The following Huffington Post pieces address International Women’s Day, recognized on March 8.

Huffington Post: Resource Mothers: Women Healing Women
Nancy Jallo, international medical educator

“…Whether it’s difficulties during childbirth or illness in the first years of life, ensuring that mothers and newborns stay alive and healthy in many parts of the world is a significant challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. … The Resource Mothers are leaders in their communities who work to improve the health of mothers and their babies. … To date over 650 pregnant teens and their babies have been served by the Resource Mothers program. With proper care and treatment, maternal, and infant deaths can be avoided and the inspirational women of the Resource Mothers program are positive proof that change is possible” (3/9).

Huffington Post: Birthing Justice for Women in Haiti
Laura Carmichael, actress and advocate for Haiti: Make Births Safe, and Clotilde Josaime St Jean, community health nurse and program manager for community health programs at Haiti: Make Births Safe

“… One of the simplest actions you can take to improve an expectant mother and child’s health is to provide them with a birthing kit. A small bag with essential items for delivery and immediate care and sanitation can greatly reduce the risks of infection, a major cause of newborn mortality. … We are two different women, doing very different jobs on opposite sides of the world. But we’ve come together for this important international campaign, and on this International Women’s Day, we encourage you to join us in working towards a future where every birth is a healthy birth” (3/8).

Huffington Post: Liberia: Empower Women, Transform a Nation
Karin Landgren, special representative of the U.N. Secretary-General and coordinator of United Nations Operations in Liberia

“… The full and equal participation of women and girls in Liberia’s development and governance is the country’s gain; when women are empowered, nations are transformed. …[O]n International Women’s Day, the United Nations highlights the importance of equality for women and girls to bring about greater social, economic, and political progress. Nowhere is this more urgent than in the fragile countries, such as Liberia, where past war and poverty have left the greatest need for transformation” (3/8).

Huffington Post: For International Women’s Day, Let’s Make Childbirth Safe Everywhere
Vanessa Kerry, CEO of Seed Global Health

“This week I was honored to have taken the stage with First Lady Michelle Obama, Deputy Secretary Heather Higginbottom and the 10 outstanding award recipients from around the globe being honored at the 2014 International Women of Courage Awards ceremony. These honorees’ unwavering dedication to improve the lives of their communities and countries in the face of serious adversity is truly remarkable. I am deeply inspired by these women — and by the countless other women … — who persevere to make positive change in the world despite significant challenges set before them…” (3/8).