Inspirtation
I am feeling very inspired by the presentation that Elizabeth Keller and Turner Ritchie gave this morning about their recent trip to Nepal and the time they spent with a grassroots organization called Women Empowerment. The group is working to help women overcome poverty and oppression in a society where they are considered less than second class citizens.
And while it would have been easy to become overwhelmed and saddened by the stories of oppressed impoverished women in a far off country so different from my own, I felt inspired. Not only by the stories of women who have learned to provide for themselves and their families and to speak out for the basic rights of all women in their countries, but also by the amazing women in my life.
Women like Elizabeth who are unabashedly strong and forthright. Women who reach out to others with compassion and an honest desire to help support and lift one another up. These women go far beyond simply being opinionated and stubborn and are truly empowered and a force to be reckoned with.
Along with Elizabeth Keller, I think of:
Anna Lisa Gross
Emily Mingle-Hershberger
Amy Gall Ritchie
Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm
Tracy Stoddart
Karen Poling
Ashely Saylor
Katie O’Donnell
These women are an inspiration and example for men and women alike!
February 25th, 2008 at 10:50 am
The following comment was posted by Elizabeth Keller on my Facebook account in response to this post:
– and i think of you dear didi (”sister” in Nepali) . . .
you are a
beautiful,
feisty,
smart,
inquisitive,
faithful force
to be reckoned with . . .
For those who might read your “inspiration”
and are moved to know more,
DO more,
please see our F’book group entitled:
NEPAL! - Sharing the Story of Women Empowerment” at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6437624962
OR: http://www.newcommunityproject.org/nepal_we.shtml
Namaste! Elizabeth
February 27th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
thanks dear!
i agree - the service was incredibly inspiring and powerful! and having such a strong group of women friends helps my life feel meaningful, centered, and positive. thank you for being one of these friends!