j m's Page

It's hard to imagine what the girl I am empowering in 2010 will be like in 2020. Part of the reason is that she is only 2 1/2 years old right now. I couldn't imagine what she would be today, how will I know what she will be in 10 years? I hope she will continue to be smart, funny, and independent. I also hope that I can teach her to be assertive and stand-up for what she knows is right. I hope she never lets anyone persuade her that there is something she can't do.

I am in college earning my degree. Not only will this open more opportunities for me, but I am creating a better future for my daughter. I am leading by example and showing my daughter how important education is -- even if you're "just" a stay-at-home mother. I want her to know that her life is limited only by her imagination, ambition, and perseverance -- not by her gender.

Women in Lebanon just took part in a graduation ceremony. The school focused on teaching literacy to a group of women in one village. The curriculum was based around "reproductive health, gender-based violence, economic empowerment, rights and women's participation." One women is quoted in the article sharing her sense of pride in herself and her… Continue

The new branch of Bank of the World just opened in my town. I decided to move all my accounts out of the credit union here. With the amount that I travel, it just didn't make sense to use one of those "local" banks. I always had to worry about if I would have access to an ATM where I was staying. I had to keep excess cash on my at all times so that I wouldn't have to worry about running out. Then all I had to worry about was getting mugged. Continue