Who Are You?

            A common theme running throughout today, for me, was that of identity.

            The morning brief (an informal summary of the previous day's proceedings - in this case from Monday due to Tuesday's Snow Day) was held as a townhall meeting, chaired by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN Women, formidable woman, she is known for her work and position. I reflected that she is known for what she does: not who she is.

            I then attended an Anglican-hosted event with Fereshteh Forough, who started the first coding school in Afghanitan. Fereshteh began our session with questions on identity: are you a refugee? have you ever been displaced by war? have you experienced discrimination based on your race/religion/country of origin/accent? Having experienced these herself, she struggled with wanting people to accept her for who she is, not her circumstances. She invited us to see (in ourselves and in those around us) the person and their gifts, rather than seeing the labels that society uses to judge.

            This afternoon I attended a side event titled "National action on Indigenous women's economic empowerment (Australia, Canada and New Zealand Perspectives)." The panel shared stories of their struggles and successes, of the need to maintain their identity as individuals and as communities; and that sometimes indigenous people are forced to choose between their culture and their future, if they live at home or move away for economic (educational and employment) opportunities.  Regardless of their decisions, their identities are impacted by them.

            I then wandered the Artisan's Fair, witnessing the identity of many captured in their handiwork - shawls and dresses, cards and embroidery, teas and finger puppets: each a very unique expression of self and culture, offered (for a price) as art from around the world, to be appreciated. 

            This evening the Ecumenical Women hosted an Advocacy dinner, a chance for people of faith attending the CSW to eat, meet, and greet. Literally, people identifying themselves by geography and denomination; names were tertiary. An interesting way to be present and presented.

            Recognising that certain situations call for specific identity factors to be brought forward (name, place, position, etc.), I reflected throughout the day on how I would want to answer the question "Who Are You?":

·        ***I want to be known as a beloved child of God.

·        ***I want to be known as an ally to the vulnerable and oppressed, and as a lover to the heartbroken.

·        ***I want to be known as a sister to all of the women who live into their own identity, from their own experience.

·        ***I want to be known as one who lived her faith fully, authentically, and enthusiastically.

           I hope the world will see my life as a testimony to that identity.