‘WIVES AND HUSBAND OF G8 LEADERS’

Laura Bush, Svetlana Medvedev, Laureen Harper, Veronica Lario, Kiyoko Fukuda, Carla Sarkozy, Sarah Brown, Joachim Sauer

A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

Dear G8 First Ladies (and First Man),

Every minute of every day a woman dies in childbirth. That’s half a million women dying each year - and over 80% of these deaths are avoidable. But here’s the good news – the person with whom you live can help stop this happening. Really.

The 26 of us, write to the 8 of you, women to women (and, with respect, also to you Herr Sauer), on behalf of all women... please do what you can to put this issue at the top of the political agenda. We now have the knowledge to crack it – we just need the political will.

At this year’s G8, your 7 husbands (and 1 wife) have an opportunity to make history here. There is a real chance. Please do what you can – on behalf of us all.

With respect,

Emma Thompson Annie Lennox Christiane Amanpour Donna Langley Kirsty Young Lady de Rothschild Claudia Schiffer Wendi Murdoch Elizabeth Edwards Misia Actress, UK Singer, Songwriter, UK CNN Chief President of Broadcaster, CE, LE Rothschild Supermodel, Actress, Chief Strategist, Attourney, Singer, Japan International Production, Presenter, UK LLC Germany Myspace China Campaigner Correspondent, USA Universal Pictures, USA

Margaret Fiorella Mannoia Margherita Hack Claudie Haigneré Katja Riemann Elisabeth Murdoch Christy Turlington Christine Ockrent Gwyneth Paltrow Sarah McLachlan MacMillan Singer, Songwriter, Scientist, Italy Astronaut and Actress, Germany Chairman, CEO, CARE Ambassador, COO, France Actress, USA Musician, Canada Historian, USA Italy Advisor to ESA, UK/USA Supermodel, USA France

Please join these inspirational women and many more as part of the campaign to reduce maternal mortality. www.whiteribbonalliance.org