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If not now, when?

By bkalsi | February 11, 2011

For many years it has been my privilege to visit Italy and work with Italian women. And I can say with complete honesty you are magnificent.

However, to see the way some of the women of Italy have allowed themselves to be treated these past few years breaks my heart. Beautiful women belittling themselves, becoming concubine to powerful, rich men who only defile and disgrace women.

It is also frightening to watch the effect this has had on Italian women’s rights. Rights that other women fought so hard for over this century. It degrades those women in every country worldwide who fought so hard for freedom. England’s Emily Parkhurst, America’s Rosa Parks, Guatemala’s Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Iran’s Shirin Ebadi and Burma’s Aung Sang Suu Kyi, not to mention one of the greatest freedom fighters, Gloria Steinhem.

When Laura Kiss, an Italian woman I love like a daughter, told me about your rally today, I was upset because I could not be with you. So I send this message from my heart.

Thank you. You are taking to the streets. You must protest until the men of Italy learn:

1. You are not a sex object.

2. You are as intelligent as any man.

3. You will be treated with the dignity you deserve.

And remember, my beloved sisters, whether one calls the creator God, Allah, Mohammed, Buddha or the Great White Chief, you were chosen to be the givers of life. You must be very special to have been given the job of creation. So protect those beautiful wombs because it really is a privilege to be called mother.

When a woman allows herself to be degraded or does not stand for equal rights or fight for justice, she degrades her mother.

I send you my full support and, with my hand over my heart, I stand with you.

Love & Peace,

Betty Williams

Topics: News and Events | 2 Comments »

2 Responses to “If not now, when?”

1. anna A. Says:
   February 11th, 2011 at 10:15 am

   Ciao,i am Italian ..i’d like to say you …..thank you for your beautiful words
   Unfortunately i don’t speak fine english..excuse me….Do you remeber?”Know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit? (bible)
   I Am A Woman, And As Such I Want To Be Respected. ”
   It’s not fair that due to some young ladies of easy morals. … all women are offended and treated by prostitute.
   REGARDS

2. LAAURA Says:
   February 12th, 2011 at 3:27 am

   Brava Anna, we need women like you all over our contry! The problem is not only 1 man, the prime minister, the problem is the mentality of Italians, who have allowed this to happen. So let’s change it ! And let’s go on the street as much as it is needed, Egypt should teach us a lesson…

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