Whatever joyous occasion you celebrate at this special time of year may it bring family and friends together for reflection, fellowship, food … and chocolate. Count your blessings and think of how you can help those who cannot.
Happy Easter ~ Chag Sameach ~ Happy Spring
It’s here! March 8th is the official date for International Womens’ Day 2015. All over the world there are events, discussions, celebrations and plans being made to recognize this date and to make things better for the future. We know the work never stops.
Got a minute or two? Click here to read some of the inspiring posts and feel proud of the tremendous accomplishments this year has seen. Share a message on the International Women’s Day Facebook page and, while you are there, stop by and visit some of the inspiring links. It’s exciting to see how change is happening in large and small ways. Still, there’s a lot to be done.
Send a note, email, tweet to an individual or organization that works to make the world a better place. What’s happening in your community? The theme this year is Make It Happen. Use the hashtag #makeithappen and help spread the word.
You know how I love to encourage everyone to be a possibilitarian and this theme fits right in. Let’s do it! Make it happen!
If you watched the Academy Awards this year, you heard Patricia Arquette speak up for equal rights for women in her own country. It’s unbelievable that in 2015, this still has not become reality in the United States of America. I’ve posted this video before. It’s short and effective. I was shocked the first time I saw it. Please watch it. Then raise your voice. Pass this around! In the US of A? SERIOUSLY?
Part of the Canadian contribution to International Women’s Day 2015 is this video below. #WhoWillYouHelp shows various situations involving sexual violence and encourages viewers to step in and keep them from escalating. It’s something we all can do. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is implementing a $41 million-plan, “It’s Never Okay,” to address sexual violence and harassment. Part of this plan, the video has already garnered almost 50,000 views on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2ZSZrGc-O8
There are so many issues that need our attention. At the same time, much continues to be accomplished. Kudos to all with boots on the ground, men and women. How will you recognize International Women’s Day?
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Here we come again!
It’s the fourth anniversary of the Beauty Of A Woman blogfest hosted by the talented women’s activist, journalist and writer, August McLaughlin. I hope you will find a quiet time in the next little while to visit all of the participating blogs. The messages are inspirational, informative, entertaining and … well … beautiful. You might even be enticed to join us next year! Bonus: check out the beautiful prize list too!
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt
This year’s BOAW challenge has me focusing on my 5-year-old granddaughter who is a real girly-girl with long strawberry blond hair and stunning turquoise eyes. She is also smart, feisty, strong-willed and curious.
I worry about the world today, where the media focus is more frequently on stereotypes that deliver a skewed vision of “beauty” to fertile young minds. I want my granddaughter, and all girls, to grow up in a world that is safe. A world that gives the right messages. I want girls to grow up proud, confident, educated, and kind-hearted, with a strong social conscience. Why not? I want them to understand that beauty exists in many forms. I want them to listen to Eleanor’s words and believe in the beauty of their dreams.
It gives me hope to know there is a girl raising her voice and making a difference in the world. A girl who can be the best kind of role model for all girls and an inspiration to women of all ages. She’s a girl who believes in the beauty of her dreams: Malala Yousafzai.
Today I want to dedicate my post to the beauty of Malala’s dreams, along with some organizations that work tirelessly to end violence against women. The dedicated people behind these organizations deserve to be recognized and supported for all they do to improve the lives of women and girls. Their messages underline the beauty and importance of the strength and potential of every single female. They truly work to bring about change so that every girl and woman may know she is safe and have the opportunity to believe in the beauty of her dreams.
It’s heartbreaking to think of the countless numbers of young girls and women in tragic situations around the world who struggle just to get through a day. We should never let up on our efforts to bring change to their lives.
Let’s all do our part to support the dreams of the future..
Each year I am simply blown away by the variety of perspectives, opinions and beautiful words found on all of the participating websites. You can link to all of them right here. Fest away!
It’s been a pleasure to take part in the BOAW blogfest all four years. May I be candid here? I know I can with you … I’ve loved each of my BOAW posts because August’s challenge to us has caused me to look at certain aspects of life in ways I might never have written about on my website. Thanks, August!
BOAW 2012 ~ You’re Beautiful Just The Way You Are
BOAW 201 ~ She Walks In Beauty
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Happy Valentine’s Day to all
Of course there’s a place for hearts and flowers and chocolate and mushy love songs, but there are many girls and women around the world who receive none of those.
Here’s a song we should all add to our repertoire. It too is a song about love. This infectious anthem shares a message that is universal. Share it everywhere you can. Help break the chain of violence towards women and girls. BREAK THE CHAIN.
Click here to see V-day events happening around the world today.
“Like” the Facebook page. Follow V-day on Twitter. Let’s all do our part!
Lyrics by Tena Clark
Music by Tena Clark/Tim Heintz
(Repeat chorus)
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