#women

Neelley Hicks

Nov 9, 2020
2 min

Newsletter 11/9/2020

Caring for Body, Mind, Spirit When times are tough, it’s even more important to focus on our wellbeing. Who we are on the inside radiates out to those around us, and can bring disturbance, chaos, or peace. Here are some apps that I use to increase my own wellbeing: Amazon Music: It comes free with an Amazon Prime membership, and there is a station called “Meditation” that I listen to as background music while I work. It lowers my energy “frequency” so I feel more relaxed and

0 views0 comments

Neelley Hicks

Sep 14, 2020
1 min

Women Arise – United States

The Reverend Sherry Cothran is leading efforts to help women triumph over trauma by bringing new understanding to sacred texts. Music, written word and artistry are just some of her instruments. Listen. The theme song, “Women Arise” was written by Sherry Cothran and Kim McLean. Watch the music video and subscribe to our YouTube channel! Read. The book, “Untamed Women” will be released on Oct 20, 2020, giving us new insight into the lives of women warriors, prophets and heal

2 views0 comments

Neelley Hicks

May 14, 2020
4 min

The Wilderness is the Way

It feels apocalyptic right now. A worldwide pandemic, a potential break-down in food distribution systems, cataclysmic weather patterns, violence, economic struggles, and now something no one expected, killer hornets! It’s enough to make us go crazy. That is, if we didn’t already have a story to guide us through. A story that tells us there is not only a way in the wilderness, but the wilderness is the way. “Stories hold the world together,” as storyteller Michael Meade has s

0 views0 comments

Neelley Hicks

May 8, 2019
2 min

Women, Arise!

[et_pb_section transparent_background=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”off” custom_width_px=”1080px” custom_width_percent=”80%” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off” fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” admin_label=”section” disabled=”off”][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”off” custom_width_px=”1080px” custom_width_percent=”80%” use_custo

1 view0 comments

Women in Leadership Spotlight: Betty Kazadi Musau, Communication for the Good of One Another

Neelley Hicks

Apr 19, 2019
4 min

Women in Leadership Spotlight: Betty Kazadi Musau, Communication for the Good of One Another

It can be hard to imagine an environment where information is not easily accessible by the entire population. In some places, individuals do not have easy access to life-saving information. It’s equally difficult to think about living in an environment where women have to teach other women that their voices matter – that they do not have to remain silent about the stigma placed against them. The heartbreaking reality is that women in many countries all over the world, includi

1 view0 comments

Women Arise Team Attends the Great Lakes Initiative Leadership Institute

Neelley Hicks

Jan 29, 2019
6 min

Women Arise Team Attends the Great Lakes Initiative Leadership Institute

The Great Lakes Initiative (GLI) Leadership Institute was held at St. Mary’s National Seminary in Ggaba, Uganda from January 6-12, 2019. A Diverse Gathering The Woman Arise Team were so happy to be part of International Christian leaders, and they came from many different parts around the world. Harper Hill Global supported Kalungi Kenneth from Uganda, Joyce Jaka from South Sudan, Judith Yanga Osongo from DR Congo, and Rev. Suzanne from DR Congo. The Leadership Institute incl

0 views0 comments

Neelley Hicks

Dec 31, 2018
2 min

2018 At a Glance

The voices of women proclaiming their value were amplified throughout a country and the world. Communicating for Equality Neelley and Bibiche Justice means more than prosecution of those who commit sexual violence. It means healing and restored dignity among survivors. In 2018, the “Women Arise” communications campaign in East Congo reached over 750,000 people with these goals in mind. “A Plea to My Father“ tells a story that echoes Bibiche‘s experience. Recently, she said, “

0 views0 comments

Neelley Hicks

Oct 3, 2018
3 min

Bibiche’s Story

Bibiche and I met about a year ago, during the “Women Arise from Stigma” workshop at the United Methodist Episcopal offices in Kindu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. She was one of three women who shared their story about being sexually assaulted and then rejected by her family. She was raped at 14 years of age when she left home to get food for the family. Four men abducted her and took her to the forest where they raped her until they heard others coming near. Left alone,

2 views0 comments

Neelley Hicks

Oct 3, 2018
2 min

A Future of Hope

Machozi (meaning “tears”) came to the Mama Lynn Center at only 14 years old – an orphan and one of the youngest victims to show up at the Center. The Women Arise from Stigma workshop had just finished when I walked outside and met her. Now part of the second official class at the Center, Machozi sits tentatively by another 14-year old whose wounds are so pronounced, she has only been able to walk again recently. Here, they both will learn that they are “God’s beloved. Nothing

8 views0 comments

Neelley Hicks

Aug 20, 2018
1 min

Join Us On The Journey!

