It is my persistent prayer and my profound hope that as Christian women we will never forget to care for all women everywhere.

Posts are the original thoughts and writings of Rev. Kelly Bates Oglesby

It is not the intelligent woman v. the ignorant woman; nor the white woman v. the black, the brown, and the red, it is not even the cause of woman v. man. Nay, tis womans strongest vindication for speaking that the world needs to hear her voice.
– Anna Julia Cooper

March is Women’s Month, set aside to reflect on the historical contributions of women, applaud the present endeavors of women, and celebrate the future of women. March 8 is International Women’s Day, the one day when women around the world focus on the global commonalities that prevent women from engaging uninhibited in culture, economics, government, politics, and religion which are the pillars of all society.

It is important for all humankind to recognize that the oppression and repression of women impairs men as well as women. When greater than one-half of the human race is crippled by rape, domestic violence, and patriarchal subjugation that is perpetuated by economic and political systems, all of society is cheated of the opportunity to reach its fullest potential.

Women bring extraordinary perspectives to the table. Moreover, the woman’s voice speaks to circumstances in ways that no man can do likewise. Even the silence of the woman is a message that no man can communicate on her behalf.
The voice of the woman speaks in a roar that resounds with the rage and fury of having her space, body disturbed, and violated.

She wails in plaintive and lamenting tones of one who has been stripped of her loved ones and homes in political insurrections and wars in which she had no voice.
Her silent tears tell of an anger so intense she dare not speak of the atrocities she has endured while seeking to contribute to a world that neither sees nor hears her.

From within her spirit she sings of the hope that she cherishes for herself, her sisters, her daughters, and her world…one day the world will welcome women to lead, teach, speak, and accept women as partners. The global community must unite to end trafficking of women as sex slaves, domestic violence, economic and political discrimination, and the marginalization of women in culture, labor, religion, education and every segment of society.

It is my persistent prayer and my profound hope that as Christian women we will never forget to care for all women everywhere. It is our duty to demonstrate our faith by reaching out to our sisters who are in circumstances of oppression, incarceration, and suffering from addiction, victimized in their homes or elsewhere.

"Not the boys less, but the girls more." – Anna Julia Cooper

Pastor Kelly Oglesby © 2008