There's so much to say about the importance of advocating for women and girls around the world who don't have the power to speak up for themselves.  There's so much to be said for hundreds of people who, despite a rampant economic crisis, set aside time and money to travel and stand up on behalf of those girls and their communities. But what you don't expect from attending this conference is the impact it will have on you, as an advocate.

Real quick – I forgot to tell you something exciting about Day 1 of the CARE Conference. My first year, 2007, I noticed that there weren’t many Black women here and I really, really was concerned about that. I know so many Black women that are concerned about poverty, and CARE is an organization about women, so why weren’t they here? I sought out to change that.

First of all, let me say we've had some technical issues at the conference, so my apologies if these blog entries have misspellings or omitted words... so here goes again.

For us advocates, one of the biggest pleasures of working with CARE is being able to learn about the work being done on the ground around the world. The "Voices from the Field" session moderated by CARE COO Steve Hollingworth brought together members of CARE's teams from Peru, Kenya, Bangladesh and the Caribbean for a lively discussion about what is and what is not working in CARE's country programs.

Real quick – I forgot to tell you something exciting about Day 1 of the CARE Conference. My first year, 2007, I noticed that there weren’t many Black women here and I really, really was concerned about that. I know so many Black women that are concerned about poverty, and CARE is an organization about women, so why weren’t they here? I sought out to change that.

At the CARE National Conference in Washington, DC, many important workshops have been set up for participants to learn how to become better advocates for the world’s poorest people.

When I told my friends this weekend that I was taking 2 days off work to fly to DC this week for the CARE National Conference, they were kind of shocked.  Well, not completely shocked; the theme of this event is totally something I would want to be a part of, but I had been complaining lately that I had so much material to cover with my high school students before the end of the year.

I just sat through an info-session on the need to update US Foreign Assistance at the CARE National Convention.  The speakers from Oxfam, Women Thrive Worldwide, and the Center for Global Development were energetic, informative and quite intriguing.

As Wolf Blitzer recapped President Obama's 100 days in office, we ate bagged lunches (vegetarian choice was yummy) and watched clips from CNN's coverage of the 2008 presidential campaign. Blitzer gave a run-down of his own resume as a news man, including "watching the red flag come down off the Kemlin in Moscow." in the 1980s, at the beginning of the end of the cold war, and the moment that he announced Barack Obama had won the presidency on November 4, 2008. "in 240 countries, people were watching CNN international," he said with a smile. One audience member asked a tough question about journalists falling prey to the idea of WMDs in Iraq, and Blitzer recanted with "if I'd known then what I know now." One wishes ther'd been more time for questions when somone posed the kicker, "As one of the most influential voices on television, why not lend yours more often to defending dignity and fighting poverty"?

--Kristi York Wooten

Care National Conference kicked off this morning with a call to action. Susan Crown, board member, welcomed over 600 participants, the largest group ever assembled, representing 40 states and 250 congressional districts.

These extraordinary times and the state of the financial crisis brings into focus just how interconnected our world really is.  Helene Gayle noted that people have a tendency to focus inward during these times of crisis, but our assembly in the nation’s capital emphasizes the important of global poverty during these times.

Tomorrow the while we are connecting with our Congressional Leaders on Capital hill, hundreds of thousands of others will be connecting with their congressional leaders via phone call and email.  Our many voices coming together in one movement to elevate global poverty on the US Agenda, the electricity and enthusiasm here is infectious.  

Cheryl

“ It’s our call to build on the movement of voices for affecting change,” Co-Chair Susan Crown said of the 7^th annual CARE National Conference and Celebration as she opened the breakfast plenary on Tuesday, May 5.

When Crown introduced the theme of this year’s event (“Many Voices. One Movement”) and CARE president and CEO Helene (“the great equator of CARE”) to approving nods from the crowd, it was clear that the more than 600 participants were eager to heed the call -- and prepare to become a voice for the voiceless at visits to policymakers from 250 congressional districts.

In the crowd: state chairs, student winners of a Yahoo! contest, one former supermodel, CARE USA’s Board Chair, Bo Cutter, as well as CARE supporters from dozens of countries. In her remarks, Dr. Gayle acknowledged a handful of participants who’d attended the conference every year, building the event up from its original group of 20 to this year’s largest-ever gathering. Gayle also stressed the importance of key issues – including climate change, hunger and food security, and preventing child marriage – especially at a time when the world is in economic turmoil.

