Horizons magazine is published by Presbyterian Women (PW) the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Issue link: http://horizons.epubxp.com/i/521232
34 W hy would they pick me to go t o the United Nations? That was my initial thought when I heard my application to be a part of PC(USA)'s delegation to the Commission on the Status of Women had been approved. My first few days at CSW involved getting to know others in the delegation, attending orientation and trying not to make a total fool out of myself. I was the youngest, but I was not alone; my beautiful, witty, feminist grandmother [Florence Vargas, whose reflection appears on p. 35] joined me on this adventure. We grew up in very different times, but this experience let me see her with fresh eyes. I don't think I tell her enough how much she inspires me. The first panel I attended focused on comprehensive sexual education. A panelist said, "Abstinence goes to the issue of consent and the entitlement to decide when one will be sexually active. With information, with understanding, abstinence is increased. Abstinence doesn't leave room for sexual violence, child marriage or lack of consent. Even if one is abstinent until marriage, you still need information after transitioning into sexual activity. Abstinence is an element of a picture, a tile in the mosaic. On its own, it's insufficient." The next day, I was blessed to learn about "table banking," a system widespread throughout Kenya in which women gather regularly and put a specified amount of their savings onto the table. At each gathering, a loan is made to one of the women, who repays the loan with interest. In some settings, women use the money for basic expenses; in others, women use the money as micro- finance capital to lease land or buy an animal that will produce eggs or milk. It's women helping other women with what they have. The world needs equality, justice, and peace. It's easy to get depressed about the lack of these in the world. But I believe what Jackie Spycher, field staff for Young Women's Ministries & Presbyterian College Women, said, "As a community of faith, it is our job to bring hope." To stand up and to actively make this world a better place is a daunting task. But what a Godly task. Thank you to all of my fellow Presbyterian Women whose shoes I will never be able to fill, but whose love and action for a better world I will always imitate. Thank you to Mark and Ryan (staff at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations) for making this all possible. Lisiann Rodriguez is a college student at Baylor University and a young women's representative-at- large on the CCT. Communities of Caring Women BY LISIANN RODRIGUEZ Lisiann Rodriguez (right) participates in a panel discussion on "table banking."