The Alternative Press

Interweave has joined forces with Jackie Shepard, a Summit High School freshman, to promote the Half the Sky Movement in the greater Summit area and beyond.

The goal of Half the Sky is to ignite change that will end the oppression of women and girls worldwide. Inspired by journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's book of the same name, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide brings together video, websites, games, blogs and other educational tools to raise awareness of women’s issues and to empower women worldwide.

The film series premiered in the United States in October of 2012 and is now being broadcast internationally. Shot in 10 countries: Cambodia, Kenya, India, Sierra Leone, Somaliland, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Liberia and the United States, the documentary introduces women and girls who are living under the most difficult circumstances imaginable — and fighting bravely to change them. Through the eyes of intrepid reporter Nicholas Kristof and A-list celebrity advocates such as America Ferrera, Diane Lane, Eva Mendes, Meg Ryan, Gabrielle Union and Olivia Wilde, the film documents viable and sustainable options for empowerment and offers an actionable blueprint for transformation.

After watching the first broadcast of the film, Jackie noted, “I could not get this film out of my mind.  I thought it was masterfully done and each of the amazing and courageous individuals that were highlighted made me want to help.  Thinking about the oppression of millions of young girls- some my age, some even younger- and what they have to endure every day, drove me to reach out to the Half the Sky Movement.  We study globalization in school and this documentary hit home for me.  Globalization does not mean only studying economically viable and trade worthy societies with well-established judicial systems.  To me, globalization also means studying the underbelly of our world.  We must understand the Third World nations that do not offer education to girls: nations that allow girls to be sold into sex trade at very young ages; societies where there is no hope of finding a viable economic solution to crushing poverty. I want every student and adult in my community see this film and learn how we as individuals and as community can impact the lives of others.”

Shortly thereafter, Jackie reached out to The Half the Sky Movement and became a Community Ambassador.  In search of a community partner, she approached Janet Haag of Interweave. A central component of this organization’s mission is to promote the common good so Interweave is pleased to work with Jackie to engage the residents of the greater Summit area in this global charitable movement. Jackie is also a Fundraising Team Member for Shining Hope for Communities, one of Half the Sky’s featured nonprofits. This particular group, Jackie’s personal favorite, combats gender inequality and extreme poverty in the Kieran slum of Nairobi, Kenya and links free schools for girls to accessible social services for all.

If you are interested in the Half the Sky Movement and would like to view or host a screening of the film series or become involved in other ways, please contact Jackie Shepard at noelshepard@comcast.net or follow Jackie on Facebook,  https://www.facebook.com/jackie.shepard.3386 or Twitter, https://twitter.com/shepard_jackie

You may also contact Janet Haag at Interweave, 908-277-2120, or via email, janet@interweave.org.