She's (Rarely) the Boss ~ Kristof

Check out this interesting article by Nicholas Kristof regarding women in leadership:

www.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/opinion/sunday/kristof-shes-rarely-the-boss.html?_r=1&

A Day to Smile

If there was ever a day to smile, today is the day!  The sun is out and it's only -10 degrees Celsius (unlike the week we've had where the temperature and windchill hovered around -40 - not quite cold enough to cancel school, but cold enough nonetheless!).  I have survived another teaching term outside of my teachable areas which will end on Tuesday and, more importantly, I am preparing to start another term for the second semester that is full time AND math!  I've got a great little basement suite where I live, in a country that I am proud to live in (in spite of the weather!).  And most importantly I have surrounded myself with tremendous people - friends, counselor, colleagues, pastors, yoga instructors, etc - that support me in my journey and process of healing.  So I'm just taking some time to enjoy all those blessings, which doesn't make life perfect but they certainly make the journey better, as I continue to walk step by step.

CNN: Afghans Sell Daughters to Pay Drug Lords

 

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com

CNN: Trafficking Survivor: It's time to help others

I know I've posted a lot of articles and videos lately, specifically about human trafficking, but that's partly because January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month (at least in the US).  So please read the article and pass on the information to others.

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/17/trafficking-survivor-its-time-to-help-others

MP Joy Smith Speaks at the Winnipeg Free Press News Cafe

Check out the Winnipeg Free Press article and video of MP Joy Smith speaking out about human trafficking:

www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/mp-smith-out-to-stop-trafficking-in-humans-188173671.html

P.S. - And if I didn't love Joy Smith enough before (how could she not be a hero of mine when she was able to get 2 private member's bills passed in Parliament?!?), after watching the video I found out that she was a math and science teacher!!  YOU ROCK JOY!!

Girl Rising

girlrising.com

Standing up for Rape Victims

I meant to post this when I first saw the article, but somehow the week got away on me.  An important read nonetheless - check out Lisa Shannon's article:

kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/16/in-meeting-with-somali-president-clinton-should-stand-up-for-rape-victims/#more-11887

I Have a Dream ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1UV1fs8lAbg

Rebelle (War Witch)

Up for an Oscar, the Canadian film Rebelle (originally in French - War Witch is the English subtitled version) is a hard watch, but puts the issue of child soldiers on center stage.  It is a heart-breaking story of a girl and her story as she prepares to deliver a baby, conceived through rape by the rebel leader.  There is not much dialogue, so be patient because at times you might not know what's going on - it all gets explained at some point.

warwitch.com

CNN: Sex Slave Ring Busted by Federal Agents

 

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com

CNN: A Life Saved

Check out this CNN article about the work that organizations like World Vision do on the ground to affect real change in people's lives:

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/15/a-life-saved-how-a-u-s-law-helps-fight-slavery

And then head over to World Vision's website and see how you can get involved:

www.worldvision.ca

Sandy Hook Promise

One month ago, our world changed. . .

www.sandyhookpromise.org

Is Delhi So Different From Steubenville?

I posted a similar article from CNN the other day, so certainly the issue of violence against women, both locally and globally, has really taken the 'spotlight' again.  If anyone knows anything about women's issues, it's Nicholas Kristof (the book he co-wrote with his wife Sheryl WuDunn called Half the Sky is a MUST read if you want to learn more about women's issues).  Here's his latest take:

www.nytimes.com/2013/01/13/opinion/sunday/is-delhi-so-different-from-steubenville.html

Wide & Long & High & Deep

"For this reason I kneel before the Father,

from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power

through his Spirit in your inner being,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

may have power, together with all the saints,

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

according to his power that is at work within us,

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,

for ever and ever!

Amen."

Ephesians 3:14 - 21

CNN: Saudi Execution: Brutal, Inhuman and Illegal?

Check out the following CNN article and videos about Saudi Arabia:

www.cnn.com/2013/01/10/opinion/saudi-arabia-sri-lankan-maid-opinion/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn

CNN: It's time for anti-slavery action, Mr. President

Check out this CNN article at:

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/10/its-time-for-anti-slavery-action-mr-president

Joy Smith Foundation

I appreciate all the work that Joy Smith (MP) has done within our government system in the fight against human trafficking and am excited to be able to highlight her foundation:  www.joysmithfoundation.com.  Check it out for yourself and see how you might get involved.

CNN: Teach Young Men to Treat Women with Respect

Check out the following CNN article and videos:

www.cnn.com/2013/01/04/opinion/hanna-ohio-rape/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29

Red is the New. . .

 

www.intlprincess.org

CNN: Christian Students Pledge to End Slavery

 

thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com

Somaly Mam & Half the Sky

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuKygSFJBYs&feature=player_embedded

The Year of the Lord's Favor

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor;

he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

to grant to those who mourn in Zion-

to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

that they may be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

They shall build up the ancient ruins;

they shall raise up the former devastations;

they shall repair the ruined cities,

the devastations of many generations."

~Isaiah 61:1-4