It seemed to me and others that women's business initiatives, such as micro-credit enterprises, were based less on acceptance of egalitarian values, and more on economic desperation felt by impoverished women. The country's only advocacy organization for women, the National Union of Eritrean Women, was struggling to maintain its focus, credibility and funding. As she stood and answered questions for the high-school girls in Keren, Gloria Steinem explained that their situation was in some ways unique, but it was also shared by women all over the world. She tried to make it clear that women everywhere could readily understand their struggle, and would not want Eritrean women to give up their hard-won gains. The bright, hopeful faces in the overheated classroom inspired Gloria Steinem to tell another story, a metaphor for change that she used often in her speeches.
Scientists now say that everything is connected, in ways that are mysterious yet powerful.
Energy fields are so sensitive that the flapping of a butterfly's wings in one location can actually set in motion a storm hundreds of miles away. At that moment, to the surprise of all of us, a dove flew in an open window, flapped its wings gracefully, then flew out again. As the laughter died down, I joked that the Goddess had blessed the conference, as well as Gloria's remarks, with a clear sign of approval. With the conference nearly at an end, we took a tea-break with the girls, shielding ourselves from the sun in the shade of pepper and jacaranda trees. I asked one of the girls to describe her future career path.