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Women Hold Up Half the Sky Chinese Proverb
They hold up half the sky wherever they are living.
Instead of complaining, they provide solutions to problems.
Instead of wondering how to make a difference,
they took action to turn their thoughts into reality.
They created opportunities for women to participate in life,
and to empower them in economic and social realms.
Some established women's co-operatives,
others made bags from recycled materials,
naming their company Garbage Lady.
They constantly strived to help women pursue their dreams and goals.
Through micro credit programs, they endorsed women’s "macro" dreams.
They dedicated their efforts for the sake of other women.
While demonstrating that another life is possible through "life scones",
they revealed women’s hidden talents by teaching them
how to make handcrafts using remnant leather pieces.
They never accepted the limitations of their role in society.
They became the builders of their own fates.
When the time came, they worked in communities affected by the earthquake.
Others returned to their home cities
after many years abroad to promote rural development and empower women.
Instead of complaining about the darkness created by lack of access
to education for women and girls, they lit a candle to light the way.
When needed, they delivered literacy training and went door-to-door
to inform women on maternal and child health issues.
They never thought they could not succeed.
They always reminded themselves
that better days would only come from empowering women.
They struggled to keep girls who might become child brides in school
instead of being forced into marriages.
They established sports teams and enabled girls to make history.
No matter what, they were never intimidated by
obstacles or geographic challenges.
They climbed over mountains bringing rays of hope to women in villages
where clouds hung thick in the sky.
They held the hands of girls
left out of school and led them
to the classrooms of their future.
They initiated change, they turned the tide.
They made a difference.
They woke up every morning to repaint the sky.
Even during the most difficult moments,
they never forgot that they were holding up half of the sky on their shoulders.