Black Women Unite to Prevent the Abduction and Exploitation of Children

On October 25, 1997, Patrice was only 2 years old when her aunt, an African American woman, carried her a mile down Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the City of Brotherly Love. Patrice was on her way to take her place in history and join in celebration of sisterhood at the first Million Woman March.

Ten years later, seeing pictures of this historic occasion doesn't help Patrice recall the specific events of the special rainy Saturday afternoon when she and women of the African diaspora came from all over the world to Philadelphia, PA to unite and fulfill their collective mission of sharing mutual love and respect.

"Bringing together an estimated 2.5 million participants in Philly, over a 3 day period, the Million Woman March (MWM) demonstrated not only the capability and brilliance of African-centered self-determination and creativity, but MWM's actual and potential power," according to the Million Woman March official website.

Not everyone thinks that the location for this pivotal anniversary event lives up to its name, "Philadelphia". "So far this year, more than one person a day has been killed, most of them in southwest Philadelphia," reports CBS News correspondent Bianca Solorzano. Despite the current growing concern over the violence in Philadelphia and many other American towns, Patrice says that she feels protected. When questioned about the murder rate and whether or not she feels safe in Philadelphia, Patrice shrugs and says, "I feel loved and cared for here."

Unlike many of the world's children, early in her life Patrice was prepared to be part of the inner sanctum of community support and encouragement. Members of these communities, comprised of immediate family, neighbors, aunts, uncles, and cousins, remind children through consistent active participation in their lives that they are loved and jointly responsible for their own positive growth and that of the world around them. Nutured with love and respect, Patrice is almost oblivious to the fact that many children have never experienced genuine love and concern.

During the 10 year anniversary of the Million Woman March, part of the the mission is to spread the support that Patrice feels to children of African descent worldwide. With Darfur and the most violent (yet still somehow the most ignored) areas of America as the focal points for comprehensive healing, the MWM participants have taken action to change their communities in order to change the world. The MWM's goal is to solve the problem of violence at its core.

The Controversy: Is History Repeating Itself?

As was the case in 1997, it has been reported that this year's MWM event is not being supported by its host city.

"Philadelphia City Council, the Mayor's Office, State Representatives, community and union leaders have all received much information (about the March) and just as was the case 10 years ago, most have not responded in a way that is warranted. Keep in mind that, I was a National Co-Convener of the Million More Movement in 2005 in Washington DC (10 year anniversary of the Million Man March) and when I spoke there I announced at that time that I would convene the MWM X in October 2007. Thus the MWM groups nationwide will begin to distribute information throughout their communities. I also have LCC (Local Coordinating Committees) in several states/cities including NY, Atlanta, Boston, Cali, Delaware, Detroit, etc. Rest assured, with what is being planned (and has been worked on for sometime now) it will indeed empower and uplift our sisters like never before, regenerate and ready our communities and the REAL Movement, and do (honor) our Ancestors well," reported the founder and convener of Million Woman March, Empress Chi (Sister Phile' Chionesu) during an email interview.

At the time this article was written, the Philadelphia Mayor's office was contacted for comment regarding their support, but did not indicate whether or not they are in favor of this endeavor.

From March to Movement

In 1997, the MWM's theme was Repentance, Resurrection, and Restoration. During the upcoming MWM Resurrection Reunion, the theme is From March to Movement. MWM Chapters and Local Coordinating Committees (LCC's) have been formed nationwide and internationally in preparation for the month long of activities and special events that will take place in October 2007. Some Coordinators will also play a role in the further development of the MW Movement. The Million Woman March 10 Year Anniversary (special events and activities) promises to be the biggest gathering of women on the globe. It is expected to unify women from all walks of life. Activists, professionals, workers, organizers, artist, mothers, grandmothers, and daughters together in observance and official movement initiation (The International Million Woman Movement). MWM will also hold a mass 10 year anniversary Reunion Celebration Rally and Gathering where thousands will assemble under the banner of respect and love and will pledge to unite for Power, Prosperity, and Peace.

