From my roommate Dorothy to the fabulous women on the recent trip I took to Cambodia:

Dear Sisters:

International Women's Day is here again with it powerful emotions about what it means to be a woman in this century.

Thoughts of the Japanese Comfort Women, those who remain, now between 70 and 90 years old and still just trying to get the Japanese government to say the simple words: "We're sorry."

Thoughts of women in Cambodia and Zimbabwe and Sudan and Nicaragua and Iraq and Afghanistan and Palestine and Juarez and in the new squatter camps springing up in so many of our own U.S. cities -- just trying to figure out how to keep on living and making a home for their families.

Lesbians in California, fighting for official recognition of their families and everywhere living their love against enormous odds.

Women throughout the world, struggl ing in the face of an ever more severe social discomposition where governments and corporations and military establishments have carved a life that does not include or support life.

I think of the White House--built in part by slaves and inhabited now by a beautiful black family--and despite my best attempts at reason, hope lights its small flame.

We are all in this together, and today I simply take a few moments to celebrate the millions of brave women on whose shoulders we stand and whose hands we hold.

It was an amazing journey with you as my sister travelers. This is a bond we will forever share.

Happy International Women's Day!

Love in action,