Women's progress is global progress. Where there is an increase in women's university enrollment rates, women's earnings, and maternal health, and a reduction in violence against women, we see more prosperous communities, better educated, healthier families, and the preservation of equal human rights. Yet globally, women remain the most consistently under-utilized resource. Vital Voices calls for and makes possible transformative leadership around the world.
In Vital Voices, CEO Alyse Nelson shares the stories of remarkable, world-changing women, as well as the story of how Vital Voices was founded, crossing lines that typically divide. For 15 years, Vital Voices has brought together women who want to enable others to become change agents in their governments, advocates for social justice, and supporters of democracy. They equip women with management and business development skills to expand their enterprises and create jobs in their communities. Their voices, stories, and hard-earned lessons—shared here for the first time—are deeply authentic and truly vital.
Through the firsthand accounts of trail-blazing leaders, Vital Voices introduces unforgettable, inspiring women who are shaping our world.
"When a child says, 'Give me back my soul,' I translate it into 'Give me justice.'"
"When it comes to women's rights or human rights, in Pakistan there is a kind of a culture of silence. It was very important that some sort of a movement based on media should somehow start that would challenge the mindset or that would help in breaking the silence."
Cameroon
"I believe in people's innate ability to succeed. I believe that success is defined by ourselves and is within each and every one of us. The job of a leader or a facilitator or a politician is to help people define success for themselves, identify the ways in which they can succeed, what they need to do to succeed, and to accompany them along the road to that success."