International Women's Day

Did you know that March 8th is International Women's Day?
No, we don't celebrate it much in the states, but it is celebrated all over India and much of the world.
To celebrate, the Gravis organization hosted a march and rally in the town of Tinwari. Women filled the street and we marched with banners and slogans through the town. One of the slogans that was translated for me was: "We're not flowers, we're embers!" We marched right up to the Gravis Hospital and assembled under a colorful tent where many women speakers gave their insight and words of empowerment to the mostly female crowd. Encouragingly, some men attended as well. I even gave a little pep talk! This is the third public event in India that I've been herded up to the mike without warning and asked to speak. I guess I need to just start expecting it! But I particularly wanted to speak at this event to encourage the women to speak up to their husbands and fathers, demand that their daughters go to school, insist that they will join a women's self-help group and start up a savings of their own, give voice to their concerns by expressing themselves at village meetings, etc. The village women are taught to be so shy and subservient under their veils, but they are strong and I have met several firecrackers in the mix. They've got a twinkle in their eye, a strong voice and can make whole crowds laugh out loud together. To all women AND men, happy belated International Women's Day! Celebrate the achievements of eachother and the duality that is life.