Inshirah Farhoud will give her audience a perspective of Islam tonight when she talks about the present and developing role of women in the religion.

She is a nurse practitioner who works with developmentally delayed children at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Farhoud, 50, was born in Palestine and has lived in the United States on Milwaukee's south side for 38 years. She arrived in the U.S. shortly after the Six-Day War, which was fought in 1967 between Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Syria.

Her presentation, "Women in Islam," is sponsored by the Racine Coalition for Peace and Justice. It begins at 7 p.m. at Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church, 625 College Ave. The presentation is free and open to the public.

"I have been speaking about Islam for over 20 years to school, churches, colleges, interfaith and the like," Farhoud said. "The role of women in Islam has become a hot topic since the invasion of Iraq and after the 9/11 tragedies. What I hope to discuss is an overview of Islam, the role of the woman, and I like to provide as much time as possible to questions from the audience. This is always the most thought-provoking and stimulating. I think dialogue is so important for all of us as Americans to appreciate the beautiful and diverse American experience."

Farhoud is an officer of the Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition and of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. She also is a board member of Milwaukee Muslim Professionals and Associates and of Global Peace Services USA.

Global Peace is a movement whose goal is to create a professional peace service by promoting education and skills training for men and women based on a philosophy of active nonviolence. The U.S. branch of the organization is based in Washington, D.C. As a member of Global Peace's board, Farhoud currently is teaching a class at Alverno College called "Nurses As Healers and Peacemakers."

Prom time

Prom is a magical time in high school and every girl wants that special dress. But prom dresses and the accompanying hoopla are expensive. However, help is available at the Belle of the Ball Boutique. If you are a junior or senior girl who would like to keep the cost of prom down, please come to the Belle of the Ball Boutique. The boutique will be open Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. However, VIP hours are from 10 a.m. to noon but reservations are needed to come to the boutique during those hours. VIPs get first pick of the dresses. Reservations are not needed from noon to 2 p.m.

Call (262) 994-8569 or e-mail sarrazin1230@hotmail.com today to make a reservation to be a VIP. The boutique will be at St. Mary's Hospital, 3801 Spring St. in the Racine Room next to the cafeteria on lower level. Look for the signs.

Fundraiser

The Catholic Knights Branch 202-Racine and the friends and family of Stephanie Molnar invite the community to the "Step Up for Steph" benefit. The fundraiser will be from 1-9 p.m. March 29 at Rockin Robin Pub and Grill, 20715 Durand Ave., Union Grove. The event will feature food, music, live and silent auctions, raffles, children's activities and fun for all.

The purpose of the benefit is to raise money and offer community support to the family of a local woman, Stephanie Molnar, who is battling an advanced stage of a rare cancer known as adrenal cortical carcinoma, said Cathy Fugate, one of the organizers.

"Stephanie, a single mother of two small children, has been battling this illness for some time," Fugate said. "Despite her courageous battle with this disease, the progression and severity of her illness has created some significant financial challenges for her and her family." All proceeds from the "Step Up For Steph" benefit will be used to help the family with the many expenses associated with fighting this disease.

For more information or to buy advance raffle tickets, please contact Cathy Fugate at (262) 835-9174; Donna Durkee at (262) 930-1490; or Karen Stiles at (414) 774-1460.

Phyllis Sides is a reporter for The Journal Times. This column, about the good stories of good people in Racine County, appears each week. She can be reached at (262) 631-1714 or by e-mail at

psides@journaltimes.com