The Century of Women : from the desk of I am Woman
“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”
? William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice.
Even a tiny lamp can light up a room that has been in dark for thousands of years. Every woman who has ever stood up for any of her rights has been that lamp… For decades we have focussed on the poor state of women in our societies. Around the world, there seems to be an ongoing struggle for women to maintain their existence. We have spoken out to gain suffrage, equal wages, time off from jobs to deliver babies, stood up and fought against the atrocities, violence, inequality and discrimination.
While this is the truth about the state of women in today’s world; yet, a dichotomous fact is also that today’s women are breaking every frontier of the universe. They are doctors, scientists, leaders, astronauts, thinkers, philosophers, artists, teachers, soldiers and have caused their presence in every possible avenue of society. Women today walk shoulder to shoulder with the men and are holding up their half of the sky. While they go about their unending responsibilities of being mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and friends; standing as boulders of strength and comfort for others, they are exploring new horizons of accomplishments in their own lives.
However, fact remains that women intrinsically and naturally put others before the self, in time, we ourselves begin to put our own selves on the back burners of priorities. In a while, we get so used to not treating ourselves as important that we fall off that priority list altogether.
That marginalization that is either self-imposed or via the society; calls for the birth of an initiative that reminds every single woman of her own inner uniqueness, her highest potential, her innate power – that she may discover it, tap into it and grow and develop from it.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.”
? Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches
I am Woman is that tiny lamp that wishes to light up the life of every woman with the songs that celebrate that spirit of womanhood, the feminine power that has emerged in spite of the inequality, despite the discrimination, notwithstanding the injustice and regardless of the subjugation. That resilient light that shines, no matter what obstructs its path, that lights up even the tiniest corners that have remained in the dark since centuries. It is a movement to honour her primordial strength and her substance. Dedicated to honour every woman’s journey, every woman’s story, every woman’s struggle and triumph. An achievement that might not have yet been identified by even her own self…
I am Woman has been conceived by everyday women, who live everyday lives, who strive to conquest over the everyday struggles but are passionate about honouring the inner self and dignity. We recognise the beauty, the strength and the potential in ourselves and every single woman around us. We are dedicated to celebrate and honour our journey and also that of all women around us.
Today there is a large number of initiatives and agencies dedicated to work with the destitute, battered, at risk or struggling women. There are also a fair number of initiatives targeted at the women in boardrooms. In all these however, the average everyday woman who goes about her daily business, in her personal or professional life gets easily overlooked.
It is a fact that women love to learn and be inspired by one another. They love to share their own stories so they may inspire others to grow. What better than to create an oasis where likeminded women could gather, share, learn, develop, nourish and enrich one another and in doing so, themselves? A community where women can take out a moment for themselves from their busy schedules, pay tribute to and cherish their own inner goddess that awaits expression. And then having been enriched by the experience go forth and be the best of who they are – the best mothers, wives, lovers, sisters, friends, professionals, diplomats….best of whoever they are and where ever they might be.
So having been conceptualised in New Zealand, the concept travelled to Europe where at a Women’s Empowerment Conference in Florence, Italy, it was shared with likeminded women. The encouraging reception at Florence and the joint intention of the feminine power found the concept travelling to the United States where the foundation of the New York Chapter was laid. The team at I am Woman is extremely excited at the warm and encouraging response it has received from some outstanding women in the community in New Zealand. Transcending the barriers of colour, culture and creed, we are working to bring forward the philosophy and purpose of I am Woman, to bring every single woman to the fore, from where she grows.
One of the great thinkers and philosophers of our time Dr Daisaku Ikeda said - “The Earth gives people life; nations take it from them. The Earth nourishes life; nations throw it away. If nations are the products of men squabbling for territory and influence, then the Earth is the realm of mothers. This realm of mothers, who love life, is far greater and grander than the nation-states created by men. The twenty-first century will be the century of life. It will be the century of women”. (Dr Daisaku Ikeda, SGI Newsletter, Aug-Sept, 1998, p. 106)
Speaking at the 39th Annual Commencement LaGuardia Community College Michelle Bachelet, the head of UN Women said - “ The 21st century will be the century of girls and women. And I am not just saying this to you as the head of UN Women. Secretary of State Clinton echoed this belief in a very important speech she gave in San Francisco less than a week ago. It is true that today girls in many countries are not given the opportunity to attend school. It is true that today less than one in five legislators are women. It is true that today only 20 of 193 nations are headed by a woman President or Prime Minister.And it is true that everyday, 1000 women die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth for lack of medical care.
Yet, the tide is turning. So maybe there's only 20 women Heads of State now but that's a lot more than just a few years ago. Just two days ago, I witnessed Dilma Rousseff, the President of Brazil, opening the United Nations General Assembly. She was the first woman to do so since the creation of the organization in 1945. This was a moment that I will never forget.
And, all over the world, there is increasing understanding of the need to unleash the untapped potential of girls and women.”
As we begin this journey here in New Zealand, we call forth all who care to join us in celebrating this awesome spirit of the feminine. This celebration of womanhood. As we await to spread our wings and claim our skies we invite you all to become our strength and in turn be strengthened. If you have an inspiring journey that you want to share it with us, we would love to hear from you. If at first you do not wish to share your song, just come along for the ride of your life – the leap from average to awesome!! Contact us on iamwoman@xtra.co.nz and like us on facebook www.facebook.com/womanunlimited
I am Peace, I am love, I am Compassion, I am Earth, I am Life, I am Nature – I am Woman.
