By Ayaan Hirsi Ali

To be a woman growing up in Afghanistan under the Taliban and to survive is in itself a major feat.

To be so lucky as to become literate in a place where girls are shrouded and denied even fresh air is close to a miracle.

Susan notes: this introduction of US President Obama by Lisa Marie Iyotte is easily one of the bravest pieces of public speaking I have ever seen. It brought tears to my eyes. I was also impressed by the President's compassion and patience: he simply stood there with her, letting her be in the moment, fully experiencing her story as she told it.

February 9, 2010, update from the Dubai Today show (weekdays 09:00 - 12:00 on Dubai 103.8):

Jessica Swann, broadcaster extraordinaire, and Mohammed Parham Awadhi, co-founder of Wild Peeta, interview 27-year-old Elham Al Qasimi, a United Arab Emirates National woman who intends to be become the first United Arab Emirates National, and thus also the first UAE National WOMAN, and the first Arab woman, to attempt reaching the North Pole unassisted and unsupported.

Article by Rachel Vasquez.

As she ran down the aisle, away from the man standing at the altar, cries of horror and embarrassment filled the air.

Her grandmother fainted when she discarded her veil, his parents held each other in disbelief, and the sound of the officiant’s bible hitting the floor echoed through the great Church’s abbey.

The bride is Brenna Smith, and that is a reoccurring nightmare she’s had plague her dreams for as long as she can remember.

From CNN

Thousands of women demonstrated Monday in front of Yemen's foreign ministry in the capital, Sanaa, demanding U.N. intervention in the ongoing unrest in the Persian Gulf nation, residents and eyewitnesses said.

The protest comes a day after the first woman was killed in a demonstration against the government, according to opposition activists.

From The Freshoutlook

Officials agree to pave 163-year-old horse trail in romote Columbian town, ending three-month ‘crossed legs’ protest led by town’s women.

On June 22, around 300 women went on a three-month and 19-day strike; refusing to have sex with their partners until the government decided to pave the first half of the town’s horse trail.

Susan notes: this piece was originally posted in March 2011. It's now October 2011, and Maria is once again trying to raise money for "her kids," and The Dhaka Project - this time with a trek to Everest.

“The North Pole is out of my element, comfort zone and character, but there are people far worse off every day of their lives, compared to what I will go through for a few days.”