Did you know that sex trafficking, forced prostitution and other gender-based violence against women in other countries is becoming one of the paramount human rights issues of this century? Are you aware of the many ways that you can inspire positive change and help women worldwide to lead free and fulfilling lives?

The book, "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide," by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, offers concrete examples of how social action - one person at a time - can make a difference. Their work combines searing individual testimonials with detailed documentation on injustices to women, and offers many strategies to overcome these abuses and create positive change.

Amy Robinson, past chair of the Stowe Center Board of Trustees and Stowe Prize Selection Committee member, will facilitate the discussion of Half the Sky at the next Nook Farm Book Talk on Thursday, April 7, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Stowe Center in Hartford.

In recognition of the positive impact that Kristof and WuDunn's work is having to inspire hope and opportunity for women, they are the recipients of the inaugural Stowe Prize named in honor of Harriet Beecher Stowe. Her novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," galvanized the anti-slavery movement and contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War.

The $10,000 Stowe Prize honors contemporary writing that inspires change and will be awarded on June 9 at the Stowe Prize Big Tent Jubilee, as part of the bicentennial commemoration of Stowe's 200th birthday.

In The New York Times, Carolyn See described "Half the Sky" as "a call to arms, a call for help, a call for contributions, but also a call for volunteers. It asks us to open our eyes to this enormous humanitarian issue. It does so with exquisitely crafted prose and sensationally interesting material."

Reservations are encouraged: