Top 5 Events Worldwide:

“Women have plans for themselves, for their children, about their home, the meals. They have a Vision.” –Professor Muhammad Yunus

March 8, 2012 commemorated the 101^st anniversary of International Women’s Day. Women and supporters all around the world gathered at hundreds of events to celebrate the achievements and inspire women.  At the heart of microfinance lies female empowerment. Grameen America is proud to support women entrepreneurs in the United States who are working hard to create a better tomorrow for themselves, their families and their communities. Listed below are our top 5 International Women’s Day events which inspire us to think globally and act locally.

                                                                                                                                                     [Source Getty]

Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton attend the annual 2012 International Women of Courage Awards that recognizes risk-taking women around the world who have led the way advocating for women's rights.

Indian car designer Sudhakar Yadav designed vehicles made in the shape of a purse, stilletto, tube of lipstick, and makeup compact for International Women's Day.

Nepalese women chant during a walkathon to end violence against women for International Women's Day in Kathmandu.

Gaggle Choir member posed at the Millennium Bridge in London, for Join Me on the Bridge 2012; the world's largest women's rights campaign on International Women's Day.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg opens trading at the London Stock Exchange along with 50 high profile business women including Alek Wek , Kelly Hoppen and Karen Brady to mark International Women's Day, in London.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Leymah Gbowee

Tawakkul Karman

Today we would like to spotlight a changemaking team who captured the real spotlight this weekend. Ellen, Leymah and Tawakkul were jointed awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their 

“non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.” 

“We cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women acquire the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society”, stated the Nobel committee. To celebrate the historic milestone, from Cambodia to Colombia to the Congo, women are holding “Rise with the Prize” gatherings to publicly support and further the award’s socio-political impact—a true testament that women hold up “half the sky”.

Listen to Laureate Leymah Gbowee's thoughts on the Prize 

How did you hear about Grameen America?

I originally came across Grameen Bank while researching poverty alleviation in Latin America and Asia. Once Grameen came to America I was determined to work with the org, so here I am. I believe that Grameen can work anywhere in the world where there’s poor people who want to improve their situation.

Why were you drawn to get involved with microfinance/Grameen America?

Grameen’s approach, in my mind, makes practical sense in the fight against poverty. I do not support charging high interest to those with the less capacity to pay. This backward practice in addition to many others led me to seek out an economic system built on a more justified set of principles.
What is a favorite movie of yours? And how has it inspired your career path?

My favorite movie is “A Beautiful Mind”. It’s about an economist who went crazy trying to come up with an original idea. The concept of an original idea has been “my thing” from the beginning. I have always wanted to devise an economic system not constrained by theories of communism, socialism or capitalism —something new, something “Original”, something that will make hungry children and all the social ills that come from poverty extinct.

Who is one person whose career you greatly admire and why?

In addition to Muhammad Yunus, I would have to say John Nash. Both have been able to defy the odds and humble all those who didn’t see their vision. They both possess the audaciousness required to make the impossible possible by displaying the power of a determined idea.

What is one fact most people would never guess about you?

I’m really a mama’s boy.

Who is one person whose changemaking career you greatly admire and why? (Someone in addition to Yunus).

I would have to say Sean Carter [Jay-Z]. His early beginning as a street hustler was admirable in how he circumvented the ultimate end that comes with living that way of life—usually death or prison. Now he is a business man worth half a billion dollars. His understanding and application of practical business principles enabled him to adapt and prosper to an unprecedented level. All this with his integrity intact.


If you could be one superhero, which one would it be?

Hancock.

If you could create a tweet that describes your career path, what would it be? (140 characters or less).

Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week. #grameen #microfinance