I have been lucky enough to travel to some amazing places, and one of the most incredible trips of my life was when we went to Africa. I could go on and on and on about that vacation — what I did, what I ate, what I saw — but today’s post isn’t meant to be a travelogue. Instead, I want to tell you about what I learned when I was there.
I learned that baboons are really, really mean.
I learned that the electricity in a major city can go out for days and no one really seems concerned.
But the most striking thing I learned half a world away, on a distant continent, in the most foreign of all the foreign paces I’d ever been, in the midst of some pretty serious chaos and mess and poverty, is that the women there are just like me.
No, I don’t live in a makeshift home made from corrugated metal. I don’t walk miles to get water for my family. I don’t learn to read in secrecy. I don’t watch a war being waged outside my door.
But I do put one foot in front of the other, each day, and step by step, do what it takes to hold my family together. I go about my business and run errands, but am always aware that my gender makes me a target for those who seek to gain control through violence and sexual attacks. I try to raise my young men to do right, be moral and stand up for what they believe in. I lament our society’s treatment of women while still reveling in my femininity.
Now don’t get me wrong — my life is nothing like that of the women living in Liberia at the turn of this century. These women were living under the rule of Charles Taylor, on of the cruelest, most oppressive rulers in Africa (and that’s saying a lot). Taylor was a particularly nasty guy who was wrapped up in blood diamonds, gun running and war crimes like murder and mutilation, but who still liked to compare himself to Jesus.
During the midst of a civil war in Liberia, a small group of women banded together to help those who were fighting to depose Taylor. They put on white clothes to symbolize peace, they went into a market, and they prayed. It was that simple. But their numbers grew, and they wouldn’t back down. And suddenly, they found themselves in a position to pressure Taylor and force him to participate in peace talks. Before they knew it, these women had played a major role in ending a 14 year civil war, ending Taylor’s rule and electing Liberia’s first female head of state, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Sirleaf and the movement’s leader, Leymah Gbowee, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize earlier this year for their role in empowering women to bring about peace.
I wish I could share the whole story about the Liberian civil war and these women’s actions here on my blog, but I have neither the space nor the time. That doesn’t matter, though, because the story has already been told brilliantly in the award-winning documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell. This documentary was produced by Abigail E. Disney, the grand-niece of another great storyteller, Walt Disney. Here’s a trailer:
And it just so happens that I have a chance for you to attend an intimate, closed screening of the film with Abigail herself.
In conjunction with the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas’ annual Power of the Purse event, only 100 people will be invited to this special showing this Friday evening, the 21st, at 6:30 PM at the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce building. I am honored to be able to give away two passes for this viewing. If you’re interested in attending, just leave a comment by Thursday at 8AM — I’ll be randomly choosing a winner shortly after on Thursday morning.
Women in Liberia, in Africa, and all over the world are the same as you and me. We want to be free. We want to be respected. We want to protect our children. And in the face of depression, frustration, hardship, overwhelming odds and, in some cases, in the face of sheer evil, we ask “What do we do?”
I’ll tell you what we can do. We get mad. We get furious with our government, and with the people who hold the power, but who won’t share it. We get furious with the people who stand by and let bad things happen. We get furious with the people who tell us we can’t make a difference. I am just in the beginning of this process, but I’ve got some things in the works. I’m working on a website and some ideas that I hope can help other women. I’m beginning to use my voice to empower women and serve the world.
Because I think that empowering women is serving the world.
If you agree, please consider attending this Friday night. If you’re not in the area, check out the other opportunities to view Pray the Devil Back to Hell. Or support the WFA, or any other organization whose goal is to help women realize their potential.
You don’t have to face the Devil himself to make a difference. You just have to pay attention and be willing to help.
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WOW! What a powerful trailer. And yes, I agree, empowering women serves the world greatly! I will check the listing to see if it is playing anywhere near me. What an awesome experience it will be to see it with Abigail. WIll you get to interview her? Can’t wait for a follow-up.
In a bummer twist of fate, I’m not going to be able to attend, because I have to head to Bloggy Boot Camp Friday. I am so sad I’m not going to get to meet her. She’s one of my heroes.
You know I want to be there… if I can. ;D Boo, you can’t be! Were I lucky enough to win, I was looking forward to finally meeting you.