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Outrage over Gang Rape in India Ignites Women and Men to Protest

About 8,006 miles separate Statesboro, Georgia from New Delhi, India, but despite the distance, I am in the trenches with the women of India who continue to protest the barbaric gang rape of the 23-year-old medical student whose life ended as the result of being assaulted.  This attack on the woman takes me to the front lines again to shout this battle hymn to the world:  violence against women must end. 
India, of course, is steeped in a culture that does not truly respect women, but theirs is not the only culture that perpetuates this mindset.  It’s here in America too.  Look at this information for eye-opening statistics.
CLICK HERE.
I am only ONE voice on this globe, but this is my commitment:
 I will be a voice to end violence against women.
  1. I will encourage women to speak up and speak out about the atrocities of rape and sexual assault. My message:  rape is not about sex. It is about power. It is about torture. It is about brutality. 
  2. I will be a “face” for what our society will not face:  1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted.
  3. I will help save women’s lives by speaking publicly, thereby helping prevent such crimes in the future.
If there is an organization in your community that needs a speaker in 2013, I WILL BE THERE!  

Would you have intervened to save a life?

 

Last week’s New York City subway tragedy in which an argument led to the death of Ki-Suk Han after he was pushed by an assailant onto the tracks of an oncoming subway train verified violence is rampant in America. Many journalists chose to report that subway motormen were at fault for not being required to enter stations at lower speeds.
One might think this is the answer.  But, as I considered the circumstances, I thought about how many bystanders were on the train platform who did nothing to come to the aid of the victim.
On the night of my sexual assault 22 years ago in a hotel in downtown Atlanta, nearby room guests heard my screams.  Police reports verify one man came out of his hotel room as a result of my cries for help. 
 
from the Police report… 
“I heard a woman’s voice yelling with an unmistakable “No, No.”  I exited my hotel room to look down the hallway and upon seeing nothing but a person’s arched back entering a door, I returned to my room. Yet I still felt uneasy.”
This bystander could have intervened on my behalf!
The man in the subway died needlessly because sadly, people just stood around–an idle curse of humankind.
Rather than be “standers by,” we need to be stander bearers who have courage to get involved when society urges us to look the other way.
 
I offer these tips on how to be an ACTIVE BYSTANDER.

3 Entrepreneurs Share their Email Marketing Strategies

I had the opportunity to be a part of a dynamic pilot radio show last week in Atlanta.  Business Radio X and Constant Contact invited  the franchise owner of  Pigtails and Crewcuts franchisor, a Dove Chocolate Discoveries Chocolatier and me to be guests to share how we use email marketing to grow our brands.

Hosted by Lanelle Henderson, Regional Development Director for Constant Contact and Lee Cantor of Business Radio X, the hour-long show is full of great tips to use to market your business.

Click here to listen to the radio show.

What will it take to end sexual violence against women?

This video  is one you don’t want to miss.  It was presented to a group of us attending the Georgia Symposium on Sexual Violence two weeks ago.  It left me inspired to continue talking about rape and sexual assault and to continue my involvement in any MOVEMENT to stop sexual violence against women.  
Here’s what we can learn from this video:
1) It takes guts for a leader to stand out and be ridiculed.
2) In order to be effective, leaders should embrace followers as equals.
3) The first follower can transform a “lone nut” into a leader.
4) A movement must be public.  It must show not just the leader, but the followers as well.
5) Consequently, the followers can emulate the followers.
6) The result is powerful and can create a movement needed to bring about change.



Women in Military Have More than One War to Fight

 

What’s worse?  Fearing you are going to be attacked by the Taliban or your own fellow serviceman? 
 
That’s the sickening reality females serving in our US military are facing every day.  Yesterday, NBC’s Natalie Morales on Rock Center with Brian Williams interviewed women who had been sexually assaulted by fellow members of the armed forces. The four servicewomen interviewed reported they feel betrayed and personally retaliated against because of reporting their assaults and rapes.  The interview brings to light a long-standing problem in our US armed forces. 

Last year, 3,192 service members across all branches of the military reported sexual assaults. Based on anonymous surveys conducted in 2010, the Department of Defense says a more accurate number of incidents involving sexual assault is actually closer to 19,000.
 
After watching the broadcast, I applaud these women for having the courage to stand up to military brass and talk about this epidemic of sexual assault within the ranks of our armed forces.  See broadcast here.        
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