Heroes. Child Advocates. Nuturing Parents. Freedome Fighters. Novelist. Global Leaders. Friend. Healers. Protectors Of Our Planet. Educators. Global Citizens.
Today the world is celebrating International Women's Day!
Every day, I celebrate the amazing women who have touched my life!
I am not a dainty guy by any means. In fact, you could say I am quite the opposite. I have kept my body, mind, and spirit fit and sharp. Professionally, I am active in the technology sector, and have been for a long time. As a storyteller, it has been said my works have impacted the lives of many on every continent. In my philantropy I have come to the assistance of many children who are in crisis, particularly children fighting cancer or at risk of, or who have been abducted. Holding true to my perspective that life is filled with magic, I have allowed the 'Peter Pan' in me to exist. Perhaps this is why I fight the way I do with the I CARE Foundation to make sure that all the lost boys and girls in abduction's Neverland come home.
In reflection, most all of who I am and who I have become, is because of some incredible women who have guided me throughout my life. I know that all of who I am comes in great part because of some courageous women, who are unquestionably, my heroes.
But there is so much more.
For example, when the I CARE Foundation began our grassroots effort to raise awareness of the warning signs and risk factors of international parental child abduction and trafficking, it was
only an amazing group of women who answered our call for help. And help they did! By stewarding the eduational messages of child abduction prevention, these international women - located as far away as the Philippines, Indonesia, South Africa, Kenya, England, Germany, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and of course the United States - played a major role in a groundbreaking event: they pushed back the pandemic of international child abduction as demonstrated by the reported cases of abduction that had nearly 30 years of consecutive growth: reported abductions originating from the United States declined by 15% during 2011 and 2012!
Now granted, the majority of the parents who stood in the line of educational defense for children originated from the United States - but by the virtue of the statistical impact, it is clear that mobilzied women - their hands reaching across international borders - have the incredible ability of changing the world. And this is clearly demonstrated by how a major international family issue - child abduction - has been impacted.
On this note, I would like to thank some of my friends and children warriors from all over the world for what each of you have done to assist children in crisis. So a special thank you is extended to Maria Henderson, Carolyn Ann Vlk, Patricia Lee, Jennifer Cluff, Amanda Gammell, Patricia McKnight, Wangari Maathai, Haseena Patel, Victoria Vaccariello Swope, Stacey Jo Burns, PJ Schott, Britenee Degenhart, Tiffany Degenhart, Nancy Carty Lepri, Mary Tinitigan, Nanette Bonilla, Angeline De Luca, Annette Fuerriero, Carmen Ducharme Rochette, Jennifer Brooks Nelissen, Linda Blair, Shannon Colonna, Abigail Kidd Mui, Ida Acconciamessa, Lyndsey Doyle, Pameal Mitchell, Ann Marquez, Aprile Mazey, Leslie Warren, Kathy Marrocco, Alicia Yamashita, Sharon Simons, Susann Gehring, Stephanie Seymour, Claire Minnaar, Willa Stock, Elisabeth Hirsch, Katie Smith, Melanie Melugin, Patsy Woo, Bobbie Anne Munsey, Heather Jones, Cascia Talbert, Amanda Coburn, Erica Kloestra, Janice Roodsari, Leah Ison, Rachel Burk, Tamara Vellozzo, Lauren Johnson, Sabrina Dennis, Laura Taft, Ewa Kelly, Erin Henderschedt, Cheryl Bullock, Connie Lee, Gennevieve Elise Derveld, Megan Slattery, Connie Lee, Jilhan Tekinapp, Sher Wheeler, Stacey Stein Eva, Eri Nelson, Kali Panago, Gwen Johnson, Rita Evelyn Yanes, Carol Rita Sylvia, Jullian Steward, Barbara Craig, Patricia Hoff, and of course Amanda of Werdyab, Janessa of Thrifty Nifty Mommy, Jule from Takes a Village, Carlia from Nest Building 101, Natasha from Serenity You, Heather from Proud Book Nerd, Dianna from Free Sample Momma, Jane from Speak Jane Speak, Rondi from WAHM Resources, Stephanie from Random Mommy Blog, Jessica from Naturally Mamas, and so many others incredible international women who I have not mentioned but surely wanted to.
Each of you is right about this world. Each of you in your own special way bespeaks of the hope of tomorrow and the possibility of true global citizenship. And each of you has impacted my life along the way.
Today the world celebrates International Women's Day. Every day, in my own special way, I celebrate each of you.
Enjoy!
Stacey Jo Burns
Patricia McKnight
Wangari Maathai
Mary Welsh Hemingway and Jacqueline Saix
In case you might be wondering what I believe in . . . that's pretty simple.
Kindest regards to all,
PETER THOMAS SENESE
