Carolyn's Big Adventures

  As things wrap up here in New York, I have so much to process. My last session was jarring, as we discussed female genital mutilation. What a way to go out, huh.? It is unbelievable that this practice still exists even after some countries have banned it. The survivors spoke openly about the trauma it has caused in their lives and their work to educate young girls and boys about it as there is a lot of ignorance about it.  They called on religious leaders to speak out to lend credence to the fact that it is really not a part of the Muslim doctrine, but instead an ancient practice to control the lives of women. One of the survivors uses art to illustrate community practices as many in Somalia are illiterate. Others are acting as mentors to young women. This practice is in humane and must be stopped. That’s the kind of two weeks I’ve had. I’ve seen brilliant young women taking a stand for improving their future by working for climate change. I’ve seen men who are working to change cult

 What a couple of weeks it has been! My brain is full and my body decided to rebel for a couple of days. Came down with a head cold, so I’ve stayed holed up in the hotel and rearranged my schedule to attend workshops that I could log into digitally. Which prompts me to ponder the pros and cons of doing business online versus in-person. I was comparing notes with a woman from Switzerland last week while I was still out and about and we both agreed that in-person, though expensive, is better. She is a veteran of CSW, coming every year and was very happy to back after a three year suspension due to COVID. We both agreed that the personal contacts are far better in person. It’s easier to have side conversations and to network. Ask any classroom teacher coming out of the pandemic- kids do better in the classroom as well! But there are definitely positives for on-line. I’m very comfortable with a computer and my first two years after moving to Wyoming I continued a modified position with the

This could very well been the title of every session I have attended. It was the actual title of one I was a part of today- not surprisingly about the role of technology in today's voting systems around the world. We heard from the National Director of voting systems, who gave an overview of the various types of electronic voting in the US and abroad. He reminded us that their prime objective is to proved Free and Fair elections for all. Then we learned from an expert about the requirements to ensure free and for those with disabilities. Transparency is everything and everything now has backup for tracking every vote. Lastly, we were told that getting trained election officials was increasingly difficult. In the last 10 years, the average age of election officials has gone from 50 to 75 and are 80% women.   The next session was on ableism and ageism led by a panel with a variety of examples of differing abilities. Technology is both friend and foe, but they talked about great str

Woke up today and it was raining and getting colder, so I decided to make it an online day. I settled in for the first of five 1 1/2 hour sessions from the comfort of my hotel room. First, I learned about a foundation helping to save billions of dollars in India with updated technical infrastructure and by establishing mini science centers for girls to learn STEM trades; a group in Indonesia providing training-- even electric scooters so that girls can venture out of their homes for delivery jobs, thereby cementing their place in the family as (quite often) the main breadwinner in the family. While this is a major step, ther are still plenty of social barriers to break down before women can enjoy real equality.   Next session we heard from a variety of experts warning of the hazards women and girls face when entering the digital landscape. 33% fewer women and girls use internet than men and boys 33% of Women and girls vs 11% of males. Sexual harassment is under reported To fight se

It was a cold an drizzly day and I left my umbrella in my other suitcase! Fortunately, most of my commute is underground, so I got up and got going. We were invited to a discussion with the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres of Portugal. He was joined on the dias by Under Secretary Sima Bahaus, who heads up UN Women. He gave a well researched speech about the s1tatus of women in the world and what he was hoping to see in the soon-to-be-released draft for the CSW 67 Conference, outlining priorities regarding Women and their access to technology, which is the theme for this conference. This my first rodeo and I listen with bright-eyed optimism.  Now it's time for questions and the women don't hold back. "Why haven-t we met the goals from last year?" "Why aren't young women represented at the UN?" "We're further behind on stopping cyberbullying than we were"" PLEASE, we're begging you to do more to help the millions of women and

After a week of seventeen workshops and convocations, I was kinda tired so I slept in on Saturday! Got up and headed to downtown Manhattan to kill time until my show that evening. Anyone who knows me is probably aware of my geographical challenges, so I was pretty proud of my navigating without getting hopelessly lost! I had never seen a show at Lincoln Center, and it was a great setting for CAMELOT, a show I had danced around the house singing dreamily as a kid. This is the second remount with a new script by Aaron Sorkin I've seen this year! I liked CAMELOT changes better than TO KILL a Mockingbird, but both work. I was fortunate to see the HAMILTON Disney princess, Phillipa Soo as Guenivere. Her voice is so much like Julie Andrews, it really took me down memory lane.   Made it safely back to the hotel only to get up and do it again on Sunday. This time, I took the TKTS route and stood in line for any available half price tix. I had hoped to see A DOLL'S HOUSE with Jessica