While October's events will again be a celebration of the greatness, contributions, and beauty of Black women worldwide, it will also be a re-discovery of hope from antiquity to present day and an acknowledgement of the diverse cultures, traditions, and legacies from which the participants have come. This will be a celebration of the incredible "Black Women Sheroes Walk of Fame Presentation". Drill teams, floats, marching bands, costumes, drum batteries, dance troops, celebrity motorcades, and market places will once again line the streets of the City of Brotherly Love. But, the missions are clear....

Mission I: Preventing the abduction and exploitation of children

According to the FBI, of the 662,196 children lost in 2005, 33% were Black, 58% were girls. This disproportionately high percentage surprised advocates for missing children.

"These are very interesting and important statistics," said sociologist David Finkelhor, director of the Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire. "This shows a pretty dramatic overrepresentation of black kids."

During this year's commemoration of the Million Woman March, the focus is on building a national network to help find Black children. This event's mission is to bring millions together (in person, via internet and other media); and at that time, formally initiate the first global movement on behalf of women and girls of African descent.

As a part of the MWM X Reunion 2007 and the platform for the International Million Woman Movement, the MWM "Kidnapped Missing/Runaway Children Watch & Action Alert" project is being prepared and will soon be launched nationwide to implement ongoing and pro-active work for this much needed grassroots network.

As of August of 2007, MWM has posted and distribute information and pictures of Black children throughout communities in the effort to obtain additional information, leads, and to find as many children as possible.

Mission II: The MWM Evolution
In The Black
Three years ago, the national office of the Million Woman March announced several new membership components that were being prepared for the entire African/Black extended family community and that would be added to the new MWM "Five Year Action Plan * 2" and universal movement operations being released worldwide in October 2007.

This new membership component of the International Million Woman Movement consists of African/Black businesses, services, and products. This membership will provide information, support mechanisms, marketing, distribution, etc. for those who believe in self-determination, quality, and the need to have better control and administration of (Black) dollars.

The MWM In The Black membership focuses on real monetary growth, financial development, business and purchasing intellect, and substantial success. MWM In The Black members will also have the opportunity to engage in collective interactions such as local, national, and International venture and investments. The In The Black membership cadre is also a socially conscience entity and thus will provide assistance in youth entrepreneurship development and training, small start-up business loans, scholarships, and other community related interactions for Black empowerment.

The BBB-Co
The BBB-Co is one of the new "practical unity" membership components of the National Million Woman March that consists of beauticians, braiders, barbers, and cosmetologists. With a primary focus on the beauty trade and personal care industry from a historical perspective, conscientious mode, and commitment to freedom and justice, the BBB-Co Collective is a tribute to Madam C.J. Walker and Steven Biko.

The focus of this very unique membership is to not only progressively connect this traditional, always visible, and viable self-determination entity embraced in Black communities, nationwide, but to also increase the actual productivity, overall benefits, and manufacturing representation of people of African descent in the beauty trade/industry. The BBB-Co membership/collective will offer scholarships, apprenticeships, have exclusive access to selected MWM merchandise and other increase sales incentives. The BBB-Co is designed to, ultimately, establish the nationwide distribution of beauty and health related products at competitive prices, and in many cases, discounted to our members. The BBB-Co will introduce and showcase new products through its membership network and utilize this power base to raise the practical consciousness and needed increased operational unity in our communities.

Both memberships provide official membership cards, product discounts, reduced rates for MWM, affiliates events, activities, collective purchasing possibilities, networking, product/service development information, print and/or internet advertising exposure/listings, exclusive releases, invitations, and more.

To obtain an official MWM 2007-8 Coordinators Application Form or for more information contact mwmsistahood@aol.com; Or, National Million Woman March, PO Box 53668, Philadelphia, PA 19105. Check the Million Woman March website to stay abreast of this event.

Sources
"Women gather for show of unity" CNN

The Million Woman March website

"FBI issues statistics on missing children" Seattlepi.com website

Email interview with the founder and convener of Million Woman March, Empress Chi (Sister Phile' Chionesu)