I Am A Global Citizen

A global citizen is someone who respects and feels unity with all creation. We suffer over wars, hunger, environmental destruction, injustice and the power plays that perpetuate those crimes against humanity and the earth. A global activist is someone whose voice is heard or actions taken toward creating a healthier, more equitable world. I am a global citizen because I have dedicated my life to gaining the education and facilitation skills to raise awareness of female injustice worldwide.

As a three-year old white child in Midwestern America, I experienced genital mutilation by a doctor practicing his religion with a scalpel. Some of my post-surgical emotional and physical ramifications are similar to that experienced by female genital cutting (FGC) victims regardless of why or how it was done. I am aware of resistance to Western women attacking other cultures’ practices. However, my history helps put us on equal ground. I shared my story at several international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland in 1981.

Since then, I traveled to Kenya and South Africa and gained appreciation for positive aspects of African cultures as well as better understanding of cultural traditions. I returned to college and now have my doctor in education degree. As a university adjunct professor I recently taught a class called Turning Oppression into Opportunity based on Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, Vintage Books, 2009; Urgent Message from Mother: Gather the Women, Save the World by Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D., Conari Press, 2005; and Kosmos: Turning Crisis into Opportunity–Spring/Summer 2010 and People Power/The Global Commons–Fall/Winter 2010.

I connect through phone conferences with women who are working to eradicate FGC. I also financially support organizations educating young girls in areas where these harmful practices take place. Educated girls are more apt to say “No” to FGC and child marriage. My goal is to continue to raise awareness though as many avenues as possible.