When I said yes to meeting with the women's delegation from south and central asia, I had no idea what to expect. Women from the US who had lived and worked in the middle east, perhaps? But as soon as the door opened and about a dozen women from Nepal, India, Afganistan and many other Eastern countries walked into the room with warm smiles and fascinating backgrounds, I knew I had been completely and totally wrong. The meeting started with a brief introduction from everyone in the room. Many of the women told us about their background and some even offered advice. One woman, a teacher from India, told us that "nothing is impossible. you can do anything." and that remarkable hopefulness nearly made me, someone who rarely cries about anything, almost start crying. Some told us about how they were brought up with values that allowed several to have seats in their countrie's parlaiment, most of which they learned from their mothers. Throughout the meeting, many things were discussed, such as education, politics, and why we in america have not had many women in high positions of power. and meanwhile, I would listen and wonder why we, in a country thought to be so much more socially advanced than these women's countries, hadn't had a woman president or vice president. And still, nearly a week later, I can not figure the answer out. Once the meeting was over, we stood outside saying final goodbyes as three of them gave me their business cards and two talked to me about how girls in their country could not go to school, which made me realize how much I take for granted in life. School for me has alwas been something I had to do every day, but after hearing them talk, I will try and consider it more of a privilage than an obligation. After the women had climbed into the bus and driven off, we went back inside and talked about our experiences. All of us could only say one thing, "that was amazing." We all looked back on things that were said, things that we wished we would have said, and things that we will take with us through the rest of our lives. Even though this meeting only lasted a couple hours, it was one of the highlights of my entire summer and my entire Girls For a Change experience.

Molly Cech, Girls for a Change Core Committee Member