Dardanesha Andoni, Assistant to Director for Outreach, works at AAWO’s Outreach Department. With her work and engagement she supports the directors efforts in organizing and orientation of the newcomers in the community in assisting successfully in the development of programs, meetings and seminars Of AAWO with the Albanian community. She has established contact with members of the Albanian community, prepares presenting materialfor AAWO as well as essential information for contacts and meetings in the community. She is committed to working with women and finding solutions to their problems. In addition to her work with AAWO, Dardanesha works as a freelance writer for the “Ilyria” newspaper. Originally from Tirana, Albania, Dardanesha completed her studies at the Pedagogical Institute of the Faculty of Albanian Language and Literature in Tirana. She has experience working as an Albanian Language Teacher in Puke, Mirdite, and Tirana and in the Personnel’s Office at the Minister’s Council of Tirana. In 1995, she finished a Qualification Course for the Organization of Public Administration, at the Royal Institute of Public Administration in London,U.K. She also attended Continuous Improvement Seminars at the Institute of Management and Public Administration in 1996.   Violca Jakupi, Program Manager, holds an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science and is currently pursuing a B.A. in Computer Science at City College. Before joining AAWO, Violca worked with Earn Fair LLC as an Administration Coordinator. In addition to managing the AAWO office, she also coordinates AAWO’s volunteers, and she plays an important role in organizing AAWO’s special events and activities. Violca was born in Banja e Sijarines in the municipality of Medvegja (Eastern Kosova), and is AAWO’s first staff person from that region.   Shqipe Malushi, Executive Director of AAWO was elected the 2003 Woman of the Year by Refugee Women’s Network (a national organization based in Atlanta, Georgia) for her leadership, commitment, compassion and cultural contribution to those who seek to integrate into American society. Born in Kosova, Shqipe has lived in the United States for more than twenty years. She has been actively involved with issues affecting refugee women and children, minorities and the underprivileged for over 10 years. Her accomplishments have won her a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal in recognition of her work with the U.S. Peacekeeping team during the war in Kosova where she assisted as a translator and a cultural adviser. Woman’s Day Magazine named her an “Angel of Peace,” and she was invited to the White House for her cultural contribution to the community. In addition to advocacy, Shqipe has 15 years of experience in editing, writing, public speaking and producing public events. A book of her poetry written in her native Albanian titled “For You” was published in 1998. Shqipe recently graduated from the Executive Level Program at the Institute for Nonprofit Management at the Columbia University Business School in New York. She also holds an MA in Liberal Arts from New York University, a BA in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College, and a BA in Linguistics from the University of Belgrade in the Former Yugoslavia. Besides leading AAWO she writes, as well as teaches writing, language and social issues at the Bergen County community colleges in New Jersey. She has used her multilingual translating skills in many countries and continues to dream about making the world a better place.   Elmira Muja, Media Coordinator, holds a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from the Luigj Gurakuqi University in Shkodër. She has experience working as a journalist in Albanian radio and television and as a high school teacher. Originally from Kukës, Albania, Elmira came to the U.S. in 2001. She is currently working for AAWO hosting both programs “Woman’s World Today” television show, as well as “Hear My Voice” at Radio Ateda.   Albiona Reçica, Family Strengthening & Violence prevention Coordinator, studied economics at the University of Prishtina and in Sarajevo, where as a result of the war there she was forced to leave. Originally from Ulqin, Montenegro, Albiona came to the United States in 1994, and now she is developing the Family Strengthening & Violence Prevention program at AAWO.   Valbona Thaqi, Bookkeeper, holds an AOS Degree in Accounting/Business Administration from the ASA Institute/College of Advanced Technology as well as a B.S. degree in Chemical Technology from University of Prishtina, Kosova. Valbona came to the United States as a refugee from Kosova.   Mailing Address: AAWO | 676A Ninth Avenue, Suite 425 | New York, NY 10036 Tel: 1 (212) 244-8440 | Fax: 1 (212) 751-7782 E-Mail: contact@aawomq.org   Copyright © Albanian American Womans Organization Motrat Qiriazi, 1994-2006. All rights reserved. Join AAWO | Benefits of Membership | Sponsorship | Shpresa Subscription | Contact Us | Links | Donate Online