The poem below was written as I laid in bed within the comfort of my pristine Darien, Connecticut, apartment following a trip to Africa. I was bubbling with anger. Incensed. Down right pissed at my helpless reality. I could feel it slapping my face … punching my soul … kicking my sensibilities. Here’s what flowed from my soul.
GIVE RISE!
Do you wanna know
the injustices on women?
What will you do then?
Do you really wanna know?
Female infanticide
Child pornography
Sex Trafficking ... AIDS!
What will it take?!
Early marriage
Early child birth
Fistula's, FGM, STDs ... AIDS!
What will it take?!
Beaten & raped
Abandoned & homeless
UN Peacekeepers, Ha! ... AIDS!
What will it take?!
Do you wanna know
the injustices on women?
What will you do then?
Do you really wanna know?
Held back ... held down
Shut up ... Shut out
What's her dowry now? ... AIDS!
No voice
No choice
No chance ...
Give RISE! Give RISE!
to tomorrow ... Give RISE!
She's your daughter
She's your sister
She's your mother
Give RISE!
She's your friend
She's your neighbor
She's our tomorrow
Give RISE!
Give RISE! Give RISE!
to tomorrow ... Give RISE!
Be the voice
Make a choice
Take a chance ... Give RISE!
So what was it that tripped my proverbial trigger? Apathy. Apathy and ignorance among the vast population of educated adults – especially women – who have been exposed to the well-documented atrocities waged against women and girls every day.
What fueled the flame of my mental torture and spiritual battle was knowing that the potential – HUGE POTENTIAL – to course-correct this injustice lie dormant within society’s reach.
Consider this dichotomy1:
§ Women work 2/3 of the world’s working hours and produce ½ of the world’s food, yet …
§ They earn only 10% of the world’s income, and own less than 1% of the world’s property.
Got that?
Now compare that to THIS:
§ Women control 60% of U.S. wealth2;
§ Women comprise 43% of the population within the wealthiest tier of the country (individuals with assets of at least $1.5 million) 2;
§ $2.1 trillion in wealth is held by high-net-worth single women2;
§ Women are responsible for 83% of consuming purchases2;
§ Women will inherit 70% of the $41 trillion in intergenerational wealth transfer expected over the next 40 years3;
§ Women own a 50% or larger stake in 10.1 million privately held companies4; and,
§ Companies owned by women have $2.32 trillion in sales and employ just over 18.2 million people nationwide4
Finally, contrast women’s financial power and prowess to their limited power and exposure within current corporate ranks5:
- Women held 15.2% Fortune 500 corporate board seats in 2009, the same as in 2008, up from 14.8% in 2007 and 14.6% in 2006;
- Women held 13.5% (697 out of 5,161) Fortune 500 executive officer positions by in 2009;
- Only 2.4% of the CEO’s in the U.S. are women;
- 6.3% of Fortune 500 top earners are women;
- Whereas, 51.4% of management, professional and related occupations are held by women; and,
- 46.7% of the U.S. labor force is made up of women.
In addition to controlling wealth and consumer activity, women tend to donate more of their wealth than men do. A Barclay's Wealth study titled Tomorrow's Philanthropist, released in July 2009, showed that women in the U.S. give an average of 3.5% of their wealth to charity, while men give an average of 1.8%.3
What does this say to you?? To me, it says: Women are one AMAZING, incalculable force to bring about transformational social change. But that’s ONLY if we are WILLING to step up and do something.
I realized right then, in my comfy Connecticut cocoon, I had a responsibility. I just didn’t know exactly what it was. My fire and passion were too much to write off as a passing peri-menopause-emotional hotflash. It was clear: apathy would not be a word to describe me. I needed to make sure I made each day count.
THAT’s what it’s ALL about, isn’t it – making each day count – recognizing God’s dynamic ever-presence in our lives – and how we might somehow be like Abraham – blessed to be a blessing? There’s a reason Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life book sold a bazillion copies … worldwide.
So, the first step I took was to create my life’s mission statement, which is: To engage with people in life-changing experiences serving others in need through a sacred exchange, motivated by the heart of Christ and to the glory of God.
And this is what guides my life decisions. I tell my stepkids, “You get what you give.” Or, biblically speaking: We reap what we sow … so we need to plant abundantly, water often and be present in our garden – one never knows what will spring forth or when – for the fruit of our life’s harvest will be determined by how we invest our heart, mind and God-given potential.
The more you know, the better seeds you’ll sow and the more beautiful your life garden will grow.
Join me in embedding VoChoCha into your heart. Be the voice, make the choice and give the chance to those without one … today.
Susan Sorensen Langer is founder of Mosaic Mindshare (www.mosaicmindshare.com) with a 25-year career in marketing, management and major donor fundraising.
Mosaic Mindshare. Observers. Planners. Connectors.
Organizations that effectively serve and support Women and Girls in Need
Resources on Women and Philanthropy
Sources
1World Vision
2Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University
3Boston College's Center on Wealth and Philanthropy
4Center for Women's Business Reseach (www.womensbusinessresearch.com)
5www.catalyst.org/publication/219/statistical-overview-of-women-in-the-workplace
Hi, Susan,
ReplyDeleteThis is great. Betty was right. We have a lot in common. Have you heard Holly Near's song, Somebody's Jail? Check out Holly @ HollyNear.com. Excellent work and advocacy for women--and an incredible musician.
Peace,
Joy!