There is an African proverb that says “women hold up half the sky.” Women constitute half the world’s population, but still have not realized half of the world’s potential, received half of the world’s resources, or exercised half of the world’s power. But women have always been the invisible backbone—unseen but strong—of transforming social movements and of anchoring … [Read more...] about Women’s History Month
Marian Wright Edelman
“You either care about protecting kids or you don’t”
“As we sat at our desks working on our computers, we began to hear loud pops…I thought I was going to die. As I laid there, I begged God to please make it fast… My classmates pulled me behind a filing cabinet where I called my mom and my dad and said what I thought would be my last goodbyes. I told them how much I loved them, and asked that they please tell my brothers the … [Read more...] about “You either care about protecting kids or you don’t”
Persevere
The last few months have been a very difficult time for so many of us. I repeat here this “Request for Transfer” by an unknown author that has gotten me through some dark times when I’ve wanted to give up. I wanted to share it to help keep spurring us forward today. “Request for Transfer” To: Commander-in-Chief From: Battlefield Soldier Subject: Request for … [Read more...] about Persevere
Much more than summer school
Close your eyes and think about the words 'summer school.' What comes to mind? If you picture a room full of children clapping, cheering, laughing and falling in love with reading you could be imagining the experience thousands of children across the country are about to have as they participate in the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools® program. More than 1,400 … [Read more...] about Much more than summer school
A summer to remember
As the school year ends and families look ahead to summer plans, I hope many will be able to consider travel that is not just a vacation, but an education and inspiration. Several years ago I had the opportunity to take my granddaughters with me to Selma, Alabama, where they got to meet Mrs. Amelia Boynton Robinson and other civil rights s/heroes during celebrations … [Read more...] about A summer to remember
You can’t win like that
“I can’t do a lot of the extra stuff that I would like to do for my kids or with my kids because I just can’t afford to. No vacations. There’s not too much going to the movies or little outings. Even getting school uniforms together is expensive. Sometimes they have to wear stuff from last year. I have a lot of guilt because I can’t provide for them the way that I want … [Read more...] about You can’t win like that
Succeeding against the odds
After two years of divisive, hateful rhetoric from the highest levels of government, the profoundly inhumane treatment of immigrant families, and the placing of corporate profits ahead of the basic needs of children—the poorest age group in America—the results of the November 6th election instilled in many that most precious resource: hope. Change began sweeping across our … [Read more...] about Succeeding against the odds
Our children are saying “We are afraid”
We are afraid because there are too many threats at schools. I want my school to be safe and to have art because kids like art. –8-year-old girl, Wisconsin What worries children most at the start of a new school year? In simpler times it might have been remembering their locker combination or making sure they had a friend to sit with at lunch. But a recent Children’s … [Read more...] about Our children are saying “We are afraid”
The test of our progress
“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” These words are from President Franklin Roosevelt’s second inaugural address given January 20, 1937. The President was speaking to a nation crawling out of the Great Depression. Progress had been made but President … [Read more...] about The test of our progress
Childhoods ended by guns
Child Watch By: Marian Wright Edelman President of the Children's Defense Fund On July 16, 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson was shot and killed in front of her Washington, DC home trying to buy ice cream. Makiyah was a rising fifth grader who loved basketball, football, art, and puzzles. She had just opened her front door on her way to the ice cream truck in the courtyard when … [Read more...] about Childhoods ended by guns