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November 22, 2008

World Pulse: Women's Voices Heard & Amplified

by Ila Asplund, Publisher & Communications Director at World Pulse

A few years ago I took a self-defense course for women. We learned simple ways to use our bodies (elbows, knees, fists, and most importantly, our voices) to keep us safe and confident. In the group, when it was each woman's turn to practice her strikes, the rest of us cheered, yelled, and echoed encouragement to her. The instructor told us to remember these cheers, to imprint them on our minds as deeply as our verbal and physical strikes.  She told us a story of how a former student, a young girl, maybe 10 years old, was walking in a park. From a distance, the girl witnessed an adult woman being attacked from behind by a stranger. Instinctively, the young girl called out to the woman: "Kick! Kick! Yell! Run!"  The almost-victim heard this young voice of encouragement from out of nowhere and obeyed. The attacker ran.

Though we may cling tightly to our skill or intellect, encouragement can be what truly saves our lives.  This is why I believe so strongly in the work of World Pulse

World Pulse is a media organization that covers global issues through the eyes of women, through a print magazine, website, and most importantly through Pulsewire—an online community newswire where real women from around the globe can tune in to voices of encouragement and collaboration.  An HIV+ activist in Kenya,  a radio producer in Afghanistan, a Life Coach in Brooklyn – all these women can share stories, ask for what they need, and offer resources to one another. There is no need for a woman to be alone in her fight for justice, health, non-violence, or personal success. 

Internet Technology may finally have fulfilled its highest purpose:  To provide a global loudspeaker where women can call out to one another: "Go! Fight!  You can do it! Don't Stop!" And sometimes, simply, "Breathe.  You are not alone."

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