Introduction

From Eve, the first mother of humanity who experienced homelessness, poverty, the death of a child, shame and blame to Immaculee Ilibagiza, a Rwandan refugee who writes in her critically acclaimed book Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust of the healing power of God’s love to forgive even the greatest oppressor, women throughout the nations are blessing the world with their presence, strength, fortitude, intellect, savvy and heart to overcome the seemingly insurmountable. In Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe and Oceania, there are known and unknown women who are advocating, laboring, praying, and fasting for all to have peace, clean and running water, social and economic empowerment, decent and affordable housing, adequate and formal education, quality and affordable healthcare, racial, economic and social justice, nutritional food to eat and a place to rest from harms way. In every country, one will find a woman contending a form of oppression and depression named, inequality, HIV/AIDS, human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, violence against women, unemployment, social exclusion, disease, famine, poverty, abuse, and or some form of spiritual or physical war. One will also find women heads of government, heads of state, politicians, entrepreneurs, presidents, educators, farmers, astronauts, engineers, musicians, clergy, laborers, atheletes, scientists, thinkers and nurturers who excel within in their fields to not only make their lives better but to assure a better day for generations born and to come. Therefore, my sister, my brother, my child and friend, celebrate with me the indomitable spirit and hand of God that not only lies upon men and children, but also upon women! Celebrate with me for God gives all the power to triumph over the sufferings of this present time to hope and to look for better days ahead. Journey with me as I briefly reflect upon a few contributions of women throughout the world who have determined to allow God’s healing love at work within them to transform the nations. Relax in your seat, take a deep breath and meet them at the wells of life. God is not dead. God is alive. Thanks be to God.

At the well called “survive” you will find her- her eyes pierce the soul. Her hair is a bit disheveled. She may even have some type of band around her head to keep her sweat from clouding her eyes. Her feet are worn and her legs are tired from walking miles to gather water for herself and for her family. Her clothing is tattered and torn from several washes and from her daily journeys. Her hands are slightly rough from cultivating and gathering food –yet, she wasn’t aware that she was an agriculturalist, a farmer, a trader. Her home consists of two rooms yet she always seems to have space for those who come to her in need; not to mention housing her own children. Her faith in God is strong inspite of what she sees. She works while it is day for at night there is no electricty to illumine her pathway. My friend, she is so beautiful, so smart, so incredible that her informal education and conventional wisdom enable her to wear many hats without a formal instructor. She enlightens all who have the joy of her presence and she insists that her children and those she rears have a decent education and a better life—do you know her, will you look for her or someone like her and say, I thank God for you.

At the well called “restoration” you will find her on her knees praying and sometimes crying out to God not because her life is spiraling out of control (however, it sometimes seems that way) but because she can’t believe that God would hear her voice in the wilderness (the wilderness of her home or barren place); that God would allow her to overcome the very obstacles, abusers, and abuses that came to destroy her life . She goes to work everyday and few (if any) know of her pain or of the things that she’s lived through. She too is a survivor, a career woman, a powerplayer and a beautifully painted picture with God’s fingerprints that says to the world, I lived through a form of hell on earth and God has restored my very life. God is able to turn mourning into dancing—don’t give up and keep the faith. She encourages all with her story. She has encouraged you and is evidence of forgiveness, restoration and love walking. She too is beautiful. She is smart and worthy of unconditional love. Do you know her, will you look for her or someone like her and say, I thank God for you.

Women have courageous stories to tell, ask them to share their stories and listen to them. Write their stories upon the tablets of your heart and hold them close. This March we celebrate not just the names we know, but every woman; for every woman has “greatness” within her for she is fearfully and wonderfully created by God. My friend, make a covenant to encourage the women within your life; to praise God for the women’s organizations who continue to unite on behalf of the issues that affect the livelihood of us all; to advocate for women’s rights and justice on behalf of women; and to give of your time, talent and finances to an organization that is bettering the lives of women (and children and men). God is alive and I thank God for you all.