Voice of America to Honor 9 Women of Courage!

Photo from http://www.blogs.state.gov

Were you aware that the Voice of America awards women the title of being courageous each year? This year, Michelle Obama will be giving this award to 9 women from various countries, honoring them for their acts of courage, and these women are truly exceptional. 

Recently, the US State Department released an article about these 9 women regarding their acts of courage, where they are from, and why they are receiving these awards. At a time when the world could use more peace, it's refreshing to see this award being given to so many women! 

The question is, as a woman, what do you call courageous? Do you feel as though it often takes courage just for you to make it through one day with your children and everything on your list? It has a few of us shaking our heads, and wondering what we could do to help change the world, or create a better place for our children right? 

Here is a bit about these women, and what they did with their time and talent to help make the world a better place! 

Voice of America Chooses International Women for The Award of Courageous Woman! 

Malalai Bahaduri 

While this name may not ring a bell with you, Malalai is one of the women being awarded along with 8 others for the Women of Courage award by Michelle Obama. She is a Second Lieutenant, and at the age of 2 she was born in the Wardak Province, Kabul. Although she was living under the Taliban rules, she received her educationg through grade 12, which is something that very few women were able to do. 

The year 2002 brought a lot of promise for her as her husband supported her decision to go into law enforcement. Surprisingly, the only threats of death and pain were from her own uncle who abused her and broke her nose as a result of her decision in changing her career. 

Her perservance and her desire to be a mother of 3 and have a career, kept her going, and she was the first woman to be named as a member of the Afghan National Interdiction Unit, and she has played an important role in forming the Counter Narcotics Police. Her story is one of courage and determination, and when asked why she fought her way through, she simply stated that it was important for men and women to have equal rights. 

Now that she has grandchildren, they will have quite a legacy before them, and one that we can all learn from as women! 

Voice of America also is presenting Julieta Castellanos from Honduras with an award of courage as well. For Julieta, it's more than dealing with women's right or issues. Julieta is concerned and deeply driven by everything that affects her home country of Honduras. 

She took big steps in working with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and has made countless efforts in helping her nation recover from violent political acts. Julieta has taken great care in forming an organization that covers more than 400 organizations, and champions them toward a civil society. This has not been an easy feat for this country, as violence has repeatedly been the norm. 

Would Voice of America Choose You? 

Now that you have had a chance to read more about the Voice of America in choosing these 9 women of courage, would they choose you? Could  the Voice of America find courage in you, so much so that they would be compelled too award you for  making a difference? 

The reality is that not only should you take a stand for what is right, but you as a woman are the guidepost for our children, and for teaching our young women how they should live. Are you as a woman doing everything that you should do? 

If you are not, then consider how you can use your gifts and talents to help others, and how you can be more instrumental in changing the world. Be the change you want to see, and for you that could start in your home. Perhaps, you have daugthers at home, and you would  like to see them grow into strong, Godly, and courageous women. 

If you need a little help, check out our website at www.courageouslife.com, and be sure to check out how you can wear your courage too! Remember, it's always wise to live courageously! 

Mother Theresa a Woman of Courage

You might be wondering why so many loved Mother Theresa, and why so many looked up to her. It wasn't about her good works but it was always in fact about her compassion for others. Her belief was that no matter how others reacted to her kindness, she would still do it anyhow.

It has been said to have access to her diaries would have been a monumental gift, but with that aside, it's worth studying her as a woman to see how as a figure of compassion and grace, she had ways of sharing love that most of us wouldn't consider.

So, what is it about Mother Theresa that gives us such a great example to follow? It was probably her ability to speak about kindness and compassion, but also her ability to truly carry it out.

Who is Mother Theresa? 

If you aren't familiar with Mother Theresa, you should be. Learning to be more courageous and compassionate has everything to do with her these days. 

While some of us cannot fathom all of her time spent on those less fortunate, she believed it to be the ONLY way to live her life. In fact, if you have ever watched The Secret, you know that they mention her. Perhaps it's not the law of attraction, but it's probably the fact that:

• She was only focused on doing and NOT having
• She lived what she taught
• She was consistent
• She cared for those that no one else would care for 

As a result, people looked to her as a great example, but were often still not prepared to do what she was doing. Let's face it, if someone smells bad, are we anxious to get closer to them? No. In fact, I know I often don't feel that way. 

No joke intended here, but it's getting close to those that no one else wants to get close to that builds courage in your life whether you realize it or not. It is just that we don't WANT to do something? Or is it perhaps because people fear that they will be rejected by others? 

Perhaps isolation is a better word, because your friends may not follow you or support your endeavor. It takes courage to do what others won't, and to keep on doing it when everyone else has walked away. Does that make sense? 

So, what are you doing or focusing on doing to help others? Do you volunteer your time, or do you make it a point to compliment people each day? Do you make it a point to do more of something you should have done a long time ago?

No matter what the case may be, the thing is you need to understand that to be who God wants you to be, it will require you to do things you normally wouldn't consider. So, can you do that? Do you long to be courageous? 

Only you can decide for yourself. 

If you want to live courageously, read the story of Mother Theresa, and then focus on just serving others. It takes courage to serve too, because you may not get anything in return. Are you willing to accept that? 

Live Courageously!