Saturday, September 16, 2006
Sheraton Imperial Hotel, 4700 Emperor Blvd., RTP

 
Seating
- Tickets may be purchased until midnight on 9/12/06 (subject to availability)
- Seating is limited. Each table will seat 10 guests.
- Consider reserving a table and sitting with friends or co-workers. 
- Tables will be assigned based on ticket order dates.
- You will receive your table assignment when you check in on 9/16/06.
- Scholarship tickets are available. Email swoop4u@nc.rr.com for consideration.
- Seating choices include: View seating plan »

Sojourner Truth Section includes 16 tables with tickets available at $100 per seat.  Ticket purchasers will share this section with speakers, honored guests, major sponsors, and the 2006 Sisters of Strength Award recipient. These are the most popular tickets and are expected to sell out quickly. Each ticket purchased provides a tax deductible donation of $45 to SWOOP!

Susan B. Anthony Section includes 14 tables with tickets available at $75 per seat. Additional guests of honor will be seated in this section. Each ticket purchased provides a tax deductible donation of $20 to SWOOP!.

Eleanor Roosevelt Section includes 6 tables with tickets available at $55 per seat. These tickets do not include a tax deductible donation to SWOOP.

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Ticketing

• We encourage credit card holders to purchase tickets online. Through a generous arrangement with Etix.com, you may reserve seats for a specific section. Within each section, tables will be assigned based on your ticket order date.
• To request a table with friends, you may purchase all tickets in the same transaction or list your friends' names in the additional seating request fields.
• A convenience fee applies per ticket, but Etix will afford you instant section availability and options. No muss, no fuss!
• After purchasing your ticket, you will receive a confirmation e-mail and must then print out your own ticket. Be sure and bring the printout with you to the dinner—this is your only admission ticket! Group purchasers will receive all tickets via one designated e-mail address. 
• If necessary, we can print your tickets for receipt at “Will Call” in the hotel lobby on 9/16. 
• Make sure your spam blocker will allow email from thankyou@etix.com.
• To purchase by credit card through the Etix.com box office link on the SWOOP website: Click on the blue “Buy Tickets” button above. This will lead you to a page featuring a flashing “Buy” button; click on “Buy.”  Choose your preferred price/section: SojTruth = $100, SB. Anthony = $75, or ERoosevelt = $55.  Choose the number of tickets you wish to purchase and “Continue.” Follow the Etix.com menu through the purchasing process. NOTE THAT THE CONVENIENCE FEE APPLIES TO EACH TICKET ($7.50 per $100, = $5.88 per $75, $4.58 per $55).
• For cash or check payment, you may purchase tickets via the SWOOP box-office option. Please use the ticket form. Checks should be made payable to SWOOP for your total purchase price. No convenience fees apply. Mail check to: SWOOP, 3512 Timberwood Court, Raleigh, NC 27606.
  
  Upon receipt of your check, your order will be processed to reserve seats at the best available table. If you wish seating with friends, please specify those names when you order. We will do our best to accommodate your request based on table availability when payment is received.
  
  You will receive confirmation by e-mail with instructions for printing your ticket(s). Your automated confirmation will say that “Your credit card has been charged for the tickets.” Disregard this message — your credit card will not be charged; we won’t even have your credit card. Etix could not prevent this message from appearing on your confirmation.

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Directions
Directions to the Sheraton Imperial in RTP, NC »
Dinner and the program will take place in the Empire Ballroom. The Silent Auction will be held in "Royal B."

Parking for the Empire Ballroom is in the lot located to the right of the main entrance.

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Accommodations
Make this a special weekend by spending the night at the Sheraton Imperial RTP or the Country Inn & Suites. We have reserved a block of rooms at each of these hotels. To receive the event price, mention SWOOP when you call for reservations.

Sheraton Imperial RTP
The Sheraton Imperial RTP is our host hotel for this event. Its central location and gracious hospitality are equally matched by the accommodations:
• $125.00 (single) or
• $135.00 (double) per night for a Club Level room
These “early bird” rates are available only until 8/17/06.

