Culture shock (UNCSW Day 1)

Keri Reeves '09
2008 UNCSW Participant

The first day I ever visited the United Nations in New York is a day I will never forget. The morning began with expectancy, and being in New York and heading to the UN building made me feel important. I was excited and honored to have the privilege of visiting the actual UN Headquarters. Although I was uncertain of the things I would do and the people I would meet, I was eager to learn.

Throughout the day, I visited various side events scheduled by the United Nations. Each session was hosted by a different women’s organization and featured a different aspect of the struggle to empower women.

In the different events, I was able to hear the stories of women from around the globe. I was able to listen to women from countries like the Netherlands, Iran, India, and Australia, even faraway U.S. states like California. Sometimes, to be honest, I did not always understand what the women were talking about. Often I felt lost in the mass of information being thrust upon me, much like that of a Kleenex attempting to do the work of a sponge. It was occasionally frustrating and overwhelming. At the end of the day I almost felt the day had been a waste. Had I learned anything?

Soon the clutter filling my brain began to settle. I realized I had indeed learned something very important, possibly the most important thing I could learn from the women I had met. I realized I wanted to be like those passionate women. I want to care as they do about the rights of my fellow sisters of the world.

So many times I feel like an insignificant spectator in the game of life. I have managed to coast through without actually seeing the issues facing the women in other parts of the world; even now my knowledge is very limited. I often think my own opinions hold no weight. The women I observed in the UN meetings made me want to get involved. The ardent desire of those women is to see gender equality among the nations, and their boldness put me at a crossroad. Because of them, I want to be passionate like them and have a role and make an impact. I want my daughters to someday be proud of me and the life I live today.

Looking back now, I know for certain that day was not meaningless. There was great purpose in the events it held, and I am grateful I was able to be a part of them. Despite moments of frustration and feeling a bit overwhelmed, I realize every second was worth the realization I came to: each of us, as women, has a role to play. We can either turn a deaf ear on the cries of our sisters, or we can fight back, for their posterity and for our own.