A few weeks ago, I received an invitation addressed to “All My Amazing Women Friends.” I have to say I was honored to be on this list of women with a 50 year span of age, representing many different careers, religious beliefs, and family structures.
We met for an afternoon tea to discuss our roles as women in the world and to consider studying a book together by Jean Shinoda Bolen called “Urgent Message from Mother: Gather the Women, Save the World” with the intention that the power of this group would do just as the title instructs and predicts. In the book Bolen says, the “energy of women together is generated by a mix of love, outrage, ideas, comments, infectious laughter, and a desire to make a difference.” From my experience at our recent gathering, this is indeed the case.
Bolen insists that there is need for women to work together to ensure the safety and security of our children and grandchildren as “more than half of the world’s children of more than one billion suffer extreme deprivation because of war, poverty, and HIV/AIDS.” When we can end the cycle of violence and neglect that allows a half billion children to be uncared for, traumatized, disempowered, and killed, world peace and sustainability can become a reality.
Sunday, March 8th is the 98th International Women’s Day. The day was established to celebrate the social, economical, and political accomplishments of women of the past, present and future. This year’s IWD theme is “women and men united to end violence against women and girls.” Why not use the occasion to take a bold step forward for world peace and an end of violence towards women and children by honoring this day? Even the smallest intention or action will make a difference. Light a candle, write a letter to Ambassador Susan Rice, representative of the United States to the United Nations, to ask for a 5th International Women’s Conference sponsored by the United Nations, or better yet invite all your amazing women friends to gather with the intention that peace and humanity can prevail on earth.