La Jolla, CA - OMG the contrast between last weekend in Liberia and this weekend in La Jolla, and several days in Geneva, IL in between – dramatic! We are all sharing one planet, with such diversity and extremes – and yet we are one human family. The extremes makes me realize how easy it is for separation, “them and us” instead of “we” which is our true reality.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day on Tuesday of this week, I am doing a life review. Since 1914, March 8th has been celebrated as International Women’s Day. I was not aware of this as a child, nor as a student or young adult, nor in my first professional career. It was only once the Foundation for Women was birthed and my focus turned to the issues of women and girls nearly 25 years ago did March 8th become a significant day in my world.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day on Tuesday of this week, I am doing a life review. Since 1914, March 8th has been celebrated as International Women’s Day. I was not aware of this as a child, nor as a student or young adult, nor in my first professional career. It was only once the Foundation for Women was birthed and my focus turned to the issues of women and girls nearly 25 years ago did March 8th become a significant day in my world.
I have acknowledged and celebrated March 8th in numerous places around the world. With my parents this last week, I opened a special National Geographic book, Wonders of the World, which documents extraordinary places on our planet. It was with much amazement and great gratitude and joy that I was able to share with Mom and Dad my personal experiences in so many of the places in the book, from the Great Pyramids to Machu Picchu to the Great Wall to… It was a reconfirmation of my global citizenship vs American citizenship, my global citizenship vs white woman in the west citizenship. I am truly more comfortable elsewhere, beyond my birth citizenship roles. And I am so very grateful for the experiences which have contributed to my global role in the world.
I spoke with my dear sister Angela in Liberia yesterday, thanking her again for hosting a dinner in my honor a week ago, my last evening in Liberia. She saw my namesake Deborah and her grandmother at her Benson Hospital on Saturday. Deborah has malaria, again, and Grandma’s diabetes is causing complications. They both are now getting the best medical help available in Liberia, at no cost, thanks to Angela’s and my friendship. I am thinking of the thousands of children suffering from malaria in Liberia and elsewhere every moment without treatment, of the numerous people dealing with diabetes without treatment – two diseases so easily prevented and managed here in the US. Oh the contrast.
The Foundation for Women is launching a Kickstarter Campaign to fund a documentary film HOPE. It chronicles the stories of several Liberians whose human spirit and resiliency are extraordinary; how much we can learn from those members of our human family who have endured so much and still get up each day and do what needs to be done for the children and their country. Astonishing. Please watch for details this week – and please support and share – thank you!
As we acknowledge women around the globe tomorrow, I am very mindful of the millions of women and their families who have been impacted by the work of the Foundation for Women since its inception 20 years ago now. Extraordinary. It would not have been possible without each and every one of you – thank you for believing and supporting our grassroots effort to change the statistics of poverty and stand with dear and special members of our human family.
With love and gratitude ~ Deborah
I spoke with my dear sister Angela in Liberia yesterday, thanking her again for hosting a dinner in my honor a week ago, my last evening in Liberia. She saw my namesake Deborah and her grandmother at her Benson Hospital on Saturday. Deborah has malaria, again, and Grandma’s diabetes is causing complications. They both are now getting the best medical help available in Liberia, at no cost, thanks to Angela’s and my friendship. I am thinking of the thousands of children suffering from malaria in Liberia and elsewhere every moment without treatment, of the numerous people dealing with diabetes without treatment – two diseases so easily prevented and managed here in the US. Oh the contrast.
The Foundation for Women is launching a Kickstarter Campaign to fund a documentary film HOPE. It chronicles the stories of several Liberians whose human spirit and resiliency are extraordinary; how much we can learn from those members of our human family who have endured so much and still get up each day and do what needs to be done for the children and their country. Astonishing. Please watch for details this week – and please support and share – thank you!
As we acknowledge women around the globe tomorrow, I am very mindful of the millions of women and their families who have been impacted by the work of the Foundation for Women since its inception 20 years ago now. Extraordinary. It would not have been possible without each and every one of you – thank you for believing and supporting our grassroots effort to change the statistics of poverty and stand with dear and special members of our human family.
With love and gratitude ~ Deborah
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