International Women's Day- LET'S DO SOMETHING!

Today is International Women's Day. In honor of this day, I want to highlight an organization that embodies the action required to empower women: Women for Women International. The common denominator among the organizations I support is their commitment to moving past "awareness" and pushing for "ACTION". Not just action on behalf of women or marginalized people, but action from those people. When we empower the marginalized, they are able to transcend victim/ survivor status and move on to become active citizens and change makers for others.Women for Women International believes, as I do, that if we give women access to knowledge and expression of voice along with access to and control of resources that THEY will affect lasting social and political change in their communities.

For many of women in "first world" countries (myself included), the fight for equality means breaking a glass ceiling. In developing world countries, the fight is for access to electricity and water, education and medical care. The fight is for freedom from the violence of rape, genital mutilation, forced marriage, extreme poverty and starvation. I'm not saying that the fight is an either/or battle. Break that glass ceiling, but in the process remember that there are women...millions of women...who aren't yet even in the building; they are still standing outside the door of opportunity. Remember them and find ways to push that door open.

What can you do? How can you help give voice to the voiceless? Be their audience and their witness. Advocate for them while they are learning to speak with their own voice. How can you provide access to knowledge? There are many organizations committed to the education of women in developing countries. Support them; it takes less than you might imagine. How can you help them gain access to resources and control of their own lives? Make your own powerful voice be heard by our leaders in State Department and government at large. Let them know that the status of women worldwide impacts us here at home. Countries who have the worst reputation for human rights violations against women and children are also the countries who are the biggest threats to the United States in terms of terrorism and military conflict. Lifting the status of women in those countries should be a high priority in the fight against terrorism.

What will your impact be today...and tomorrow...and the day after? You are needed!