The American Association of University Women (AAUW) and WPBS-TV will show a two part discussion, “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women World-Wide,” based on the book by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.

The show will broadcast Monday, Oct. 1 and Tuesday, Oct. 2 from 9 to 11 p.m.

"Half the Sky" was filmed in 10 countries, following Kristof, WuDunn, and celebrity activists America Ferrera, Diane Lane, Eva Mendes, Meg Ryan, Gabrielle Union and Olivia Wilde on a journey to tell the stories of inspiring, courageous individuals.

The series will be introduced by a local panel discussion, “Turning Oppression into Opportunity,” at 8:30 pm on Monday, Oct. 1.

Jefferson County AAUW member Andrea Pedrick hosts the panel discussion of ways individuals and groups can respond to the issues raised in the Half the Sky program.

The panelists include Clarkson University junior Erin Bassney, Massena, president of the D’amuge Fund, a university club that was founded to address the causes of poverty, rather than solving the effects of poverty.

Heather White, Watertown, is a Board Member of the Women of Grace Widows Fund.

The panel is rounded out with Melissa Guardaro, Valley Cottage, NY, a member of the Rockland County Branch and the recently appointed AAUW United Nations Representative. She and Joan Monk launched an AAUW-NYS project, My Sister’s Keeper, in 2010.

The North Country AAUW branches are underwriting the Half the Sky series locally to promote a greater understanding of the issues facing women worldwide and to showcase ways people of good will can make a positive difference globally. To learn more, go to http://www.northcountryaauw.org/ or contact Jennifer Ball at jball@clarkson.edu.