“Be the change you want to see in the world” is by far my favorite quote of all time. Mahatma Gandhi was a wise, peaceful leader and an inspiration to millions. But this blog isn’t about a history lesson; it’s about channeling your inner change agent.
Lisa Shannon was your average twentysomething with a job, a fiancé, a home, and a successful business. A few years later, she found herself single and jobless, but she was the face of a growing movement. She gave up her comfortable life after watching an episode of Oprah in 2005 that detailed the devastation of the Congo: 5.4 million deaths and thousands of rapes. She set out on a mission to raise hope, awareness, and funds for women in that region and eventually founded Run for Congo Women.
In September, a search for Congo-related events in the D.C.-area led me to a Run for Congo Women race, and I registered immediately. At the time, I had no idea who Shannon was, or that she had written a book and had established the race. However, four weeks later, I found myself on Capitol Hill alongside her and inspired by her. My teammates and fellow concerned citizens spent the eve of the run with Shannon, lobbying our congressional representatives to sign on to Rep. David Wu’s (D-OR) letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about implementing peace in the Congo. We met with legislative aides and delivered more than 700 letters from voters across the country in addition to packets that contained detailed, comprehensive strategies about how to achieve stability in the region.
We are just concerned citizens with passion and ideas, but we are also change agents. We have influence. Days after our lobbying, Shannon found out that multiple representatives had signed on to the letter. We were one step closer to making the Congo a diplomatic priority for Secretary Clinton.
In less than a month, my small team raised more than $2,400 that will help provide trauma counseling, education, job and leadership skills training, and financial assistance for victims of war in the Congo. After my run on October 23, I reflected on the men and women who inspire me and who make a difference every day in someone’s life. Those who stood out were the AAUW members who leave a lasting impact on their communities. Whether it’s championing women’s rights, advocating on behalf of the underrepresented, or paving the way for future women leaders, AAUW women (and men) are the change they want to see.
Always remember that for someone, somewhere, you are or can be a voice.
This post is by AAUW fellow Maureen Evans Arthurs.
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