Nujood Ali

Thanks to Sister Florita for the suggestion of I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced. This is the story of Nujood Ali, the first bride in Yemen to win a divorce. Hailed by Hillary Clinton as "one of the greatest women I have ever seen," Nujood was named a Glamour Woman of the Year in 2008.

In Nujood's words: "I'm a simple village girl who has always obeyed the orders of my father and brothers. Since forever, I have learned to say yes to everything. Today I have decided to say no."

From the back cover of the book: " Nujood Ali's childhood came to an abrupt end in 2008 when her father arranged for her to be married to a man three times her age. With harrowing directness, Nujood tells of abuse at her husband's hands and of her daring escape. With the help of local advocates and the press, Nujood obtained her freedom -- an extraordinary achievement in Yemen, where almost half of all girls are married under the legal age. Nujood's courageous defiance of both Yemeni customs and her own family have inspired other young girls in the Middle East to challenge their marriages. Hers is an unforgettable story of tragedy, triumph, and courage."

Human Trafficking and the World Cup

Julie Tanner is the Assistant Director of Socially Responsible Investing for Christian Brothers Investment Services, a leader in Catholic socially responsible investing worldwide. She has written an editorial regarding the potential for human trafficking at the World Cup in South Africa. Click here to read the editorial.

Combating Sex Tourism During 2010 World Cup

Social Funds, the largest personal finance site devoted to socially responsible investing, has reported on the efforts by Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS) to ask hotels in South Africa and internationally to help prevent the sexual exploitation of children and other human trafficking crimes. Click here to read the coverage.

Prostitutes Flock to South Africa Ahead of the World Cup

Click here to read the article from the Christian Science Monitor regarding prostitution and the world cup in South Africa. Here's a preview:

As with the 2006 World Cup in Germany, a rampant sex trade is of concern to human rights groups ahead of the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, which kicks off next month. Prostitutes, many from impoverished Zimbabwe, are arriving to cash in on an estimated 500,000 visiting fans.

Human Trafficking and the World Cup

The World Cup begins in South Africa on June 11. As we know from previous experience, this brings with it an enormous risk of human trafficking. So often, we ask, "What can we do?" when faced with such huge challenges. See below for what has been done and what you can do:

• In April, Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS) sent a letter to hotels to encourage action against human trafficking in advance of the World Cup. More than 300 faith-based organizations and investors joined together to raise their voices against exploitation of women and children. Click here to see the letter that was sent. To date, responses have not yet been received from Best Western, Hyatt, Hilton, Starwood (including Westin and Sheraton), and NH hotels. Congratulations to Accor, Carlson, and Intercontinental, who have responded.
• If you are traveling to South Africa for the World Cup, click here to find a letter you might take with you to present at your hotel.
• If you are planning a stay at any of the hotels that haven't yet responded to this plea (no matter where in the world they might be), click here for a letter you might take with you to explain why this would be a good initiative for that corporation.

More on Your Carbon Footprint

We continue with our simple suggestions for reducing our carbon footprint:

Reduce the use of disposables (such as bottled water, dinnerware, prepackaged foods); install long-life, energy-saving CFL bulbs; purchase energy-saving appliances; adjust thermostats and water heater temperatures; practice carpooling; combine errands.

What do you think? Can you choose one of these to do consistently?

Abortion in a Catholic Hospital?

According to the Catholic News Agency, Bishop of Phoenix, Thomas J. Olmsted is "gravely concerned" after learning that an abortion took place at a Catholic hospital in his diocese. The abortion was performed last year after the mother, who was 11 weeks pregnant at the time, presented to St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoeniz, with severe pulmonary hypertension. This serious condition limits heart and lung function and can be fatal in pregnancy. While the ethics committee of the hospital ruled that the abortion was necessary, Bishop Olmsted's official statement, issued May 14, 2010, explains, "I am gravely concerned by the fact that an abortion was perfomed several month ago at a Catholic hospital in the Diocese. . . . While medical professionals should certainly try to save a pregnant mother's life, the means by which they do it can never be directly killing her unborn child. The end does not justify the means."

The website of the Diocese of Phoenix contains resources and information regarding the situation at St. Joseph's Hospital. Also, stay in formed regarding what the secular press is saying. These are the things that most people read and comment upon. These are the things that require our vigilance in knowing the facts and responding in love. For example, follow the story in The Arizona Sun to see how the Phoenix local media presents the story.