If none of us knew where we would be born, if we would be rich or poor, healthy or ill, male or female, short or tall, American or Kenyan or Indian or Chilean, what human rights would we want to have respected? That is the question posed by political theorist John Rawls, whose work redefined how we conceive of human rights, fate, and fairness. From behind that “veil of ignorance”, Rawls asked, what standards would we set for the world?

This week, to mark International Women’s Day, Oxfam celebrated the amazing contributions of two women—Anna Oloshuro Okaro and Kristin Davis. Anna and Kristin were born into different worlds; Anna was born a Masai woman in Tanzania, while Kristin was a white woman in America. And these two women have led dramatically different lives; Anna lost everything after a difficult divorce, while Kristin became world famous for her role as Charlotte York Goldenblatt in Sex and the City.

After Anna’s divorce, she fought cultural norms and laws to rebuild her life—and advocated for all women in her community to have better access to education and the right to own livestock and land. An Oxfam Global Ambassador since 2004, Kristin Davis has shone a spotlight on the worst humanitarian crises facing the world—from the tsunami in Asia to the earthquake in Haiti to the famine in East Africa—and has been a tireless advocate for women, men, and communities in crisis.

Despite all that separates them, Anna and Kristin’s paths have crossed in profound ways—and the world is much, much better for it. Last year, Kristin traveled to Tanzania with Oxfam and met Anna, her family, and her herd of cattle, sheep, and goats. Wednesday night, together on Capitol Hill, Anna and Kristin were awarded the Oxfam Women’s Leadership Award for their amazing work to advocate for women worldwide and change the rules and laws that keep women trapped in poverty.

Kristin and Anna are not alone. They were joined by 70+ Oxfam Sisters on the Planet Ambassadors and supporters who convened in Washington for Oxfam’s International Women’s Day Summit and subsequent Lobby Day. Like Kristin and Anna, these women came from all walks of life: they included authors, fighter pilots, politicians, farmers, faith leaders, professors, entrepreneurs, chefs, and leaders of national non-profit organizations. Representing more than 30 states and from across the globe, they came together to ensure that US policy supports women’s ability to access the resources and rights they need to feed the world—a key component of Oxfam’s GROW campaign.

Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama, gave an inspiring keynote speech at Wednesday’s Summit. Yesterday, on International Women’s Day itself, we flexed our considerable muscle. In over 100 meetings on Capitol Hill, our Ambassadors asked Congress to support Feed the Future, which builds the capacity of small scale women farmers, and to reform food aid to include expanded regional and local purchase options.

Women living in poverty do not have $1million to donate to a Super PAC, but yesterday, they had 70+ women using their considerable passion, voice, and influence to speak to the some of the most powerful people in the world about improving US policy so women worldwide can feed their families and communities. As Anna said, “If we raise the voices of women and ensure they have the resources and rights that they are due, anything is possible.”

A more complete wrap up of Oxfam’s efforts around International Women’s Day coming tomorrow. But for now, a treat from the White House blog and our keynote speaker, Valerie Jarrett.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/03/08/working-oxfam-fight-hunger-around-world

This morning, I had the opportunity to address Oxfam’s Sister Ambassadors at their International Women’s Day Summit in Washington, D.C. I was proud to be able to say that over the last three years, our work with organizations like Oxfam has resulted in more international support for food security, more game-changing innovations, and most importantly, more people living without hunger.

President Obama believes that the United States must fight hunger, both at home and abroad, and he believes we can only win that fight if we empower women to be true agents of change. From the day he took office, the President has worked to, as he has put it, “strengthen our common security by investing in our common humanity.”

Read the full blog here.

Actor Kristin Davis, Oxfam America President Ray Offenheiser, and Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett. Photo: Shiloh Strong/ Oxfam

This blog is written by Vicky Rateau, GROW Campaign Manager.

While Congress is paralyzed over how to solve the US budget deficit, engagement and will to address global poverty outside the Beltway are strong. Today, Members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill opened one of their favorite Hill rags, Politico, for political news and tidbits, and saw a full page ad calling on them to protect life-saving funding for millions of women and children around the world. It lists nearly 100 women’s names with impressive titles, impressive enough that it may cause some to pause and skim the list. And that is the point.

From the beginning of the long US budget planning process, a number of women from different walks of life–leaders in their cities, states, and fields–have vocally supported a strong US role in tackling global hunger, poverty, disaster relief, and the destructive effects of a changing climate. Inspired by the need and sisters here and abroad, they have been raising awareness for years about these issues. And they have been vocal in Congress, with members of the Obama Administration, and in their communities. Members of Congress have listened and responded individually and with resolutions supporting our intent. These leaders are ambassadors for the world’s poorest and hardest hit by rising food prices and climate change, those who don’t have well-heeled lobbyists pounding the halls of Congress. Many of these women leaders are Oxfam’s Sisters on the Planet ambassadors. Among them are writers and thought leaders, leaders from the League of Women Voters from around the country, corporate CEO’s and executives, local business leaders, grassroots leaders, and also Members of Congress. They are Democrat and Republican. The Sisters on the Planet Ambassadors Program is currently 277 strong.

Sharon Hanshaw, Executive Director of Coastal Women for Change and Sister on the Planet who called on Congress not to cut lifesaving aid. Photo by Liliana Rodriguez/Oxfam America.

Read the rest of this entry »