1000 Women CAN Change the World

Celebrating Our Own True Freedom

As we in the USA celebrate the 4^th of July as Independence Day – when the American colonials declared their independence from Britain more than 200 years ago – Let’s take a look at what true freedom can mean in our lives today.

 

Now is the time for us to declare our own personal independence!  To free ourselves from whatever it is that is holding us back from being all that we truly want to be… To break the ties that bind us to old habits that keep us from reaching our potential.

 

Let’s break free to rejoice in all that is right, good and positive in our lives – let’s cultivate an attitude of gratitude – being thankful for all little things that bring a smile to our lips, give a warm feeling or a feeling of relief. 

 

If we look, we can always find these bits of joy to focus on – feeling good through gratitude is our first step to true freedom.

 

Let’s let go off those thoughts and worries that drag us down – acknowledge them – take constructive action for a solution – then let them go!  Worry saps our energy – accomplishes nothing.  If it’s not within your power to change it, let it go!

 

Let’s steer our thoughts and ideas to those things that we can change – that we can affect directly.  Focus on solutions that you yourself can change.    Letting go of all the rest is our next step to true freedom.

 

Let’s focus on our strengths – our “can dos.”  When we take a close look, we really can do lot more than we often give our selves credit for.  Let’s take an inventory of our skills and accomplishments – quite a list – huh?

 

Let’s pat ourselves on the back and see how we can apply what we know to where we are now.  How do these skills and strengths provide solutions to move us forward?  How can we repurpose our skills? Expanding our horizons is our next step to true freedom.

 

Let’s take a good hard look at what is really important to us.  If money were no object, what would we be doing with our lives?  What can we do now to move ourselves closer to where we would truly like to be?

Let’s take at least some small – major it you can do it – action toward our true passion in life.  Moving toward our true passion is our next step to true freedom.

 

By taking these steps, we can all move that much closer to finding true freedom in our lives today.

 

Let’s celebrate our own true freedom today! 

Getting More by Giving Back

 do you feel when you have done a favor for someone expecting nothing in return?  Feels pretty good… doesn’t it? 

 

Think about how great is will feel when you do a “little something” for many women with very little effort on your part…

 

This “little something” is sharing your knowledge or expertise about something t hat you…

Ø      Do really well – often better and with more ease than others – such as making ends meet during these difficult times or balancing your work, home and family

Ø      Excel in professionally – such as persuading others to see your point of view or motivating others to produce more

Ø      Are proficient in – such as handling barrage of email effectively and efficiently or working with Excel spreadsheets so that it all balances out

Ø      Find brings you great satisfaction – such as tapping into your inner self to find the strength to conquer whatever comes your way

Ø      Do that you think will enhance the lives of other women.

 

“1000 Women” is looking for Mentors – women just like you who have “been there and done that” – learned the hard way.  We are asking that you share this experience to smooth the way for other women so that they don’t have to struggle quite so much.

 

To be a Mentor is really quite simple – all you need to do is to make a 30–45 minute digital audio recording relating your thoughts and ideas – basically laying out the “how to” – the main keys to doing what you do so well.

Don’t fret… making the recording is as simple as talking on the telephone (in the US) or into your computer (outside the US) – we provide you with the simple guidelines – both in a written outline and an audio recording (actually serves as an example).

 

 

“1000 Women” is now ready to launch its program for “at-risk” women – providing Audio Information Modules (AIM) to organizations that assist at-risk women – especially those who are survivors of domestic violence and abuse. 

 

We need your help in providing – rich, practical, useful content for our modules… 

 

We all have information to share – how we have coped, succeeded or excelled!

Here is a sample AIM that I created – “ABCs of Life – Attitude, Belief & Commitment”  at Download ABCs_of_Life_PC_WST_1-09  

Please email us here so that we have the rich content to enhance so many lives. 

 

We all have information to share – how we have coped, succeeded or excelled!

 

Learn more here.

Lovely Ideas for Wonderful Women

 

The Universe often provides us with what we need when we need it the most–
This I believe! 

 

My connections with women in South Africa have come to amaze me… so many from unexpected sources.  The most recent was an email via LinkedIn from Lehla Eldridge offering to send me a copy of her book… The Lovely Book for Wonderful Women – sounded “lovely” to me so I gave her my address.

 

Imagine my surprise when I received a small package in the mail covered with lovely, colorful stamps from South Africa. Up until that point, I had not realized that Lehla was there.  I’ve actually applied to work with more than one organization in SA and would love to relocate there… but I digress.

