In preparation for International Women’s Day coming up this March 8, I’ve been reading Half the Sky by Nick Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. It’s a surprisingly easy read for something so rooted in the global oppression of the poor, the sick, the uneducated and the female. I consider myself an informed person. I pay attention to the world around me and I try to make a difference when and where I can. But I got a little blindsided by some of the stories in this book. Women around the world have started to take it upon themselves to throw off the shackles of oppression and create opportunity from virtually nothing. Individual women in different parts of the world are starting their own businesses, hospitals, banks and charitable organizations to help other women. And all this they do at great personal peril.

I found myself ashamed for ever saying, “I can’t” or “it’s too hard” about anything I wanted to accomplish. If Woineshet, a young Ethiopian woman, can recover from brutal gang rapings and rise up to fight for justice for others, surely I can make a significant contribution from where I sit. If Goretti, a Burundian woman can wriggle out from under her husband’s thumb to join hands with other local women in a microlending group, I can certainly at least help fund that effort. I don’t make a ton of money, but what might be a small amount for me can be life-changing for a woman in a developing country. One of the most beautiful things about women is how focused we are on family and community.

I’ve been an anti-poverty activist for a long time now. I’ve lobbied Congressmen and Senators to step up and help America do its share. I've written Op-Eds and letters to editors to raise the profiles of crucial issues. I’ve traveled to other countries to put my shoulder to the wheel from time to time. But now I’m looking for more. I’m looking for a way to take the responsibility off lawmakers’ shoulders and put it squarely on my own. I really hope that International Women’s Day in a couple of weeks will spark some real motivation for change.  The thing is, Angelina Jolie can’t adopt ALL the children, hard as she might try. Oprah and Bono can’t get this thing done on their own. It’s going to take us—the people, the women—to force change in our generation. 

So, about that movie. Check out Half the Sky LIVE next Thursday, March 4 at a theater near you. It’s a documentary and panel discussion highlighting some of the amazing stories relayed in the powerful book. The screening is sponsored by Atlanta-based CARE which is making amazing strides with their I Am Powerful campaign supporting women worldwide. The film features a short film about Woineshet directed by Marisa Tomei and a new original song by India.Arie.  

The title of the book and the movie, Half the Sky, comes from a Chinese proverb that says "women hold up half the sky." These women aren't charity cases. They are strong, determined, brave, beautiful women who can pull themselves and their countries up with just a little help. I’m totally up for it. Who’s with me?