Suzanne Mubarek - Actions Speak Louder Than Words
an article by Joanne Tawfilis

I have been watching and cheering the efforts of Cindy Sheehan's courageous stand for PEACE, and can't help but reflect upon the many other women I know that are real "heroes" in wanting to end the war in Iraq and that pursue PEACE. These women range from mother's like Cindy to women leaders.

One of these leaders you may not see in the media so often, is Suzanne Mubarek, First Lady of Egypt. She has a quiet voice with much power. Her style is to identify problems, take action and seek solutions. She does this at her own volition and works hard and consistently for Women and Children's Rights and has done so, for years on end. Her actions speak louder than words.

She has founded at least three organizations that I have interacted with: The Integrated Care Society was founded by her in 1977. The National Council for Children and Motherhood serves as a dynamic force in support of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Also, under her leadership, Women For Peace International rallies women leaders from the Middle East and beyond.

Her causes range from eradicating illiteracy among children by establishing libraries in schools, promoting the construction of schools for girls in rural areas in Egypt, concern about and involvement in environmental initiatives, supporting and promoting the Special Olympics and peace in the Middle East.

What I admire about her, is her approach to achieving peace. To quote Mrs. Mubarek, her philosophy about women's quest for peace involves, "Working alongside men, we also aim to find alternative solutions to conflict and promote the Culture of Peace throughout the world." I encourage you to learn more about this First Lady's on going efforts that clearly support the UNESCO Decade for the Culture of Peace.

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

What are other First Ladies doing to support the culture of peace?


As a reader, you are invited to join in the discussion of this article based on any of the above question(s): just click on the question, read the previous comments and add a new reply. You may also enter a new discussion topic on this article - see bottom of this page.

Thematic forum(s) in which this article is being discussed:

WOMEN MAKING PEACE

Latest reader comment:

Eleanor Roosevelt was such an inspiring First Lady.
Does anyone know whether Laura Bush has done anything to support the culture of peace?  or Mrs. Putin, for that matter?

This report was posted on September 1, 2005. The moderator is Tony.

If you wish to start a new discussion topic on this article, please copy the title of this article which is Suzanne Mubarek - Actions Speak Louder Than Words and its number which is 255 and enter this information along with your discussion question and a brief text on the new topic form.

A few stories are retained on the main listings if they are considered by readers to be a priority. If you have not already done so, please take the time to check a box below: should this article be considered as a priority?