Isn't is ironic?

I just finished reading a book about this young woman.

The book tells her true story of being a teenage student in Kabul as the Taliban take over and begin their 5 years of terror and torture. Kamila Sidiqi, as a woman, can no longer travel at will, attend school, or work outside her home. When in public she must be accompanied by a male escort and wear the blue chadari covering her from head to foot. To defy Taliban commands is to invite death.

Kamila is a strong, smart woman and she soon finds a way not to only provide for her family but to also support the neighborhood women as dressmakers working at home in their family compounds. It is a great story of resiliency and courage. To read more about Kamila on NPR go here.

I find it ironic that Osama bin Laden spent the last 5 years if his life living as Kamila did while under his influence and that of the Taliban. He was sequestered in a walled compound dependent on others to venture out and return with food and supplies knowing that his life would be in danger if he were found on the outside. Perhaps that is the true payback.

I also recently finished this historical novel of a Civil War nurse. Mary Sutter is also a strong, smart, and resilient woman who struggles against a man's world. Trained as a midwife her true dream is to become a doctor. She continues to follow her dream as she endures the horror and medical crisis that follow the soldiers. Her dream is finally realized.

The author, Robin Oliveira, provides very detailed descriptions of medical practices of this time including the research which takes place during that same time period. Again ironically, just years after the war, enough is known about infection and fighting it, that many lives could have been saved from the simple washing of hands and instruments before the next amputation. Important historical note; there were 20 Civil War nurses who went on to become female doctors after the war.

Women around the world continue to struggle to obtain basic human rights and the opportunity to develop their talents. I am grateful for strong, courageous, and resilient women who continue to make a difference.


I am grateful that my mother was such a woman and I honor her this Mother's Day. She served her country and used the GI Bill to become an educated woman with the skills necessary to work as a medical technologist. She raised six children mostly as a single parent while also caring for a husband with multiple medical issues. I am grateful that she lived in a time and place that allowed her opportunities. I am grateful for her unselfish love.

I also love this talk given last September by Julie Beck to the women of the world.