Harper Hill Global Executive Director Neelley Hicks will join women across faith, tribal, and geographic lines for September “Women Arise from Stigma” workshops in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, focusing communications and technology that spreads the message: You are God’s beloved. Nothing and no one can take that from you. This unprecedented work emanates from The United Methodist Church in eastern DR Congo taking a stand against traditions that shun women who’

2 views0 comments

“Giving Hope to the Hopeless”: The Mama Lynn Center for Congolese Women

Neelley Hicks

Aug 6, 2018
2 min

“Giving Hope to the Hopeless”: The Mama Lynn Center for Congolese Women

Written by Quinn Needham, Neelley Hicks, ed. Special thanks to Lynn McAlilly, Bishop Gabriel Yemba and Judith Osongo. Turning a Dream into a Reality In June of 2016, the East Congo Episcopal Area officially teamed up with the Tennessee, Memphis, and California Pacific Annual Conferences and began developing the Mama Lynn Center for Congolese Women. Now, just two years later, the three annual conferences have raised enough money to surpass the center’s initial fundraising goal

0 views0 comments

Northern Nigeria: Rape, Stigma, and the Unfolding Story

Neelley Hicks

Aug 6, 2018
3 min

Northern Nigeria: Rape, Stigma, and the Unfolding Story

Written by Irmiya Jenis Manni and Victor Babbage; edited by Quinn Needham. A Call to Action IN NORTHERN NIGERIA, the scars from the Boko Haram abductions and the #bringbackourgirls are barely healed while other deep-set scars go barely noticed. These scars come from the senseless sexual violence against the defenseless girl-child, young women, their mothers, and the severe rape induced trauma the rape victims survive afterwards. This is a call for other stakeholders to help v

2 views0 comments

Changing the World, One Society at a Time

Neelley Hicks

May 29, 2018
1 min

Changing the World, One Society at a Time

By Philippe Lolonga, Harper Hill Global Correspondent, Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo “As members of the church, we are compelled to confront the issue of rape and stigma. We can no longer cross our arms and stand idly by!” — Bishop Gabriel Unda The words of United Methodist Bishop Gabriel Unda are becoming more pointed as he continues to rally support to end rape and violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the family-destroying stigmatiza

0 views0 comments

Neelley Hicks

May 15, 2018
3 min

Overcoming A Societal Cancer

Correspondent Irmiya Jenis Manni reports on the United Methodist Women of Northern Nigeria’s Women Arise campaign. Societal Rejection Stigmatization is a cancer that has been spreading within society throughout the world. It is a degrading attitude that discredits a person or group because of illness, deformity, color, tribe, nationality, religion, etc. It is said to be as old as man since it was present in early days when health issues like leprosy resulted in exile. HIV and

0 views0 comments

Neelley Hicks

Apr 10, 2018
2 min

Arise: A Message for All

New Hope During these past few weeks, it seems like everything in Nashville is just beginning to bloom. White blossoms adorn the Bradford pears, the grass is green and lush, and a cluster of yellow daffodils have emerged in front of my mailbox. The sunshine provides a stark contrast to the cold, gray winter behind us. With Easter season still on the mind, I reflect on the symbolism that these signs of spring offer for new life and for hope—themes that also run deeply in the w

2 views0 comments

Neelley Hicks

Apr 2, 2018
1 min

Women Arise from Stigma

“Women Arise from Stigma” is a campaign originated in Kindu, Democratic Republic of the Congo to help women claim the fullness of their identity in God: beloved and able; fierce and bold; from different places, yet from one tribe. Resources (available in English, French, Swahili, +). Contact info@harperhill.global to request. A Plea to My Father animation to overcome stigma by Harper Hill Global, Chocolate Moose Media, WiseHeart Foundation. “A Plea to My Father” Drama and Dr

2 views0 comments

Neelley Hicks

Mar 8, 2018
2 min

Esther – Symbol of “Women Arise”

written by Judith Osongo Yanga (français) March is a special month dedicated to women worldwide. The Congolese woman and The United Methodist Church, in particular, are pleased with March 8 each year. The situation of the woman in our country, especially the eastern part of the Congo, presents some challenges. The country’s situation exposes the eastern Congo woman, bringing us many cases of rape of women and children in this part of the country. “Coordination of women throug

0 views0 comments

Neelley Hicks

Mar 2, 2018
3 min

Women Arise in Nigeria

Correspondent Daniel Garba reports on the Northern Nigeria United Methodist Women’s Convention screening of “A Plea to My Father” (shown for the first time in Hausa language). Also see Editor’s note below. “A Plea to My Father” was shown on Saturday, 17th February 2018, at around 9 pm Nigeria time. It was really a wonderful moment for over 2,000 women that watched the animation, because it is a heart touching animation! When the animation had been watched, the Women’s Preside

2 views0 comments

A Display of Hope for East Congo Survivors of Sexual Violence

Neelley Hicks

Jan 3, 2018
3 min

A Display of Hope for East Congo Survivors of Sexual Violence

By Judith Osongo Yanga: Director of Communication, East Congo United Methodist Church The Problem of Rape and Stigma The eastern area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo where one finds our Episcopal region is well-known for numerous troubles from militants or rebels, who often rape women and children. Being innocent and vulnerable these victims are abandoned by their own family, in particular by their husbands. There are many reasons for this, and all of them contribute

1 view0 comments

How Faith Leaders Can Achieve Greater Inclusion

Neelley Hicks

Oct 31, 2017
3 min

How Faith Leaders Can Achieve Greater Inclusion

By Rev. Dr. Betty Kazadi Musau* – Democratic Republic of the Congo Thank you very much, Jean Duff (Partnership for Faith & Development) & Harper Hill Global, for supporting my attendance at the important event, “Localizing Response to Humanitarian Need: The Role of Religions and Faith-Based Organizations.” Within my context as a clergywoman living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one issue discussed particularly spoke to me: issues of violence against women and childr

0 views0 comments