Emily Wernsdorfer (Photo by Robert Fogarty)
Dear Clinton is a collection of photographs and letters explaining what public service bridge our students are building. This special collection was produced in partnership with Dear World, an innovative photography venture for social good.
Dear President Clinton,
I envision a world where every woman is safe. This goal is of the utmost importance to global and local development and prosperity, and while its scope is huge and daunting, I also feel that it is feasible.
The word “safe” tends to make us think in terms of physical security. To most people, being safe means being free from physical abuse or injury. Discussions about the safety of women center around little girls being safe to attend school without the fear of being shot or women evacuating countries rife with political instability to start successful businesses.
However, physical safety from violence, while vital, is not the only form of security that women must be given. I dream of a day when women are safe from the persecution, ignorance, discrimination, disdain, scorn, disapproval, and mocking that so often comes along with simply being female.
I want all women to feel safe in every way.
Safe to speak up about injustices or seek aid openly. Safe to refuse participation in practices like female circumcision. Safe to challenge outdated and harmful norms to make autonomous decisions. Safe from being coerced or forced into prostitution. Safe to participate and make meaningful, recognized contributions to their communities. Safe from rape or sexual assault, no matter what they wear, where they walk, or what they drink. Safe to seek medical care when necessary, or to demand access to healthcare when it’s considered secondary for a woman to receive treatment. Safe to seek an education. Safe to have a career. Safe to express opinions that aren’t written off as weak or overly emotional. Safe to love and marry whomever they wish. Safe from the horrors of war and the fear of displacement. Safe to call people out for their problematic ideas of what a woman “should” be.
I want all women to feel safe being strong, resilient, independent, talented, beautiful, capable, world-changing women.
Thank you,
Emily