In my inbox last night was the following sentence:
Thank you so much committing to the media compact for our groundbreaking journalism project with SheKnows Media and Public Radio International. We’re so excited to have you aboard as a partner, and can’t wait to start sharing these stories and changing the conversation about women in news media.
I had one moment of wow, how exciting, followed by several more moments (including the one I’m experiencing right now) that sounded something like this:
Um, WHAT?!?! I’m just a working mom sitting at my desk tucked away in my master bedroom. I don’t even have a proper office from which to write! I don’t have an exciting job or an amazing story to share! I’m just . . .ordinary. And this blog isn’t even about that! It’s mostly about running. Which, actually, can be used around the world to empower women to feel stronger and more capable then they ever imagined. So yes, there is that.
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| This is us. See? Ordinary. Not normal, maybe, but ordinary;). |
But then again, I AM a woman, and I DO have a life, and I do have a heart for women around the world who are marginalized and don’t have a voice.
Oh, and I have this blog. So I also have a voice.
SO in the coming weeks, I will be trying to write and give these women a voice. I hope to introduce you to my friend, Kim, who works with My Refuge House. Do you know what they do there? They provide a safe place in the Philippines for girls – children really – who have been rescued out of sex trafficking. There, in the most lovely, peaceful houses you’ve ever seen, they sing, and they learn and they get unconditional love. Now Kim hasn’t actually said yes to this interview yet, but she loves me so she will!
I’ll also be sharing the stories that others write – stories that I hope will bring hope and encouragement and a heart of gratitude.
Because even though I’m just a mom sitting at my desk who happens to currently have lasagna in the oven (which will only be mediocre because I’m not that good of a cook) I have a voice and I intend to use it. Because it’s not OK with me that only 24% of news stories focus on women around the world.
And because #womenslives. And you can start reading all the amazing stories here. I promise, they’ll be worth your time.
I hope you’ll subscribe and follow and head to twitter and check out the hashtag. There are some AMAZING stories. And they deserve to be heard.
I cannot wait to see where this campaign goes!!
Neither can I, Leila! So many great stories to share and tell!!
That is so cool that they asked you to be a part of this. #WellDeserved
Thank you!! Aside from running, I can’t think of anything I’d rather write about!
I love this so much. Really!
Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment!!!
I can’t wait to get started too, such a great initiative. Great post, well done
Thanks, Mandy! I can’t wait to read everyone else’s perspectives!!
I too am a part of the program and can’t wait to get started. Happy to meet a fellow ‘runner’ 🙂
Yay! Great to see another runner in the group! I’m headed to check out your blog right now!
Very cool that you are doing this!
thank you! Just this morning I had another woman, who’s influence globally is enormous, express interest in helping with a post. I am humbled and blessed! Love sharing these stories!
Fantastic Jen! I’m excited to read your post about Kim and My Refuge House.
Thank you for this post. Your story arc — from “I’m just . . . ordinary” to “I have a voice and I intend to use it.” — that’s the kind of leadership #womenslives is designed to celebrate in the larger community of women creators online. So many of us are not just interested in our kitchen tables — we want to support women everywhere. And now we can find each other!
Thank you, Lisa! I am LOVING the stories that are coming out of this initiative. Such an amazing project!!