“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” ― Maya Angelou
Each
year International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8. It's a day the world celebrates the
social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing attention on areas requiring further action. The reality is that still, all
over the world, women and girls are denied the opportunity to fulfill their
potential and the right to personal safety, health and education, simply
because they are born female. The 2014 International Women’s Day theme is Inspiring Change and "encourages advocacy
for women’s advancement everywhere in every way."
I believe each of us can make a difference for women in our community and around the world. One small gesture from
each and every one of us can begin a movement toward change.
We’re proud to
support these organizations that are doing incredible work to help women locally
and globally:
Go Red for Women/American Heart Association fights heart disease in women. A little known fact is that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. That’s approximately one woman every minute!
One By One is dedicated to restoring
the health and dignity of women with obstetric fistula worldwide and to helping
create the conditions needed for all women to give birth safely.
Providence Regina House provides food, clothing, and other basic necessities to
families in Seattle, WA.
We all have
endless opportunities to engage and make a difference! To paraphrase Gandhi: “Start the change you
wish to see.” If you can make a
charitable donation to an organization that helps women, great! If you can’t,
consider volunteering for them. Use the
great power of social media to have your voice be heard in the fight for equality
for women and for the injustices against them. You can support the petitions of others, or start your own on an issue you care about.
Take a moment tomorrow to think about women and girls living with
poverty, hunger and injustice and ways you can join us in inspiring change.
Happy International Women’s Day 2014!
