March 8th, 2011 – International Women’s Day2011
“…in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice or Representation.” Abigail Adams‘ letter to her husband john Adams, March 31, 1776
A fitting quote for International Women’s Day with the resounding cry “Remember the Ladies!”. Its time to pause, take a look at history and celebrate Women. Thousands of events around the globe will be held for the sole purpose of inspiring women and celebrating women’s achievements. This year is significant as it has been 100 years since the first International Women’s Day celebration held in 1911. Some of the world-wide events include Cairo activists calling for a million women to march, Australia Post releasing a commemorative stamp honoring four women while Air India is running all women crew flights in honor of this day.
In the myriad of blogs, online news articles and other media stories you will find much news on the day and the issue of women – work for women, equality, fair wages, childcare, places to breastfeed without feeling like you’re committing an indecent act and more. But the story I want to relay is a story you won’t hear in mainstream media sources and as I think of the purpose of International Women’s Day, I think on this women as a picture of persistence, entrepreneurship and hope.
Day two of flood relief in Pakistan saw us at a Baloch village. Maybe it was because it was day two and the excitement was now coupled with exhaustion and recognition of how limited our skills were within our current context but everything felt a bit more difficult. As we were packing up after a busy morning of multiple cases of malaria and malnutrition a woman arrived at the village where we had set up camp. She was accompanied by two other women and after walking over a mile in one hundred degree heat approached the men in our group unafraid to voice the need at her village. “We’re just a short distance away! Why can’t you come to our village?” She was indignant as she looked around and said”We have needs there too!” And so we went. The coldest of hearts could not have refused her persuasive words and our hearts were warm.
Arriving at the village it was a whirlwind camp set up, a quick plea for triage from the doctor, and patients, accompanied by diagnosis and treatment papers, quickly seen and sent off with the right medications. In the midst of this we learned the story of our strong woman friend. She was a widow with eight children. She was a seamstress and proudly sewed for her family and others in the village. Her livelihood had been severely compromised by loss of her sewing machine during the flood. Her story was compelling and her spirit did not call for sympathy or pity, rather it called for partnership.
And we were the ones who knew the need, had the resources and could be partners in moving her back to a place of economic freedom where she could continue her work, her parenting, and her contribution to the village. Our team leader along with the Marwari men, the organizers of all our work, located the perfect sewing machine in the Shikarpur bazaar. It was not electric so could be used despite the frequent power outages and it was shiny, bright and perfect for our entrepreneur. The sewing machine was purchased and the task was now to find the time during our schedule to return to the village.
The perfect time came as we discussed what to do during our last day in Pakistan. We knew the work of running another medical clinic and felt it was not possible. The decision was made to return to this village with a plan to do some teaching of basic public health, relay some stories of faith in the midst of tragedy and top it off with mithai (Pakistani sweets) and delivery of the sewing machine.
I’ll never forget the corporate joy expressed both visibly and verbally by the entire village. Our lovely lady could not rip open the plastic protective covering fast enough. There it was. Shiny and perfect. A symbol of restoration, hope and resourcefulness. The last memory we carried with us was the woman dancing, the machine balanced perfectly on her head with her smile radiating from her heart to her face, accompanied by men, women and children in the village.
Women worldwide don’t need pity but we all need partnerships and some could sure use a sewing machine so today “Remember the Ladies!”
Bloggers Note: Pakistan continues to struggle with floods, assassinations and turmoil. Below are recent articles on several of these events to keep them in the minds of many of us who have a deep love for the country and people. If you are just tuning in to this blog please take a look at the series on Pakistan giving you more background information and other stories.
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Marilyn R. Gardner 
Well written, Marilyn. Polly has articulated what we all feel.
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And you and Polly have known many such women in your lives. Thanks for setting the example of loving women whom on the surface didn’t necessarily appear to have much in common with you.
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Dear Marilyn, you have brought me to tears again. May God have mercy on the millions of women around the world who have no voice and know nothing of an International Women’s Day! And on us who so easily forget them and take our own privileges and freedoms for granted. Thanks so much.
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Amen to this comment. More and more I am longing to speak out for those with no voice. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
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