Some of The Sister Fund’s Favorite Healers

Wangari Maathai is the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Founder of the largely woman-led Green Belt Movement, an anti-deforestation campaign to plant 30 million trees across Africa, Maathai’s work is deeply tied to her Christian faith, so much so that she encourages individuals around the world to plant trees as part of their Easter celebration.

Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan is committed to both her faith in Islam and the importance of women’s and girls’ empowerment in Jordan.

On her Web site, the Queen writes that she and King Abdullah feel “women represent a vital component in our country’s growth and development” and “firmly believe that Jordan’s economy will only flourish when its population flourishes; when all of its population actively contributes to the employment market.”

Alice Shalvi is called the mother of modern Israeli feminism. She is the founding director of the Israeli Women's Network, the first female rector of the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, and a recent recipient of the Israel Prize for a lifetime of dedication to the state of Israel.

Meanwhile, she is a staunch advocate for peace, arguing that Israeli women are a powerful force for peace.

The President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, is Africa’s first elected female leader, and the world’s second elected black female head of state. She is called both the “Iron Lady” for her tough resolve and “Ma Ellen” for her sensitivity. A dedicated member of the United Methodist Church and daughter of a woman pastor, President Johnson-Sirleaf attributes her courage and her strength to her deep religious faith.

I'm most concerned with being a mother to Liberia. I want to heal the deep wounds of this nation. - President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

What would happen if progressive religious women around the world—women like Wangari Maathai, Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Alice Shalvi and President Johnson-Sirleaf—came together to form a collective force of interfaith action committed to Healing Our Time? At The Sister Fund, we are committed to finding out.