Wednesday, March 10, 2010
31 Days of Amazing Women: Zainab Salbi
(My apologies for Day #9 being a little late… A stomach bug laid out the Stefanski family yesterday. But onwards and updards.)
March 9th has us looking at the inspiring Zainab Salbi.
Zainab is many things—an author, an activist, and a nonprofit leader. She’s the founder of Women for Women International, a nonprofit organization which enables women in the US to help women in post conflict societies rebuild their lives and the lives of their families. Their theory of change is not dissimilar to the Maine Women’s Fund:
“Women for Women International believes that when women are well, sustain an income, are decision-makers, and have strong social networks and safety-nets, they are in a much stronger position to advocate for their rights. This philosophy and our commitment to local leadership builds change and capacity at the grassroots level.”
There is a boldness that comes when women in post conflict societies reclaim their lives, standing up in the face of violence, standing up without resources, which always inspires me. This boldness is part of Zainab’s own story, as told in Between Two Worlds, unfolding during tyranny in Iraq. Zainab’s recent book, The Other Side of War, shares more of these stories. Below is an audio selection from the book, narrated by Alice Walker. Listen and rejoice.