I have listened to so many women's stories for a week. Some have been tragic tales of oppression or powerlessness. Ofhers are sharing their success stories about how they have made strides in acheiving equality, or "a place around the decision-making table". One young woman from India made a good point about such progress when she pointed out that just getting to the table is sometimes difficult when those with control keep them from taking their place there. If you know much about religious history, you would be aware that women in many ancient societies were the leaders in communities. That status has been usurped, most often by male leadership taking the power and relegating women to staying home and being under the control of men. As much as many men might fear letting go of power to share with women, for these societies with empowered women society as a whole gains. Men are able to share responsibility and it can be cathartic. To make strides we all need to h

Happy International Women’s Day!   Even before making this trip, particularly exacerbated by COVID,  I’ve been frustrated by the growing cacophony of voices in America wailing and gnashing their teeth that their freedoms are being taken away. “Don’t force me to (fill in the blank), I have a right to (fill in the blank), “they’re” taking away my freedoms!  Somewhere along the line, civility has gone out the window and our streets and airwaves are filled with protesters screaming at anyone who doesn’t share their politics/faith/traditions. Americans of all stripes are now martyrs being oppressed by the OTHER. We all grew up believing that America was the model for Freedom around the world. But for the last few years I’m becoming more and more convinced that our “freedoms” will be the death of Democracy. I know, I know, I’m speaking in hyperbole, but I don’t think i’m too far off. This week, I’ve heard hair-raising stories of women whose lives are impacted daily by oppression. Young girls

 I’ve worked so long with domestic violence and women’s  issues, that I forget that there people that don’t know (or admit) how prevalent DV is. “We” think it happens to “Them”. “It” is personal and none of our business.  All of this thinkng is false and it’s only in recent years that we are finally talking about the numbers. ONE IN FIVE WOMEN WILL BE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED IN THEIR LIFETIME.  Are you shocked? We all should be. And here’s something more shocking. This number is low because the majority are of these assaults are not reported. So here I am at this worldwide conference about the status of   women. And now I’m wrapping my head around new sets of  numbers:  Women are 50% as likely to be online Only 15% of STEM jobs are held by women In low/middle class countries, women are 10% less likely to have basic cell phone and 26% less likely to have a smart phone. However, women perform at least as well or better than men in grades and job performance in technology fields. What’s holdin

 Today was the official start of the CSW67 Forum, although I have been at it for a couple of days sith training.  On the way, my first train was too full, so I had to make adjustments to my morning sessions. Waiting in line is a great way to meet people! Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, New Zealand, and Myanmar! TIn MaMa was wearing Beautiful traditional garb from her native Myanmar. I sat with her and some friends for the opening session with the Secretary General and other UN dignitaries  addressing us. Held annually, this hybrid meeting is amassed g all records with Over 11,000 registered.  Seminars are fascinating and hard to choose from but I’m taking a stab at it. I learned about the International Women’s Peace Group; I listened to women who are advocating for a chance to have leadership roles in the Catholic Church, I met the Co-Chair of the CSW67 at the conclusion of her panel on technological changes in refugees seeking asylum . She and I exchanged information with plans to speak furth

 My first official meeting was an orientation session by the UN Ecumenical Women in the United Nations Chapel. United Church of Christ, Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian (USA) women from various nations met in person and by Zoom to tell their stories, sing, dance and celebrate womanhood. At the same  time, we acknowledged that there is much work to do in making the world a better place for women. One veteran attendee brought it all home when stressing the importance of telling our stories. “Until you tell your story, someone is literally dying”. So here it begins. This why I am here and I must screw up my courage and speak on behalf of women I don’t even know to create a place around the table for women  and girls.  I will do my best to make your story count! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PhlaFAcL4BgKczQYW5IZsg7hO3fBE3Dd/view?usp=drivesdk

 As I travelled across the country to New York City, I reviewed in my mind those who have given me support. Two tiny churches in Wyoming dug deep and covered the cost of lodging. High school friends posted words of encouragement though online class apps. Other friends wrote letters of recommendation to accompany my application. Friends from across the country have sent personal messages cheering me on!Thanks to you all!  But before any of this, there have been so many upon whose shoulders I stand. Number one was my mom, a beautiful soul whose life was a model of women’s advocacy The force was strong with that one! 😉😉 and before her, my grandmothers and aunts. Plus, so many contemporaries of mine who have studied theology though the eyes of women with me. And my daughter, who shares new insights with me regularly.  Now, it’s my turn. I have been handed an opportunity to speak up on behalf of women whose voices have not yet been heard. Here we go!