 

The book inside may have been small in size but its impact was tremendous – so colorful both in its whimsical illustrations and heart-warming messages!  It made my heart sing at a time when it needed it the most.

 

In this time of economic and other stress – we all need to take a bit of time out of our to day to enjoy who we are – The Lovely Book is the perfect tonic to brighten our day – to open our hearts to feel good about who we are – to remind us how the little things in our lives can bring us joy.

 

Wondering how Lehla came to the write this delightful book… it came to her in a flash as her three little ones were tugging on her weary body – she went to work a big colorful canvas with positive words – then transformed it into this amazing book. In her own words…

 

“There are lots of demands on women, and I think that women put a lot of demands on themselves. So this book is for all the wonderful women out there who need a breather and want to stop and laugh and remember what makes them happy.”

 

To uplift your spirit – visit Lehla’s whimsical website at http://www.lovelybooks.co.za – when you buy her book and mention “1000 Women” 10% is donated to empowering our life-enhancing initiative at http://1000womencanchangetheworld.org –

 

Pamper yourself while doing good!

 

Fighting Sexual Violence & Abuse…

On April 8, President Obama proclaimed April 2009 as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (NSAAM). The first observance of SAAM occurred in 2001, and now, each April the National Sexual Violence Resource Center(NSVRC) promotes national unity and collective activism among advocacy groups on issues of sexual violence throughout the month, with focuses ranging from prevention to survivor recovery.

The 2009 campaign focuses on Workplace Sexual Violence with its theme of Prevent Sexual Violence… in our workplace and its slogan, Respect Works.

NSVRC reports that, “while working or on duty, U.S. employees experienced 36,500 rapes and sexual assaults from 1993 to 1999. This excludes the more than 12,000 annual reported acts of sexual harassment at work.”

As women who seek to empower other women, we become increasingly aware of how pervasive sexual violence is in our culture… not just in emerging countries but here in the US as well, and these are only the ones being reported.

Awareness of sexual violence and abuse is a critical first step to addressing and preventing this often covert problem…

Ø      At least one in every three women, or up to on billion women, have been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in their lifetimes (1999 Private Research Study)

Ø      Up to 47% of women report that their first sexual intercourse was forced (2002 WHO)

Ø      Up to 70% of female murder victims are killed by their male partners (2002 WHO)

Ø      In the USA a woman is battered, usually by her husband/partner, every 15  seconds (UN Study)

Ø      All physical/sexual abuse includes a psychological component

Ø      Women at-risk include those psychologically abused as well  physically damaged

Ø      Psychological damage can incapacitate almost as much, often
more than physical abuse

Ø      Physical abuse compounded with psychological abuse can be
totally debilitating – symptoms often manifest in themselves by decreasing self-worth and value.

As we become more aware, we then need to find ways to take action, even if only “baby steps,” to preventing abuse. Our “1000 Women” is partnering with organizations that that work victims/survivors of sexual violence and abuse, starting in Annapolis, MD.

We can make a difference! 

Celebrating Women’s History

   

As Women’s History Month, March is when we reflect on the role of women in history, an often unsung history. While we fully recognize the struggle of women over the decades and while we stand on their accomplishments, we still have a long way to go.

Women throughout the world also celebrate International Women's Day which has been observed since in the early 1900's, another time of great expansion and turbulence in the world. 

Today’s challenges may differ greatly on the surface, but the underlying lack of true equality continues to prevail, especially in developing countries, in hand with poverty and abuse.  

This new millennium is ushering in significant change in both women's and society's concepts about women's equality. Many of the younger generation may feel that the battles have been already been won for women yet many older women know much lies ahead to bring the women of the world into true equality.

We have witnessed an increased critical mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life - with more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights and in numerous other arenas. 

Our goal is to move forward to visualize the day when…

Ø      Women’s pay is commensurate with their male counterparts make up

Ø      Women are present in equal numbers in business or political leadership positions and  

Ø      Globally women's education and health is on par with men – especially in developing countries

Ø      Violence against women is in past.

We are making great strides in the right direction. We do have female prime ministers and other leaders, school girls are being welcomed into more universities in greater numbers, women can both work and have a family and more women have real choices.

Let’s turn March into a celebration of the positives.  In doing so we can turn our attention to how we can share our good fortune with those who are less fortunate.

One of the ways to do that is to offer your support to 1000 Women Can Change the World. 

