Psalm 46:5 God is within her, she will not fall. (NIV)
March is Women’s History Month and on March 8th International Women’s Day is celebrated every year. This day commemorates women’s rights movements throughout the world. A day we are aware of all women and girls. It is an anti day-anti discrimination, anti-sexism and anti-violence. Simultaneously, it is pro women’s achievements historically, politically, socially and the like. The day focuses on progressing gender/sexual equality (in pay, resources, opportunities, value, etc.) thereby transforming and uniting the world. This year the theme is Time is Now.
International Women’s Day was officially named that in 1910. Yet began as a Women’s Day first observed right here in my great state of New York on Feb 28, 1909. It was initially organized by a socialist party leader Theresa Serber Malkiel, a suffragist and an educator who spent her latter life promoting education for immigrant women and assisting them with their naturalization. Speak of the times.
Women are speaking out with strength, dignity and knowledge! Although over 108 years have passed some issues are surprisingly (well may be not so surprisingly) relevant today. Women still suffer from child -abduction, trafficking, labor and marriage. Nobel peace prize nominee, Jaha Dukureh is leading a movement as the UN Women Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Africa against FGM- Female Genital Mutilation. As one who has undergone this mutilation at the age of 1 wk old she actively speaks out against this culturally, unhealthy, damaging practice. Lets support this.
The #Me Too movement founded by Tarana Burke in 1998 has helped over 17 million women to be survivors of sexual violence. Empowering actresses, artists and all types of women from the homestead to the workplace, it seeks to companion women coming forward with their truths. To know socially no one is alone, for possible entrance into a place of healing and to disrupt the systems that perpetuate sexual violence, #Me too stands up for women.
Those movements have inspired many of today’s movements influencing young girls to speak out. Images of Isabelle Hutchins, Emma Ann Miller and Olympic medalist Simone Biles are just 3 of 265 people who have accused US Gymnast national team doctor Larry Nassar of criminal sexual conduct. In strength and numbers, these ladies have narrated their own horror stories and subsequent trauma such as anxiety, depression and suicide of others. How gutsy of them all for the hope of proper lawful justice which was partially awarded in a court decision to imprison Nassar for 125 years. Bravo ladies!
Lastly, Delaney Tarr and Emma Gonzalez amongst other peers cried out in public forum against gun violence that took the lives of their friends at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Feb 14, 2018. These young Minervas articulated boldly that mass gun violence shootings will end with them and will lead the way in the March for Our Lives on March 24 in Washington, DC. These organizers have collected millions in donations from such notables as George Clooney and Oprah Winfrey for an expected attendance of about 500,000 people. There is great prospect that this movement will prove to make a big impact on gun law reforms; making proud the school and perhaps the woman who gave it its moniker- Ms. Douglas, a 1900s advocate woman’s suffragist, an environmentalist fighter, a “fearless crusader” aka “The Grand Dame of the Everglades”.
Concern: How do you think Jesus would treat women today and feel for the plight of women? What “Grand Dame” matter can you pursue to uplift your fellow and future femmes locally, nationally even globally for potential historical (or her-storical) impact?
Encouragement: Jesus was a man of all times. Who used his time to change the times. He stood up for righteousness, he stood for women, became their voice when they were speechless- The woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery, the woman with the alabaster jar. Women are precious to God and our Father likens his heavenly fortress to womanly attributes in Psalms 46, to Jesus’ church in Ephesians 5, to wisdom in Luke 7 and also in Proverbs 1:20-21 “Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out at the city gate she makes her speech.” Sisters we are Lord adored.
Act: Esther and Ruth are forceful women who have books in the Bible named after them only- like Deborah. Deborah was a wife, poetess and outstanding warrior. Commentaries state she was an agitator stirring up public discussion, a ruler of Israel -leading God’s people including men, a spiritual mother to the nation and a prophetess whose heart was fixed on the mission of God. Her mind knowledgeable and discerning the plans of God who has richly endowed her with all ability to share with others-Woman! Every Woman.
Please Join me on this International Day of Prayer for Women worldwide.
Dear Father, please be with my sisters that I love from everywhere
Lean her into the arms of your Son Jesus who watches and cares
Guide and Protect her throughout the night and the day
Provide her with good gifts from above,
and may she trust You’re the Way.
In Jesus’ name I pray Amen.
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