"Comes in like a lion, goes out like a lamb!"  What does this common phrase mean to you? 

As I sit at my desk reflecting on a few things,  I realize it is the last day of March.  Already!  I pause and remember that it is also the final day of Women's History Month. 

Throughout my military career, the Marine Corps honored its women with a special event which usually included a senior woman officer as the guest speaker.  During my tour in Iraq, I was that officer and had the privilege of speaking to the first, newly graduated Iraqi women police!  As I approached the podium and saw those proud women looking back at me, I realized that the American struggles we experienced throughout our history, in order to find our voices, were absolutely minimal when compared to the horrors our Iraqi sisters continue to experience on a daily basis.

In Afghanistan, every baby step taken to find their own voices is often met with brutality, disfiguration, and too often, death.  On this last day of March, I want to celebrate and share with you one of our very own Women of Hope Project woman's success story.

Zorah was born and raised in Kabul.  Unlike many of her other counterparts, both personally and professionally, she is literate and has had extensive formal schooling.  Before the Taliban she said that she took work as a teacher.  All of Zorah's children who are old enough, attend school.  Education is something that she feels is most important in changing the culture for the better here in Afghanistan.  At the same time, however, she feels strongly that change will take time.

Through her involvement with the Women of Hope Project, Zorah has gained many valuable leadership skills both in her business and in her personal endeavors.  These skills and qualities have been recognized not only by her family and the WOHP community, but also in her home community.  Through the urging of her peers she has decided to join just a handful of other Afghan women world wide who are seeking public office.

Zorah has a desire to change her country for the better by taking the brave step of running for the Afghan National Parliament.  Not only is this truly an act of courage, it sends a message to the world that a woman who has endured the imprisonment of her husband, war, and the loss of a promising teaching career, can through the power of her work, mentoring, and power of community, reemerge ready to tackle the challenges facing her county.

As March comes to a close, the weather here appears that it is, indeed, "going out like a lamb."  From the moment I met the women in our Project, and have witnessed brave Afghan women in Kabul and other provinces, I believe, just like Zorah, that the lioness must roar before the calm and peace surrounds her Country.

Sincerely,

Sharon D. Jacko

President

Women of Hope Project