Countdown 2010: Beyond the Decade

Sojourner Truth (1851) at Women‘s Rights gathering in Ohio

“If de fust woman God ever made was strong enough to turn de world upside down all alone, dese women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!”

--Quoted from Africana Woman/Her Story through Time

by Dr. Cynthia Jacobs Carter

As women contemplate all that they want to say for the new year, one can hear the voices of the ancestors urging us to speak up and speak out, to share our wisdom and vision, and to make way for building cultures of peace for every child in the world. To think about topics that may appeal to you, the following topics are offered for your consideration:

• What woman of your culture (past or present) speaks to the role of women as peacemakers?
• Where do you find woman should put their efforts in for this year? Over the next ten years?
• What would you like to change over the next year? The next decade? For this millennium?
• What have we done well?
• What can we do better?
• What would you like to see the political and government leaders of your country concentrate on this year? Over the next decade?
• What would you like to see religious and spiritual leaders do for the peace of the world?

     Still not sure what you want to contribute? Don't make this hard. Think about the conversations you are having each and every day with people you trust, that you bounce an idea off of, that you cry with, laugh with and recreate those conversations here. Only think about a place in the world that you've dreamed of and write to a woman there. Share your ideas of what a better world will look like and perhaps that woman that you know only in your imagination will write back. Conversations start that way and dialogue can lead to greater understanding. Still not sure? Here are a few examples of what women are saying:    
     Sandy Westin (NC, USA) offers the following quote: “S/he who makes a life-long hobby out of building and holding resentments will never run out of opportunities and material. But they will also never experience peace.”
     Betsey Stang (NY, USA) writes: “As we move into 2012, it is time for the Earth to rebalance. The voice of women is vital to this. The traditional Maya can only do many of their most sacred ceremonies if both a man and a woman are present and participate. What is done to women is what is done to the Earth. May we all overcome our fears and have the courage to speak authentically.”
     Annirene Nyambura Munda (Kenya, Africa) writes: “Accepting our respective joys and strifes, yet upholding the sacredness of what womanness is, for such of joys and strife touch our little worlds, to bigger worlds, to the world as it is known to all. Thanks Ma'.”
     Barbara Malloy Morin (Houston, USA) writes: “In 2010 I want to share with women of all ages ways to maintain a purposefully, peaceful attitude by maintaining healthy bodies and learning nurturing, soothing, calming behaviors as well as by ingesting healthy foods and absorbing positive, inspirational thoughts maximizing the ability to detoxify body, mind and spirit, allowing for the soul's inner light to develop into illuminating, protective corona warming every life it touches. May the HALO of Peace Illuminate the Earth throughout this year and all years to come.”
     In a few short sentences, these women engage the senses. How would you respond to them? What questions need asking, what conversations need starting? Think about this and more and I believe that you have something to say. Next, contact us at sisteriisister@thepeacehour.org. This blog belongs to all who participate. Join the conversation for 2010. Your reward is waiting for you--as are the rewards of those who will benefit from your wisdom. Peace. Oh, and Happy New Year 2010!