Humans, by our very nature, seek community. Historically this has meant living within the community of those who share our day-to-day lives and perspectives. These communities have often been sustained and nurtured by women. In the 21^st century, technology has allowed our communities to expand, even to the global level, which means the potential impact a single woman can have has grown exponentially.

Women Defending Earth Rights

At EarthRights International, we have worked alongside some of the most amazing women, all over the globe, in the struggle to protect human rights and the environment. While our programs provide support to such women, who have often been very marginalized, they have given back to us a thousand-fold, both through incredible collaborative partnerships and through the inspiration their work gives to us.

For example, Mathoura Ith [2], one of the founders of the first public interest law firm in Cambodia, leading the struggle for land use rights, has shown us that even when you are physically small and soft-spoken you can win crucial legal fights against “the big boys”.  In Peru, Lily La Torre, a human rights activist and lawyer, has been fighting for decades for justice for indigenous communities [3] injured by the activities of the petro-chemical industry, undeterred by the long-term nature of the struggle.  Jingjing Zhang [4], one of the leading environmental lawyers in China, has inspired us with her never-flagging spirit, despite working for justice in some of the most heavily polluted places on the planet. 

Meanwhile, often outside the spotlight, the women who have attended and graduated from our EarthRights School Burma [5] and EarthRights School Mekong [6] inspire us every day with their dedicated pursuit of justice in their own countries and communities.

The Inspiring Women Summit

These women, and women like them all over the world, are working in large and small ways to make the world a better place for all of us. Their stories recharge us in our own struggles. That’s why I’m thrilled to be presenting at the 2nd annual Inspiring Women Summit [7], May 7th-13th, which will bring together empowered women from all over the world to share their stories with us.  This virtual event, which is free, will provide a forum for 40 of these women to tell us how they’ve confronted the issues and challenges facing them and their communities and achieved amazing successes.

Even if you can’t participate live, you’ll be able to listen to all the recordings for free, plus have access to all the archives of many other amazing women leaders from previous summits. Click here to register [7].

I look forward to seeing you at the Summit.

Warmly, 
Katie Redford

P.S. The Inspiring Women Summit gives you live, personal access to the following leaders:

Geneen Roth, Lisa Nichols, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Marci Shimoff, Lynne McTaggart, Lynne Twist, Jean Houston, Janet Attwood, Devaa Haley Mitchell, Elayne Doughty, Cynthia Kersey, Marcia Wieder, Simran Singh, Katie Redford, Lisa Sasevich, Andrea J. Lee, Margot Anand, Gabrielle Bernstein, Rha Goddess, Tina Malia, Brené Brown, Juanita Brown, Glenda Gracia, Lisa Schrader, Patty Aubery, Zahava Griss, Liz Murray, Anita Sanchez, Mary Peery, Awadiya Ahmed Yahia, Patricia Ellsberg, Allyson Byrd, Shelly Lefkoe, Anasa Troutman, Shaima Khinjani, Elena Tonetti-Vladimirova, Gail Straub, Christine Page, Loung Ung, Venus Opal Reese, Elisabeth Manning, Millie Cowan, Amy Lenzo, Ashley Cooper.

Event Co-Sponsors:

The Shift Network, MaestroConference, The Shift Movie, Women's Media Center, Dream University, United Religions Initiative, Center for Sacred Studies, Women of Wisdom, Aspire, Bella Spark Productions, Global MindShift, Peace X Peace, Intent.com, Wisdom Connection, CSRwire, Beauty and the East TV.