Where has change ever been clean and nice? It has always been messy and painful.

Women still need higher political representation and to be included at decision making tables in all issues in order for solutions that relates from peace to food, to health, to basic stability in the world. We cannot continue to marginalize half of the population in the world in finding sustainable solutions that are good for all.

I grew up with injustice and could do nothing about it. But once in America, I had freedom of choice.

I don't have a child, so Women for Women is like my child. But I always said I would step down after 20 years. I didn't want to be a 60-year-old woman holding on to something I created when I was 23.

Since war often enters homes through the "kitchen door," we need to understand women's attempts to keep life going in the face of shortage of food, closing of schools and reduced freedoms.

I believe that leadership acts should be manifested by engaging in external work that can be observed and shared with everyone else.

I believe that there is an urgent need to restructure the discussion of war to include the impact it has on women.