Former hostage, journalist and subject of a major motion picture coming to Ottawa for inspirational speech

Cornerstone Housing for Women will be celebrating its 30

th

Anniversary this Friday night with a special gala featuring inspirational speaker Amanda Lindhout, who was released by Islamist insurgents after 460 days in captivity.

Amanda Lindhout is the Canadian journalist who was kidnapped in 2008 in southern Somalia. In 2013 she released the New York Times bestseller _ A House in the Sky: A Memoir, _ recounting her experience as a hostage of teenage militants from the Hizbul Islam fundamentalist group. The book has since been optioned to become a major motion picture.

** Location: ** Centurion Conference & Event Centre 170 Colonnade Road South Ottawa, ON

** Date: ** Friday, November 21 ** **

** Time: ** 5:30                       Doors Open 6:30                        Opening Remarks 6:45                       Dinner 7:30                        Jill Zmud 8:00                        Keynote Speaker, Amanda Lindhout 8:45                        The Bytown Boomers

The evening is a celebration of the strength of women amid difficult circumstances. It will mark Cornerstone’s 30 years and the many women who have come to Cornerstone seeking a new start in life, and the community of people who have chosen to journey with them in compassion and solidarity.

A post-dinner performance will be made by Ottawa-based Singer-songwriter and long-time Cornerstone supporter, Jill Zmud. Ottawa- based classic rock band, The Bytown Boomers, will rock the house for all who wish to stay and dance the night away after the formal program ends.

** For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: ** Eric Collard, Ottawa Media Group eric.collard@ottawamediagroup.com 613-878-0180

Kimothy Walker, Ottawa Media Group kimothy.walker@ottawamediagroup.com 613-859-3753