It was my honor to travel to the Soroptimist International of the Americas Biennial Convention with almost 700 other attendees representing more than 25,000 members across the Pacific Rim and North, Central, and South America. Soroptimists from all over the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, and more converged in Bellevue, Washington.

There is clearly strength in numbers when you can see our global economic, political, and environmental impact as a collective federation. By prioritizing women who are furthest from justice and girls who face additional obstacles, we not only improve but truly transform lives throughout the world. As a result of our dream programs, women and girls are more educated, more safe, more confident, even proud of their past and excited for their future.

Investing in women and girls benefits individuals, households, communities, and countries. It is not just the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do.