TalkBaja.com » Baja Mexico Forums » Baja News Wire

Women's weekend in Baja aims to dispel fears
San Diegan is force behind "One Hundred Women in Baja"

By Sandra Dibble | SDUT
Saturday August 20, 2011

TIJUANA — Women from both sides of the border are expected to gather in Tijuana and Rosarito Beach for a series of events this weekend that include a networking party, a Mexican fiesta, a visit to an orphanage and a tour of a medical clinic.

The event is being billed as Cien Mujeres in Baja--One Hundred Women in Baja--and is aimed at encouraging San Diegans to reconnect with Baja California.

The idea came from Virginia Shuey, a San Diegan who has been going to Baja California for the past five decades and owns a weekend home in Rosarito Beach. Shuey said her goal is to break down fears about visiting Baja California and inertia about crossing the border.

Cross-border collaboration has dropped off in recent years due to a range of factors, including clogged border crossings, fears of crime, and the global recession.

“People are not going to Mexico,” said Shuey. “I can’t even get people to my house for the weekend.”

Shuey has received backing from Tijuana’s Office of Binational Affairs, which is helping arrange transportation and accommodations.

The women are scheduled to gather at the Caliente racetrack today for a benefit networking luncheon hosted by Carolina Bustamante, who is Tijuana’s first lady and the daughter of Mayor Carlos Bustamante.

“It is time people start coming back to this lovely, lively city and take note of the changes and remember the familiar spots,” said Shuey. “I feel it would be a good idea to have women who make a difference in their work and their involvement in charities in the arts and culture to come to Tijuana.”

Among the four dozen U.S. women who are expected to attend are schoolteachers, business owners, an attorney, and a hospitality consultant. Their $30 payment for the networking luncheon with Mexican women will go to support the the DIF, Tijuana’s social service agency. Shuey hopes to encourage not just tourism, but philanthropy.


source...