Event Co-Sponsored with Glamour Magazine
March 8, 2007 – International Women’s Day
New York, NY

"I want my daughters to say that their mother contributed at least a little grain of sand to make abortion legal in all forms.  Someone told me I was a revolutionary woman.  And I think she's right."
-Marta, Colombia

On March 8, 2007, IWHC and Glamour Magazine co-sponsored "The Story of My Body." Featuring stories from IWHC's partners and allies, the evening gave voice to women's personal experiences around the world.

Stories were narrated by Jane Krakowski, Padma Lakshmi, Julianne Nicholson, and Tracee Ellis Ross, with a musical performance by Suzanne Vega.

Gungor's Story (From Women for Women's Human Rights, Turkey)

performed by Padma Lakshmi

Lizzie Jennings, Susan Fulwiler, Kati Marton, Beth Fredrick, Adrienne Germain, and Kate Gellert. Photo: Matt Carasella, PatrickMcMullan.com

Married six months after her first period, Gungor gave birth for the first time at age 15. On her wedding night, 11 people waited in the room for proof that she was indeed a virgin. Later in life, Gungor began to think about sexual health and rights differently, through work with the organization Women for Women's Human Rights, Turkey . IWHC has supported WWHR-New Ways since 1998.

>Click here to read Gungor's story.

Emilia's Story (From Girls' Power Initiative, Nigeria)

performed by Tracee Ellis Ross

Emilia is a teenager living in Calabar, Nigeria, where female genital mutilation is customary as girls reach puberty. After joining the Girls' Power Initiative (GPI),  Emilia came to realize that this ritual was a form of mutilation and a reflection of women's inferior status. Through educating her parents and her community, she was able to save herself and her younger sister from the procedure. IWHC has supported GPI since its creation in 1994.

>Click here to read Emilia's story.

Anita's Story (From SANGRAM, India)

performed by Julianne Nicholson

At 16 years old, Anita followed in the footsteps of her mother and became a devdasis, or sex worker. She ultimately became HIV-positive and lost her beloved child to pneumonia three months after it was born. The organization SANGRAM supported her and arranged for her to receive anti-retroviral treatments. Now, she works with SANGRAM to support others living with HIV/AIDS and to empower more devdasis to use condoms. IWHC made its first grant to SANGRAM in 2006.  

>Click here to read Anita's story.

Marta's Story (From Women's Link Worldwide, Colombia)

performed by Jane Krakowski

Marta is a 34-year-old mother of three children and was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the inception of her fourth pregnancy. Because there was a total abortion ban in Colombia, Marta was unable to receive an abortion that would have enabled her to undergo chemotherapy to save her life. A young Colombian attorney, Monica Roa, filed a lawsuit with Colombia's highest court and won, thereby legalizing abortion in Colombia. Although happy about the verdict, it comes too late for Marta. Her cancer is now inoperable. She is spending her final months seeking donations so her children will have a place to live and an education.

>Click here to read Marta's story in English.
>Click here to read Marta's story in Spanish.

It was with great sadness that IWHC learned of the passing of Marta Solay in June 2007. She was an undeniably courageous woman whose impact will be felt for decades to come by the women of Colombia, Latin America, and  the world. For more information about Marta and how you can support her legacy, please email info@womenslinkworldwide.org.

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