Beyond monetary assistance, we are looking for women mentors who has expertise to share with other women throughout the world, who have fundraising experience and/or nonprofit volunteer experience, or who would like to be part of our movement to make the world a better place for women.

You can make a difference in the world… as together we create the next chapter of women’s history.

Ushering in this New Era of Hope…

    

Each and every one of us CAN make a difference.

 

As President Obama stated so eloquently in his Inaugural Address (Emphasis added)…

 

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord…. 

 

Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom….

 

 … they embody the spirit of service: a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves…. And yet, at this moment, a moment that will define a generation, it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

 

During this past week, we have entered into an era of hope, vision and hard work that shows that we can indeed make a difference in the world. 

 

All movement – even positive movement – requires some time for adjustment – a shifting of patterns – especially thought patterns. 

 

But as we all reflect on the uplifting excitement and enthusiasm surrounding the inauguration of our 44^th president, how can we not be caught up in this vision of hope?

 

Yes, it will take hard work and perseverance… but that is precisely what has made the USA so remarkable throughout the centuries…

 

Our innovativeness, plus our willingness to roll up our sleeves and work as hard and as diligently as need to make “it” happen. 

 

Let’s join the new President in taking the first steps to usher in this new era of hope –

 

Let’s reach out to help women who are less fortunate than we are by supporting 1000 Women CAN Change the World.

 

Every one of us can help – each in our own unique way –  some can…

 

Ø      Be Visionaries who invest  $1000 of more in the future

Ø      Donate whatever amount works in rather stressful time – every single dollar helps

Ø      Share their expertise by creating information modules (We provide the training materials and tools

Ø      Donate time and expertise to help us obtain funding and grants

Ø      Let us know about other programs that we can work with to benefit women

 

The ways to help are limitless –

 

Being innovative, open, creative and inclusive – We CAN make a difference in the world!

 

 

 

The End of Year Tax Deduction that Really Makes a Difference…

Donate Now

 Fully Tax Deductible 

Are you looking for a last minute tax deductible donation that can really make a difference in the lives of others in 2009 and for the years beyond??

 

If so, seriously consider giving to 1000 Women where your donation is put to use enhancing the lives of women and their families… both locally and globally.

 

Poverty is the #1 problem in the world – with women making up more than 70% of the world’s poor, subsisting on less than $2.50 a day.  Abuse is a close second with 1 in every 3 women being sexually, physically or otherwise abused during their lifetimes.  Both poverty and abuse are passed on down through generations.

 

1000 Women is taking action to end this downward cycle of poverty and abuse – starting in South Africa with the Women Rebuilding Africa Program (WRAP).  This program trains women be leaders and to share their knowledge by creating audio information modules (AIM)… how to achieve the basic life and business skills that start to banish their poverty mentality and move them toward being able to live rather than merely exist.

 

Women in Capetown are so excited about this program… “I believe that these programmes will change lives of African women… to train the first group of women on how to do a recording on radio acrobat, our eyes opened wide… Charlene, one of my colleagues… She saw the impossible become possible. Charlene’s life is never the same!” exclaims Madelein Mkunu, our colleague with the Leading Women of Africa.

 

In the USA, we are working with local agencies that provide services to at-risk women, including victims/survivors of domestic violence and abuse.  AIM + programs include the “Dance of an Abusive Relationship,” “From Fear to Fulfillment,” “The ABCs of Life – Attitude, Belief and Commitment,” and other life-enhancing programs.

 

As 2008 winds down, we reflect on how 1000 Women came into existence, first as an idea that evolved into our becoming a nonprofit corporation in the spring, to launching our website and blog in the summer, to recruiting Visionaries, to making our 501(c)(3) status official, to building global relationships in the fall,  to initiating the pilot program (WRAP), and oh, so many other activities… so much in less than one year!

 

Just imagine all the lives that we can impact in 2009! 

 

With donations from you and support for our programs – 1000 Women [Really] Can Change the World!

                                                 

Donate NOW

 

All donations are fully tax deductible for this 501(c)(3) public charity.

                                                                       

Much Thanks and appreciation to all of you who have donated money, time, ideas, support and in so many other ways…  Paula

Rewards for Giving – Especially Now

                                                                        ~~ Donate Now ~ It's Fully Tax Deductible ~

                                                                         

Giving of any kind always has its own rewards – especially making you feel good about yourself and what you are doing to help others less fortunate.

