Celebrations will be held all over the world this week as we honor women in the workplace, women business owners, women in government, women in the corporate world, and women who stay home and take care of the family.

Last Thursday, March 5, I attended the movie “A Powerful Noise” presented by CARE.  It is a story of three women making a difference in Mali, Vietnam, and Bosnia.  There are thousands of stories like these where women are helping young girls and boys learn about HIV/Aids, education boys and girls in language skills, or using their voice to demand justice for others.  We celebrate all of them this week!

As you know, there are 1.6 billion people in this world who live in poverty.  Seventy six percent of those are women.  Education is key to helping them out of poverty and into the world of feeding their families and building their communities.

This is what the Institute is all about.   Education!  Education to be self-sufficient.  Education to be a voice.  Education to help others by paying forward our successes.

Although we have been closer to women in Afghanistan and Rwanda, the Institute celebrates women all over the world who are working every day to build their business and rebuild their countries.  From the unique traditional dress of the Afghan provinces to the beautiful and expressive dances of the Rwandan women, we celebrate and honor all of them!

This summer we will have 30 women from Afghanistan and Rwanda in the United States.  They have businesses in travel, retaurants, beauty salons, ball and leather making, embroideries, jewelry, bed and breakfast and many more.  Look outside yourself—think about giving back while you are still living.  Be a mentor to one of these women, share your talents, your wisdom and power.

To sign up for our mentor pool:  click here

Celebrate women everywhere this week.

She who rocks the cradle, rules the world!