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Showing posts from March 8, 2011

International Women's Day in Afghanistan

One of things I remember most fondly of my time in Afghanistan was the celebration of International Women's Day in Ghanzi Province, Afghanistan. Here was several photos and a story I wrote during that time nearly 4 years ago. Even though Army Pvt. Jeanne O’Brien couldn’t understand the language, customs, or culture of the hundreds of Afghan women surrounding her, she still had something in common with them. O’Brien, a driver in the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, had been asked to join a party of female Soldiers going to the city of Ghazni, to celebrate the women of Afghanistan’s accomplishments in education, politics, and public service since the birth of their new government five years ago after decades of repression. “I might not have been able to understand what they were saying,” she said. “But I can understand their sense of pride and accomplishment, Change is a very scary thing, and learning how to stand up for yourself is terrifying