WOMEN, THE WORLD OVER...

"We are all parts of a whole. Our individual actions, conversations, behaviors and mindsets can have an impact on our larger society. Collectively, we can make change happen. Collectively, we can each help to create a gender equal world. We can all choose to be #Each for Equal." internationalwomensday.coms

This year's celebration of International Women's Day was once again held at the University of Wisconsin's Student Unions Bluffs room with light refreshments sponsored by over a dozen local community organizations. Many of the organizations' tables lined the perimeter of the back of the room.

Four women of different nationalities and backgrounds were part of a symposium to address a couple hundred mostly women. These speakers hailed from Kosovo, Myanmar, Pakistan and Poland. They shared tidbits of their upbringing in their native male dominated countries, their work ethic and desire to improve their lot and a cultural difference they encountered here in the States.

Dr. Lema Kabashi, Ph.D. grew up in the war torn country of Kosovo whose population suffers from mental health issues such as PTSD. Dr. Kabashi with the support of her family furthered her studies at an older age in the field of the autistic spectrum. Her future plans include educating Kosovo teachers how to identify, evaluate and work with their autistic students. Her motto " It's never too late to do what you want to do and never give up" rings true in her aspirations to continue bettering herself and helping others. Her cultural comparisons revolved around time. One example was regarding going for coffee. In her country when people meet for coffee, they can make a small expresso last a couple of hours, whereas Americans always seem in a hurry, downing a coffee quickly/ even getting it 'to go' ...

Dr. Wah Wah Htun educated in her home country of Myanmar is in the very male field of Interventional and Structural Cardiology. She felt her chances of entering top tier medical schools here for her residency (even with top scores) was affected by candidate review boards not even knowing where Myanmar was. Dr Htun lives by the Buddhist belief of karma and kindness affecting everything she does. Unlike Americans, one's good deeds will come back to you...

Maira Sarfraz from Pakistan works in financial services. Her education had ended traditionally in Pakistan when she entered an arranged marriage. As a newlywed she followed her husband to to the States for his studies. A tumultuous marriage resulted with her being a victim of mental abuse. The marriage ended in divorce. Returning home to Pakistan was difficult as a divorcee and she wanted to return to the States. She did, stayed with relatives here for a while but knew she needed to be on her own. With limited funds because it cost so much for her immigrant papers, she lived on a slice of bread and ketchup for her 3 meals/day for 6 months. Determined, Ms Sarfraz found a job in the banking field and experienced success even recently receiving a promotion. She believes in working for equal pay, women being in leadership roles and justice for women. Her new confidence has helped her find her voice...

Ania Meier, the last speaker's home was western Poland in a dysfunctional family with a mentally unstable father and a mother who thought an orphanage would raise her better. Fate had her meet her best friend, an American with whom she became engaged to be able return with him to the States. With time this union has provided her with an education and a loving, extended family. Ms. Meir received a masters in Environmental and Cultural Studies and is a UW-L's associate in Philosophy.  She's an advocate for equal pay, to treat immigrants with respect and dignity, protecting everyone's freedom. 

The four international women's sharing demonstrated no matter where/how women are raised, they share the same plights the world over as today's modern women. Raising awareness is the only way to realize as Ms Meir stated: "People have to talk to each other to get to know each other." Amen.