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Women of the World, a Utah volunteer organization that helps refugee and immigrant women achieve self-reliance, held a fashion show Thursday at The Leonardo in Salt Lake City. The fund raiser, scheduled the day after International Women's Day, will help pay for the group's programs in areas such as mental and physical health, English courses and job training. It included not only colorful fashions from places like North Africa and the Middle East, but also a variety of ethnic foods.
Samira Harnish, executive director of Women of the World, said the event showcases "more than beautiful women in stylish cultural garb on a runway. This is about mothers and their children who are living a life of freedom they never could have imagined. These women are counting on our friendship and humanity after fleeing violence in the neighborhoods of their birth."