We are sisters: Always in solidarity.

July and the first month of the "We are Sisters" series is flying to an end. I am so comforted and moved when I get messages that saying you signed a petition for Sakineh Ashtiani or wrote your representatives.

It does make a difference.

I always wondered how much the phone in's and letter writing campaigns to congress people mattered. When I went to Lobby Day for the Congenital Heart Futures Act in April, I learned truly it makes a difference.

Aides in those offices do listen to constituents and groups. I wish all of you could go to Capitol Hill for the day to see that those letters and phone calls do make an impact.

A tangent, but wanted to thank you, thank you for writing in to tell your representative to support HR 1371, condemning Iran's seat on the UN Commission on the Status of Women. And, it's not too late, if you haven't already, take a moment to speak up.

Part of me is sad to leave behind our sisters in Iran, but I realize we aren't leaving them behind. We'll work for them always.

After all, we stand in solidarity with our sisters in Iran.

Their pain is our pain.

We are sisters: We can't forget her.

We are sisters is a new campaign to reach out and help women across the globe. Each month, we're talking about a new group of women and how to help. For the first month, we're talking about Iran. If any of you have suggestions for women that need to have their story told, send me an email to kbrite@gmail.com and we can work together on something.

Two weeks ago, Sakineh Ashtiani grabbed headlines across the globe because she sat on death row facing death by stoning.

Last week must have been so scary for the women of Iran. The regime announced that  they're tracking people that stand up for Sakineh. Her lawyer and son were both interrogated. At one point, a rumor flew around the web that Sakineh's stoning was imminent.

Saturday July 24, people around the globe are speaking out for Sakineh. In the Untied States, protests/rallies are planned in Dallas, New York, and Washington D.C.

Sakineh's story grabbed headlines because of the awful punishment she faces. Keeping the pressure on Iran is key. Please keep spreading the word, signing petitions, and writing government officials.

We are sisters. Iran, that country stoning people, on UN women's committee.

So, "We are Sisters" is a new series started this month. Based on the premise that as women we should protect each other and show support. Each month, I'm going to write a series of blog posts about an area in our world needing our love and attention with ways to jump in and help. This month, we're focusing on our sisters in Iran.

 Brace yourselves. Sit down for this one. Iran, the country stoning women for trumped up adultery charges? The country that kills women simply for not wearing "proper" attire? Sits on the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Don't know about you, but I really don't want Iran having any sort of voice in my status, or of that of my international sisters.

Thankfully, we're not the only ones to see the problem with that appointment. House Resolution condemns Iran's seat. My friend Joanne Michelle sent me this website she's worked on with more information about the resolution.

It's important this passes and that the United States stand up firmly against Iran's seat

So, sharpen your pencils, we're going on a letter writing campaign.

Find  and write to your representative using this online form.

Here's a sample letter, again from Joanne's website, irshn.org.

Dear Representative [Name],

I am appealing to you to support HR 1371: Condemning the selection of the Government of Iran to serve on the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Iran’s selection to the UN Commission on the Status of Women disregards its continued systematic oppression of women and violations of international law, including UN declarations to which it is a signatory. I urge you to join Rep. McCotter and the sponsors of HR 1371 in reaffirming the United States’ solidarity with the Iranian people and denouncing the selection of Iran to the Commission. The women of Iran have demonstrated tremendous strength in opposition to their government's atrocities, and it is our duty to stand with them by supporting this bill.

Sincerely,

Your Name

 

Takes all of two minutes to copy paste, change a thing or two and send off.

Be heard. For our sisters in Iran that have been silenced.

We are sisters: #Ashtiani is not alone, others face stoning in #Iran.

Yesterday, I introduced my new series, "We are sisters." Each month, I'll write posts about the plight of our sisters around the globe (sometimes even right here in North America). As promised I'm starting with Iran.

An Iranian mother of two shined the spotlight on Iran this week.

Background: The news that Sakineh Ashtiani faced death by stoning in Iran caused an international uproar. Ashtiani has already been lashed 99 times and spent years in prison. Her crime? Adultery.

Her trial was in a language she didn't speak. Her family maintains her innocence. And, come on, I have no tolerance for infidelity, but the death penalty?

Late in the week, Iran announced Ashtiani wouldn't be stoned to death. The headline might seem like good news. It is not. She could still be executed. She's already been imprisoned and lashed.

Why it matters: Stoning is a barbaric practice, but just as awful is executing people for non-crimes without proper trials and representation. Did you know Iran executes people simply for being homosexual?  Did you know other Iranians are in jail right now facing death by stoning? Ashtiani's story is not a victory, yet. I do hope she is freed.

Help: Take a few minutes to help our sisters in Iran.

• Write a blog post, or if you aren't a blogger, post to social media about the situation there. If you send me the link, I'll include your post in a post later this month.
• Grab this badge and put it on your blog or website to show that the women of Iran aren't forgotten.

•  Sign this petition. (Over 100,000 signatures so far!) -- warning graphic image on landing page
• Learn about the unjust laws women in Iran deal with. A country where alleged adultery can mean death.
• Keep talking! Tell me your ideas in the comments, or what you've done. Can't read to read your posts!