March 8, 2012, dawned sunny and warm in New York. It was a perfect day for our Join Me on the Bridge event in celebration of International Women’s Day. This year’s event was focused on the plight of the women in Congo.

The day began in Cadman Plaza Park, where hundreds gathered on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge. WBLL Executive Director and event organizer, Norma Loeb, opened the day with inspiring words about our 100,000 Voices Project on behalf of the women of Congo. She introduced Zainab Salbi of Women for Women, International, who spoke passionately about the need for women to stand together. Reverend Kathleen Casserly prepared us to walk the bridge together with moving words that inspired deep connection.

From there, people walked across the bridge in conversation and conscious connection. When we reached the Manhattan side, we gathered in City Hall Park for a full program of performers and speakers. The program included Carla Goldstein of the Women’s Institute at Omega, Bibiane Tshefu of WILPF-NY;s Congolese Women’s Justice Project, Mallika Dutt of Breakthrough, Susan Davis, founder of BRAC, Arthur Lundquist of NOW, Myron Rolle of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Victoria Pannell of Youth Move. Twelve-year-old Victoria’s impassioned plea on behalf of the Congolese women was a highlight of the event.

In addition to the speakers, music was provided by the Manhattan Girls Chorus and Michelle Cleary who sang original songs composed for the event.

We hope the day will serve as a catalyst to deeper conversation and action on behalf of the women of Congo and all women globally.

Liz Gannon-Graydon, Co-Founder of What BETTER Looks Like

Myron Rolle, Pittsburg Steeler/ Rhodes Scholar

Zainab Salbi, Founder of Women For Women International

Victorial Pannell of Youth Move

Congolese Community of Central New York

The Manhattan Girls Chorus

Attendees from Northport High School

PHOTOS COURTESY ANDREA REESE © 2012

1)  If you make a $20 donation and type “TOTE BAG” in the NOTE section under the donate button (to your right), we will send you a numbered, eco-friendly tote bag so you can be part of the 100,000 Voices helping to spread the message of the Congolese people and their desperate need for peace and safety.  (Note that the value of your donation for tax purposes will be $6.00 less than the donation you made.)

2)  Go to Raise Hope for Congo’s action list:  http://www.raisehopeforcongo.org/content/take-action

Our Mission:   What BETTER Looks Like (WBLL) fosters the development of beloved community by helping individuals imagine, articulate and create visions for a better world.  The intentional infusion of love into our interactions has the power to create the radical changes necessary to make the world better.

Background:  Seven friends—the Amahoro* Women of WBLL—felt a compelling desire to connect with the people of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  In 2010, the friends—one of whom is a Rwandan genocide survivor—journeyed to both countries.  As a result of our incredible trip, we developed a community based project for the poverty stricken people of Nyarugunga Village in Rwanda, including the current sponsorship of students in college.

After speaking and being with many women in Congo, specifically at the Heal Africa hospital in Goma who have suffered severe brutality (more than 15,000 women were brutally sexually assaulted last year alone), our mission on how we could help them was clear.  Their voices need to be heard.

*Amahoro means PEACE in Kinyarwanda, the language of Rwanda

For more information on adding your voice, please contact us at:

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www.100kvoices.org

www.facebook.com/100kVoices
www.twitter.com/100000Voices