Women For Women, Join Me on the Bridge, 2011

Women for Women International was founded by Zainab Salbi in 1993, and has since empowered more than 299,000 women survivors of war to reclaim their lives, with direct aid, rights education, job skills training, and small business education, distributing over ninety-five million dollars in direct aid. They have mobilized more than 250,000 women and men in 130 countries to support women world-wide.

This March there were 464 events in over 70 countries in which supporters met on the second "Join Me on the Bridge" day for the 100th International Women's Day.

Go to the Women for Women Bridge Event to see photos of the events,
or to their website, Women for Women, to find out how you can get involved.

Their vision

“Women for Women International envisions a world where no one is abused, poor, illiterate or marginalized; where members of communities have full and equal participation in the processes that ensure their health, well-being and economic independence; and where everyone has the freedom to define the scope of their life, their future and strive to achieve their full potential.”

My personal experience of The Bridge

I had the joy of meeting people - women, and men - who care deeply about women victims of war - enough to take the time to meet for this event on  on the Duke Ellington Bridge, in Washington, DC. It was a cool, cloudy day and we held up placards, and talked to passers-by about the need to care, and help. Some of the women were college students, and a few were members of other women's groups. It was a deeply inspiring experience, and I made new friends, and learned of some local women's groups I will contact. It's a great feeling to get involved, and do good. It empowers us, also, as we feel, and know that we can make a difference in this troubled world. And that means a lot. That's me, second from the far left with the black boots and sunglasses!