I was raised in a small town in rural Pennsylvania. Life was protective of me there. Then I grew up and moved away. I saw the world from a very different angle: a close friend gang-raped only blocks away from our college campus; widespread sexual harassment and assault even in a workplace where women nearly outnumber men; a small child abused by his stepfather in front of silent neighbors.

It didn't matter if I was in the American Midwest or Southern France--the anger, injustice and pain were always the same. Even harder to believe is the fact this all occurred, and continues to occur, in the 21st century.

I know I'm starting small, but my hope is that one day--soon--we will eliminate this iniquity, intolerance, and criminality. Women and children who are victims will be treated with respect and understanding. They will learn to respect themselves too. Justice will be served to those who inflict hurt and oppression. Equality will come in all forms. And I will have helped to achieve it.

Thank you for letting me join you.

----

"One love, one blood, one life
You got to do what you should
One life with each other--
Sisters, brothers--
One life, but we're not the same
We get to carry each other,
Carry each other--
One."
--U2