WOMANHOOD:

“Let us rise in the moral power of womanhood; and give utterance to the voice of outraged mercy, and insulted justice, and eternal truth, and mighty love and holy freedom“. Maria W. Chapman

Walking by thru my city and thinking back in the past week in San Salvador, I feel inspired to write this small article and share it with all of you. As you know I work with women, they have been struggling a lot in their life, the true is that even do this women had suffer in their past, now they feel alive.

I felt very alive to share one week with all the Central American Women and Dominican Republic Fellows from iLEAP, as a 2011 fellow I was nervous and excited to reunited with my “amigas” and to meet a new group of amazing women, those women that I had only met on a photo.

I joined in the circle of trust and I right away felt the warm and love from all of us together was a magical moment.  I don’t have word to express my respect and all the love that I feel for each one of them, we laugh, dance, cry, share and built a strong relationship. The fruit of a common history, political patrons, worries,  fights and wishes, at the end of the day there were just 11 women with a strong commitment with our communities and Gente.

INDAE, PAPU, ERA, you and all the moments that we spent togethers were there with us, your presence and the love that we feel for you, joined us in that circle. Our friend and Mentor Don Britt and all iLEAP staff and friends joined us, we shared about what Seattle means to us, what means to be a iLEAP Fellow, which one are our fears and challenges and about everything our Womanhood Power.

Being a women who fight against the violence and who build the capacities to other ones to become leader with voice in their communities, means me life; but those day in San Salvador, also teach me that This circle of women is making a huge impact in the lives of thousands of women in Central America and the Caribbean.

We are making the difference

We are fighting for the liberty and sustainable life for women

We are women who believe in ourselves, living difficult moments, but trusting in our power.

Gracias amigas, compañeras, cómplices y camaradas.

We are Women of iLEAP.

Con amor,

Vane