslems and Christians. According to estimations of the United Nations, more than 8 000 girls become victims of this cruel crime every day.

At the age of 13 Waris fled from a forced marriage to a man, who could have been her grandfather in age. After an adventurous escape she arrived in London and worked there as a housemaid and at McDonald's.

SUPERMODEL AND BONDGIRL
She was discovered by the British top photographer Terence Donovan as a model at the age of 18 and became an international celebrity. She was given a part as a James Bond girl in the movie 'The Living Daylight', side by side with Timothy Dalton.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, appointed her as UN Special Ambassador for the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation.

DESERT FLOWER - BLOCKBUSTER
1997 Waris Dirie's biography 'Desert Flower' was published in New York. The book became an international bestseller.

DESERT FLOWER FOUNDATION-
In 2002 she founded her own foundation, named Waris Dirie Foundation, based in Vienna/Austria, to support her work as a campaigner against FGM. In 2010, the Foundation was re-named "Desert Flower Foundation" to reflect the broader approach to addressing female genital mutilation though economic projects in Africa.

AWARDS AND HONOURS
In 2007 the French President Nicolas Sarkozy appointed her as a 'Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur', the 'World Demographic Association' nominated her as the first woman for the 'Prix de la Generation' and the 'Martin Buber Foundation' nominated her as the first woman for the 'Martin Buber Gold Medal'.

DESERT FLOWER - THE FEATURE FILM
In March 2008 filming for 'Desert Flower', which is based on her first book, started in Djibouti, shooting also took place in London, followed by Berlin and New York. Producer is Oscar-winner Peter Herrmann ('Nowhere in Africa') and Director is New York's Sherry Hormann

Desert Flower Foundation website: http://www.desertflowerfoundation.org/en/
Desert Flower Film website: http://www.desertflower-movie.com/

"Saturday Mornings with Joy Keys" is an interactive, live Internet talk-radio show that focuses on providing people with tools to enrich and advance their lives mentally, physically and emotionally. You can listen to archives of previous shows by going to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/joykeys.

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