Imagine a Woman...
Travels Around the World
January 2007 - Volume 1, Issue 1
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Imagine Book

The "Imagine a Woman" poem found its way to South Africa about five years ago and continues to inspire the women's movement there, including The Goddess Academy and One in Nine.

On International Women's Day, 2006, stanzas of the "Imagine a Woman" poem were read in the South African Chamber of the National Assembly at a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

After the Ministers of Health, Arts and Culture, and Home Affairs, and the leaders of various women's organizations spoke, the day ended with these words, "We have heard a diverse range of views on the topic at hand today. However, the common collective thread is that women are the pillars of society. In conclusion, I would like to speak a few words from a poem by Patricia Reilly entitled "Imagine a Woman:"

? Imagine a woman who believes it is right and good she is a woman. A woman who honours her experience and tells her stories. Who refuses to carry the sins of others within her body and life.
? Imagine a woman who believes she is good. A woman who trusts and respects herself. Who listens to her needs and desires, and meets them with tenderness and grace.
? Imagine a woman who has acknowledged the past’s influence on the present. A woman who has walked through her past. Who has healed into the present.
? Imagine a woman who values the women in her life. A woman who sits in circles of women. Who is reminded of the truth about herself when she forgets.
? Imagine yourself as this woman.

The Deputy Minister went on to remind those present, "During the opening of South Africa’s first democratic Parliament on 24 May 1994, former President Mandela committed Parliament to gender equality and women’s emancipation. He said, "... freedom cannot be achieved unless the women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression."

Imagine a community of women who have relinquished their desire for intellectual safety and approval. Women who make a powerful statement with every action they take. Who assert to themselves the right to reorder the world. Inspired by our South African sisters, may we be such women!

"Imagine" Reaches Iraq
"On her way to Iraq a friend of mine, an Army Captain and OB-GYN, gave me the “Imagine a Woman” postcard. Tears of compassion came to my eyes. Your poem touches the souls of women."

"Imagine" Reaches into the Workplace
"I read the 'Imagine a Woman' poem every morning to prepare for my day in a male-dominated profession. It's my manifesto, my vow, my inspiration."

"Imagine" Reaches into the High Schools
"I made all of my high school friends read your book. In our society, we are taught that pleasing others is our first priority, that beauty is more important than intelligence, and that we are to be ashamed of our womanhood. Obviously your notion of self-affirmation is painfully needed. Your book gives us permission to be full of ourselves!"

"Imagine" Reaches into the Prison System
"I’m in the California prison recovery center. As I read your book I felt all the fear go away and I was at peace and able to read and understand what I was reading. I've got a long way to go but your book has given me more strength than I’ve had in years."

Imagine a woman who has grown in knowledge and love of herself. A woman who has vowed faithfulness to her own life. Who remains loyal to herself. Regardless. Imagine yourself as this woman!

Arranged Beauty
Join us in beautiful Sedona at the only 2007 "Loving Your Body, Regardless" retreat, facilitated by Patricia and sponsored by A Woman's Way, October 26-28.

Imagine a woman in love with her own body. A woman who believes her body is enough, just as it is. Who celebrates its rhythms and cycles as an exquisite resource.

Imagine a woman who honors the body of the Goddess in her changing body. A woman who celebrates the accumulation of her years and wisdom. Who refuses to use her precious life-energy disguising the changes in her body and life.

Imagine a woman who embodies her spirituality. A woman who honors her body as the sacred temple of the spirit of life. Who breathes deeply as a prayer of gratitude for life itself.

Imagine a woman who loves her body through the seasons of life...Regardless! Imagine yourself as this woman at the "Loving Your Body, Regardless" retreat. Click on "Read On" for details and to register.

IAWposter
Take advantage of our e-mail Valentine Special and treat the women in your life to the "Imagine a Woman" poem in postcard, poster, or book form. Prices include tax and shipping.
? 5 posters for $50 (Regularly $60)
? 5 books for $60 (Regularly $75)
? 100 postcards for $70 (Regularly $90)

Email your order by February 6 directly to Patricia (special is not available at website) and your resouces will be shipped in time to send to those you love for Valentine's Day. Send a check or use www.PayPal.com to pay for your order.

E-mail your ideas for new "Imagine a Woman" products and resources. Ideas to date include: note cards, mouse pads, screen savers, calendars, wall hangings, affirmation cards, daily readers, and a book based on "Imagine a Woman II." Add your ideas to the list!

Imagine a woman who participates in her own life. A woman who meets each challenge with creativity. Who takes action on her own behalf with clarity and strength. Imagine yourself as this woman!

Our beloved planet is in desperate need of women who love themselves. Women who use their personal and communal resources to design life-affirming solutions for the challenges confronting humankind. Women who give birth to images of inclusion, poems of truth, rituals of healing, experiences of transformation, relationships of equality, strategies of peace, institutions of justice, and households of compassion. Women full of themselves for the sake of their children and their children's children.

Together, we are gathering this community of women from around the world. Imagine with us... the poem translated into five languages and saturating five countries with its woman-affirming message by International Women's Day 2008.

WomanSpirit Blessings,


Patricia Lynn Reilly
Open Window Creations

phone: 303-279-4260
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