By Barbra Barrar, ONE Congressional District Leader NJ-1
This past Sunday New York and New Jersey ONE members had the opportunity to attend Senator Menendez’s 5th Annual Women’s History Month Celebration at Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey. This is an annual event to honor trailblazing women in New Jersey for their exceptional achievements. It was a great event in correlation to ONE’s latest campaign to empower women and girls, #PovertyIsSexist.
This year’s keynote speaker was Senator Kristen Gillibrand from New York. We had the chance to speak with both senators regarding the bi-partisan Electrify Africa Act and the importance of access to reliable electricity in the fight against extreme poverty. Businesses, hospitals, schools, and homes all need access to reliable electricity. We presented Senator Menendez with a stack of postcards, written by New Jersey ONE members, in support of Electrify Africa and let him know that we are looking forward to the re-introduction of the bill, after having come so close to passing it during the last congress.
During the program, Senator Menendez’s remarks touched on the importance of empowering women and girls, not just in New Jersey and the United States, but around the world. Senator Menendez noted that 80% of farming in African countries is done by women, despite the fact that they generally can’t own the land they farm. He also mentioned how vital it is that girls are educated. Education provides them with so many more opportunities to lift themselves out of poverty. We must continue to invest in foreign assistance and development not only because it’s the right thing to do, but it’s also what is best for the United States. People trapped in extreme poverty are far more likely to be influenced by radical groups, so by investing in proven programs that help lift people out of extreme poverty, we are helping to protect our national security.
It was a wonderful afternoon and an important reminder of just how very important women and girls are throughout the world!
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