We are proud to feature this guest blog by Pam Steel, a Women for Women International supporter & women’s rights advocate in Boston. Women for Women International is a fantastic nonprofit devoted to helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. We launched our pilot project with them in Baghdad, Iraq to support their program graduates.
Here Pam invites you to participate in the Join Me on the Bridge campaign this International Women’s Day (March 8th) in Boston! The Join Me on the Bridge campaign asks us all to “stand with women on 8th March to build bridges of peace and hope for the future.” It is “the coming together of women and men around the world, united in taking a stand for PEACE and women’s EQUALITY.” Take a look at this link for more information on Join Me on the Bridge campaigns in other cities around the world.
A friend introduced me to Women for Women International, and over the years I have been a sister to five women: two women from Rwanda, one from Kosovo, and two in the DCR. Each sister made me far more attentive to world news — and I would listen with new interest to any news related to their countries.
On International Women’s Day in 2011, March 8th, about 50 women joined us on the Massachusetts Avenue bridge throughout the morning to celebrate the day and stand in solidarity with other women around the world.
This year we are hoping to have even more women join us…including representatives from other organizations working towards peace like Oxfam, the United Nations Association of Boston, Shalupe Foundation (a non-profit for women and children in the Congo), possibly some politicians, and of course a representative from WfWI partner Prosperity Candle!
There will be a bit of time at the beginning for people to make signs if they have not brought them and Equal Exchange Fair Trade Coffee will provide us with coffee, while on the bridge.
Then a short program, dedicated to women that have made a difference in the past, some music, and then we’ll walk across the bridge from Boston to the Cambridge—with photos and media coverage.
Upon return, each of the organization representatives will say a few words about what their group is doing to move things forward. At the close, there will be an invitation for all women to join together for an informal lunch at a place in Kenmore Square.
~ Pamela
