One of my visions as co-founder of A CALL TO MEN was that we would be community organizers first and public speakers second. Our organization was built upon this foundation that we do public speaking for the sole purpose of community organizing. I'm both glad and proud to say that while it has not always been easy, we have stayed true to that position.

I was floored when I heard Aida’s story. I had been working at Sanctuary for Families for a while and had heard many girls and women detail their experiences of female genital mutilation (FGM).  Most of them described being pinned down, screaming while dull instruments were used to remove their genitalia, and experiencing physical and emotional pain for years afterwards. But Aida was different; she was here, in New York, and she was about to undergo FGM.

I am awakened by language.

After the Move to End Violence convening in December, I returned to Idaho speaking a transformative language like a traveler returning from foreign county – undefended heart, gathering up, pivot, building movement, and resonance. I was particularly motivated by the power of resonance:  creation of an echo chamber, messages that many voices can relate to, and the power of clarity, simplicity, and repetition. I imagine the possibilities of our collective voice in resonance:  violence against women and girls is a human rights violation. Our collective voices are the antithesis of violence. 

Weeks after our time in Tarrytown, NY for the Building Movement 2012 Convening, a gunman killed 20 elementary-school students and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut. As parents everywhere still mourn the tragic school shooting in Newtown, yet another school shooting has occurred at Taft Union High School in Taft, California.

I have no idea what it will take to end violence against women and girls.