 

And, yes, no matter what your circumstances are, there are always others who are less fortunate – who are in need of your gifts no matter the size – every single one counts – they all add up to make a difference.

Making a difference in the lives of women – their families and their communities -  is what 1000 Women is all about…

Madeline Mkunu – Founder of the Leading women of Africa – is most enthusiastic…

 ”I am so excited to be working 1000 Women…  with the aim to pool resources to build virtual teams in SA [South Africa] and to develop and deliver audio information modules (AIM) to women in SA.  I believe that these programmes will change lives of African women… to train the first group of women on how to do a recording on radio acrobat, our eyes opened wide… Charlene, one of my colleagues… She saw the impossible become possible. Charlene’s life is never the same!  We look forward to working with you, Paula

1000 Women is making a difference in the lives of women in South Africa, as well as locally in the USA. 

Your gifts – in any amount - to 1000 Women can propel us forward into the new year so that we can impact the lives of others as we have for Madelein, Charlene and others.   

 

Donate Now

All gifts/donations are fully tax deductible for this 501(c)(3) public charity.

Thank you for as giving generously as you can during this holiday season.

 

 

                                                                                                                       

’Tis the Season for Giving

 

With all the talk of recession – gloom and doom – we may be losing sight of the real meaning behind to the Holiday Season – giving not just material gifts – presents and the like…

 

BUT giving of ourselves, opening up our hearts to others, being of good cheer, doing little things for others, or just smiling – the gift that keeps on giving and costs nothing – you smile and it comes right back to you.   Try it – It works!

 

These are the gifts that we can give each freely without impacting our wallet or 401K – perhaps when we start smiling more and giving everyone we see a warm heart-felt greeting – perhaps – just perhaps – we will find more joy and peace in our lives.

 

Let’s think of the little things that we can do to help someone in our lives – a neighbor, an estranged family member, or a stranger – just holding the door open for someone… letting the person cut into the line of traffic, letting someone with little children get in front of you in line… oh, so many little acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that can so far. 

 

Little things really do mean a lot – especially during the holiday hustle and bustle!

 

While we may be cutting back on the amount we are giving, we may want even more when we feel that our gifts are meaningful and life-enhancing for others.

 

In our charitable giving, we are expressing what means the most to us – how we can make a difference in the lives of others less fortunate – impact with most lives with the amount we donate.

 

1000 Women – by harnessing technology and saving on physical resources – can impact the lives of more women and their families with the least amount expended per person –

 

Giving you the satisfaction that when you give to 1000 Women –

 

Your gifts produce exponential results because the women impacted by our social movement continue to give to others who give to others – spreading out the social impact outward like ripples on a pond.  

1000 Women Can Change World!

 

Giving Thanks Has It’s Own Rewards

How do you start your day?? Ever think about taking a few moments before jumping out of bed to become still and go inside yourself and revel in all the things that you have to be grateful for the…

 

Ø      Beauty - maybe the sun peaking through the clouds, a chirping bird…

Ø      Peace - once you quiet your mind – there is a most rewarding peace…

Ø      Joy – yes, there is joy to be found even in the most difficult times – what makes you smile, your twinkle

Ø      Love – yes, even when we live alone, we are loved and love in return – love takes oh, so many forms…

Ø      Anything - you name it – whatever warms your heart – makes you feel good about life and being part of it.

 

Many suggest having a gratitude journal – jotting down the five things that you are most grateful for each day.  This definitely has merit, and I’ve started to make daily entries off and on over a number of years. The goal is to make us aware of specific daily events to be grateful for – it really should work. 

 

Somehow, however, starting my day with an attitude of gratitude really works well for me personally.  When I start my day with a heartfelt acknowledgement of what I have or desire to have in my life, the grateful attitude lasts throughout the day.  For example, when I’m driving and someone cuts me off, instead becoming angry, I take a deep breath and am thankful that at least we didn’t smash into each other – and I look around to see what else I can be thankful for. 

 

It’s amazing how when we stop, become still and tune into the Now – the present moment – how much there is to be really grateful for.  This one act of pausing in our busy lives to be in the present moment and find the best in it is ever so powerful.  It can transform lives. 

 

So, as we celebrate Thanksgiving Day (in the USA) and start in the bustle of the holiday season, what better time is there than Now to reflect on all that we have in our lives for which we can be truly thankful.  Enjoy life fully!   Paula Constantino, 1000 Women Can Change the World

 

PS. As we give thanks – think about giving back – Donate Now to 1000 Women