“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.” ? William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice. Even a tiny lamp can light up a room that has been in dark for thousands of years. Every woman who has ever stood up for any of her rights has been that lamp… For...
“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”
? William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice.
Even a tiny lamp can light up a room that has been in dark for thousands of years. Every woman who has ever stood up for any of her rights has been that lamp… For decades we have focussed on the poor state of women in our societies. Around the world, there seems to be an ongoing struggle for women to maintain their existence. We have spoken out to gain suffrage, equal wages, time off from jobs to deliver babies, stood up and fought against the atrocities, violence, inequality and discrimination.
While this is the truth about the state of women in today’s world; yet, a dichotomous fact is also that today’s women are breaking every frontier of the universe. They are doctors, scientists, leaders, astronauts, thinkers, philosophers, artists, teachers, soldiers and have caused their presence in every possible avenue of society. Women today walk shoulder to shoulder with the men and are holding up their half of the sky. While they go about their unending responsibilities of being mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and friends; standing as boulders of strength and comfort for others, they are exploring new horizons of accomplishments in their own lives.
However, fact remains that women intrinsically and naturally put others before the self, in time, we ourselves begin to put our own selves on the back burners of priorities. In a while, we get so used to not treating ourselves as important that we fall off that priority list altogether.
That marginalization that is either self-imposed or via the society; calls for the birth of an initiative that reminds every single woman of her own inner uniqueness, her highest potential, her innate power – that she may discover it, tap into it and grow and develop from it.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.”
? Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches
I am Woman is that tiny lamp that wishes to light up the life of every woman with the songs that celebrate that spirit of womanhood, the feminine power that has emerged in spite of the inequality, despite the discrimination, notwithstanding the injustice and regardless of the subjugation. That resilient light that shines, no matter what obstructs its path, that lights up even the tiniest corners that have remained in the dark since centuries. It is a movement to honour her primordial strength and her substance. Dedicated to honour every woman’s journey, every woman’s story, every woman’s struggle and triumph. An achievement that might not have yet been identified by even her own self…
I am Woman has been conceived by everyday women, who live everyday lives, who strive to conquest over the everyday struggles but are passionate about honouring the inner self and dignity. We recognise the beauty, the strength and the potential in ourselves and every single woman around us. We are dedicated to celebrate and honour our journey and also that of all women around us.
Today there is a large number of initiatives and agencies dedicated to work with the destitute, battered, at risk or struggling women. There are also a fair number of initiatives targeted at the women in boardrooms. In all these however, the average everyday woman who goes about her daily business, in her personal or professional life gets easily overlooked.
It is a fact that women love to learn and be inspired by one another. They love to share their own stories so they may inspire others to grow. What better than to create an oasis where likeminded women could gather, share, learn, develop, nourish and enrich one another and in doing so, themselves? A community where women can take out a moment for themselves from their busy schedules, pay tribute to and cherish their own inner goddess that awaits expression. And then having been enriched by the experience go forth and be the best of who they are – the best mothers, wives, lovers, sisters, friends, professionals, diplomats….best of whoever they are and where ever they might be.
So having been conceptualised in New Zealand, the concept travelled to Europe where at a Women’s Empowerment Conference in Florence, Italy, it was shared with likeminded women. The encouraging reception at Florence and the joint intention of the feminine power found the concept travelling to the United States where the foundation of the New York Chapter was laid. The team at I am Woman is extremely excited at the warm and encouraging response it has received from some outstanding women in the community in New Zealand. Transcending the barriers of colour, culture and creed, we are working to bring forward the philosophy and purpose of I am Woman, to bring every single woman to the fore, from where she grows.
One of the great thinkers and philosophers of our time Dr Daisaku Ikeda said - “The Earth gives people life; nations take it from them. The Earth nourishes life; nations throw it away. If nations are the products of men squabbling for territory and influence, then the Earth is the realm of mothers. This realm of mothers, who love life, is far greater and grander than the nation-states created by men. The twenty-first century will be the century of life. It will be the century of women”. (Dr Daisaku Ikeda, SGI Newsletter, Aug-Sept, 1998, p. 106)
Speaking at the 39th Annual Commencement LaGuardia Community College Michelle Bachelet, the head of UN Women said - “ The 21st century will be the century of girls and women. And I am not just saying this to you as the head of UN Women. Secretary of State Clinton echoed this belief in a very important speech she gave in San Francisco less than a week ago. It is true that today girls in many countries are not given the opportunity to attend school. It is true that today less than one in five legislators are women. It is true that today only 20 of 193 nations are headed by a woman President or Prime Minister.And it is true that everyday, 1000 women die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth for lack of medical care.
Yet, the tide is turning. So maybe there's only 20 women Heads of State now but that's a lot more than just a few years ago. Just two days ago, I witnessed Dilma Rousseff, the President of Brazil, opening the United Nations General Assembly. She was the first woman to do so since the creation of the organization in 1945. This was a moment that I will never forget.
And, all over the world, there is increasing understanding of the need to unleash the untapped potential of girls and women.”
As we begin this journey here in New Zealand, we call forth all who care to join us in celebrating this awesome spirit of the feminine. This celebration of womanhood. As we await to spread our wings and claim our skies we invite you all to become our strength and in turn be strengthened. If you have an inspiring journey that you want to share it with us, we would love to hear from you. If at first you do not wish to share your song, just come along for the ride of your life – the leap from average to awesome!! Contact us on iamwoman@xtra.co.nz and like us on facebook www.facebook.com/womanunlimited
I am Peace, I am love, I am Compassion, I am Earth, I am Life, I am Nature – I am Woman.
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