“We’re in the midst of an extraordinary year as global citizens,” Gayle said. “It’s easy to turn inward and focus on our own problems during a financial crisis, but that’s short-sighted,” she warned. “53 more million people have been thrown into poverty, and our problems and theirs are intertwined. There’s no luxury in waiting until the financial crisis is over. It’s important more than ever that we act now.”

As a volunteer from Georgia who interacts regularly with CARE staff in Atlanta, I am privileged and honored to be here in DC to “act now.” This morning, I am heartened by the mood and enthusiasm:  I have seen many familiar faces from the recent A Powerful Noise Live! event in NYC in March, as well as many new faces I am eager to meet and reconnect with, including guests David Lane (President and CEO of ONE – I’m also a ONE volunteer co-leader) and musician Michael Franti (whom I interviewed years ago).

Full from bagels, juice, and apple, I’m now off to the briefing on hunger and food security. I’m ever mindful of the world’s ironies and disproportions, but also very thankful for my many blessings, and that’s why I’m here lending my voice today.

--Kristi York Wooten

I’m back here again in DC! Taking 2 days off of my corporate job to advocate for the world’s poor. This conference, I know for a fact changes lives – not just worldwide, but here at home – including mine. And all under a new President.

This being my third year, I never thought that I’d be a leader, because truthfully what did I know about politics? I have no degree in anything political and I haven’t done lobbying before, but the feeling I had walking around Capitol Hill last week and sitting in the offices of Casey and Specter – was a feeling of empowerment. It sounds really corny, but it is really true.  This year, we again are meeting with Casey and Specter, but also House Reps Sestak and Gerlach.

This year the Fighting Global Hunger, Tackling Climate Change and Reduce Its Impact on the World’s Poor, Protecting and Empowering Girls by Preventing Child Marriage. WOW – heavy topics, right?! But no doubt, very real topics that need our attention right now…as in - yesterday.

I have the blessing of leading a Pennsylvania group of 12, 4 of which whom are in my direct group and 2 newbies, who are really nervous. I assure them that they already have what it takes to attack the Hill tomorrow – passion! Note that they came here on their own time with their own funds. Powerful!

Last night, I took the train in DC to be sure to get a good night’s rest – and also to see some of my fellow advocates that came in for all over the world, including artist/musician and activist, Michael Franti (who is really good looking by the way).

This morning, the conference opened with an inspiring welcome by CARE’s President and CEO, Dr. Helane Gayle (who is just awe-inspiring and wonderful). We learned more facts about why we are here. We know, but her words thanking us and telling us what a difference we make – reassured us.

The plight of women worldwide means a lot to me. Knowing that we are helping a mother RIGHT NOW who is choosing between food herself and food for her child is enough to bring me back year after year. Hopefully I’ll see your footsteps right beside me…one day, someday….today.

Bye for now!

As the first day of CARE’s National Conference comes to a close, I stumble across a chilling analysis of global efforts to reduce maternal mortality. The Herald (UK) reports that the United Nations target of reducing maternal mortality by 75% between 1990 and 2015 is “nowhere near being touched.” Considering the fact that 500,000 women still die each year from pregnancy complications and we’ve only got 7 more years to reach the target, “nowhere near” is not nearly good enough.

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2506009.0.UN_maternal_mortality_target_nowhere_near_being_touched.php

At this evening’s reception I met a number of people deeply ingrained in CARE’s work, maternal health an issue especially close to the mothers in the room. In addition to the die hard advocates, I ran into men and women that journeyed to DC to get a better glimpse of what CARE does to fight poverty. From Balmville, NY to Bangladesh each person shared their passion for the organization and their reason for attending. Some came for the excitement of lobbying on the Hill, while a CARE staff member from Ecuador wanted to know how to tell the stories of the women in her projects better. Each felt they had a stake in lifting the floor for the poorest people.

One woman succinctly said she was here “because every little bit helps.” As I sit in my room thinking about all the mothers still dying while trying to give life I wonder, is this saying cliché? Does every little bit really help? Can my actions here in Washington D.C. really save even one mother’s life?

So often we’re told that foreign aid is just a band-aid on the problem, or that development does more harm than good. It is easy to get so overwhelmed by the debates and issues that we do nothing at all. But we can’t afford to.

The truth is, every little bit DOES help. One midwife can save hundreds of mother’s lives. If you knew you’re “little bit” could save a life, would you hesitate to do it? As I journey to the issue sessions tomorrow I will seek out the little bits I can do to have an impact on my world. I invite you all to join me.

If you’re on Twitter follow CARE and the National Conference at #ncc. You can also tune into the action on our CARE USA Facebook page.