Country Inn & Suites
Country Inn and Suites-RDU is conveniently located just 10 miles from downtown Raleigh and minutes from the RDU Airport and the Sheraton Imperial RTP, where Strong Women & Heroes will be held. All rooms and suites provide microwave and refrigerator, coffeemakers, iron and ironing boards, and High-Speed Internet access.
• $79.00 per night Junior Suite; includes continental breakfast
These “early bird” rates are available only until 9/10/06.

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Reception 
5:00-7:00 p.m. - Reception

• Join us for this unique opportunity to mingle with friends & special guests in the Sheraton lobby.
• Light hors d’oeuvres will be provided and cash bar will be open from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
• During the reception, you will have an opportunity to bid on fantastic Silent Auction items (details below).  All proceeds will go directly to SWOOP.
• Staff from our fabulous supporter, Three Oaks Photography, will be available to create beautiful portraits as you wish (details below).  As usual, they donate a portion of their proceeds to SWOOP!
• The cash bar will be available only during the reception, for guests who would like to purchase beer, wine, or mixed drinks by the glass.
• Guests may purchase alcoholic beverages to bring in to the dinner. No other alcoholic beverages will be served during the dinner and program.

 

Silent Auction
5:00-6:30 p.m. - Silent Auction Bidding in "Royal B"
The Silent Auction bidding wars will conclude at 6:30 p.m. to allow for tallying before dinner.  No fighting, please!  Thanks to our generous donors, all proceeds go directly to SWOOP.

• Auction winners must submit cash or check payments only.
• All items must be claimed and paid for by the end of the evening.
• The minimum value of most items donated for the Silent Auction is $50.  However, we will have one table devoted to items valued at less than $50.
• Please e-mail SWOOP4U@nc.rr.com to donate fabulous items or services for the auction.

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Photographs
During the reception and after the program, the fantastic photographers from Three Oaks Photography will be available to create portraits as you like. Each professional 5x7 portrait will cost $15 and will be prepared for you on site. This service has been extremely popular at prior Strong Women & Heroes evenings. Better yet, Three Oaks Photography donates a portion of the proceeds to SWOOP!

All portrait participants will also receive a free Holiday Portrait Session with these wonderful photographers.

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• All tables are reserved in advance. Your ticket will reflect the section purchased. You will receive your table assignment when you check in. Individual seats at each table are not assigned.
• Doors will open a few minutes early for your convenience.
• Dinners will include a chicken or vegetarian entrée, salad, vegetable, potato or rice, rolls & butter, dessert, regular & decaffeinated coffee and specialty teas.
• The main entrée is Chicken Florentine. If you require a vegetarian entrée, please email when you purchase your ticket. Last call for vegetarian meal requests will be Monday, 9/12/06 at midnight.

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Program
8:00 p.m. – SWOOP presents “Strong Women and Heroes”

• Emcee Diane Wilson, ABC – 11 Eyewitness News’ Troubleshooter, will guide you through an evening you will never forget!
• The program will feature:
  • Keynote speaker, singer, songwriter, activist, Holly Near 
  • The 2006 Sisters of Strength Award honoring Women Working for Social Justice presented by Chief Justice Sarah Parker, North Carolina Supreme Court
  • "Someone’s Sister" performing “Heroes”

• We promise a very special evening you won’t want to miss!!

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Keynote Speaker
Holly Near is a unique combination of entertainer, teacher and activist. An extraordinary vocal talent, She is a skilled performer and an outspoken ambassador for peace who brings to the stage an integration of world consciousness, spiritual discovery, and theatricality. Holly’s singing career has been defined by an unwillingness to separate her passion for music from her passion for human dignity.

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The following strong women working for social justice have been nominated for the 2006 SWOOP Sisters of Strength Award:

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2006 Sisters of Strength Award Artist